Robson drill site contaminated?

OREGON TOWNSHIP — Aerial photos of the Robson drill site on Fox Hill Road, which were taken on August 20, and were submitted to The River Reporter, show a section of trees and vegetation at the south end of the drill site appear to be damaged and dying.

The activist who took the photos said that it was evident that the storage pit that was to contain the drilling fluid did not function properly, and that run-off occurred which was killing the trees. There are strict regulations as to the method the gas companies must use to collect any effluent and cart it off to be treated.

Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC, the company that owned the well, did not respond to several phone calls seeking comment.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would not comment on the matter. “It would be improper for us to comment on the photos without a thorough investigation into the matter,” said Mark Carmon of DEP. Carmon said his agency will look into the allegations.