COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Helen Humphreys, Department of Environmental Protection Southwest Regional Office
DEP Penalizes Range Resources $141,175 for Spill in High Quality Waterway
PITTSBURGH -- The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Range Resources $141,175 for an Oct. 6, 2009, spill of fluids from a gas drilling operation that killed fish and aquatic life in a high-quality waterway in Hopewell Township, Washington County.
Approximately 250 barrels of diluted frac fluids were released from a broken joint in a transmission line and flowed into an unnamed tributary of Brush Run. At least 168 small fish, primarily creek chubs and blacknose dace, and some salamanders and frogs were killed.
Brush Run is designated as a high-quality, warmwater fishery under the state’s special protection waters program, which protects waterways that feature a rich and diverse aquatic life population due to the quality of the water.
In addition, Range Resources did not immediately notify DEP of the spill, a violation of its pollution, prevention and contingency Plan.
For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us or call 412.442.4000.
