Worstell Impoundment

Date Received	Date Disposed	Site Name	Operator Name	Permit #	Coordinates	Township/Municipality	County	Wells Served	Notes
07/16/2010	11/19/2010	Worstell Impoundment – Dam Permit	RANGE RESOURCES APPALACHIA LLC	95-7-60915-12	N 40° 18` 1.46", W 80° 13` 48.4"	Cecil	Washington	149599, 149475, 148292	Permit listed as 95-7-60915-9 in PABulletin

Controversies

News reports and public interactions highlight a 2013 controversy in lack of transparency by the DEP around the Worstell Impoundment. In a series of emails published by a state representative, Jesse White, under the Pennsylvania Open Records Law, the DEP discusses issues surrounding the Worstell Impoundment and the events surrounding a non-public “public meeting” about purported wastewater spills from the impoundment. Events as discussed:

• In 2011, two spills occur (see Violations section below), which are immediately cleaned up.
• In a 2013 news report, it is stated that the Worstell impoundment had two spills and a leakage, though DEP representatives maintain that no soil was contaminated by a leakage.
• Public concern is heightened as groundwater testing reveals heightened levels of chloride, strontium, barium, and sodium.
• Range Resources Appalachia representatives clarify that the spills were erroneously reported, and there was no leakage, merely a valve failure which was immediately cleaned up and did not contaminate any soil.
• The DEP and Cecil Township representatives plan a meeting to discuss the impoundment's permits, and concerned residents of the county request to know what goes on.
• The DEP ignores or deflects multiple emails from several concerned residents, who contact their representative, Jesse White, to request a release on their behalf. The DEP maintains a level of privacy which Representative White finds concerning.

Violation History

Violation ID	Date	Violation Description	Status	Penalty Amount Paid
610141	1/28/2011	Failure to properly control or dispose of industrial or residual waste to prevent pollution of the waters of the Commonwealth.	Corrected/Abated	$26,250
610142	1/28/2011	Failure to properly store, transport, process or dispose of a residual waste.	Corrected/Abated	$26,250

Source: PA DEP eFacts.

See Also

Centralized Impoundments