Protecting Potter County water resources
Education stressed as gas boom nears

Models that present a snapshot of a typical water recharge area are being provided to Potter County schools. Planning Commission members got a look at how the models work during their November meeting. They also looked over a map that documents a water recharge area east of Coudersport.

All signs point to a rush on shallow natural gas resources in Potter County in 2008 and beyond, as well as renewed interest in the county's oil reserves. Members of the Potter County Planning Commission are concerned about the potential impact of the additional drilling activity on water resources.

At their monthly meeting last week, PCPC members heard from two hydrology experts. John McGlocklen, a retiree from the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection, detailed maps showing "recharge areas" in Potter County.

A recharge area is a location where ground water is replenished through precipitation transmitted downward to an aquifer. Judy Bear emphasized the importance of protecting recharge areas. Bear, an owner of Coudersport Well Drilling, displayed a model of a typical section of earth, with a layer of grass, then soil, some layers of clay, gravel, and finally bedrock.

By depositing dye into a simulated well, she demonstrated how contamination can spread to other wells, springs and other water sources. Similar models will be provided to area schools and to Adelphoi Village, the former Northern Tier Children's Home.

Both McGlocklen and Bear said cleaning any spills of potential contaminants is critical to protecting water resources from permanent damage. U.S. Rt. 6 passes through some sensitive aquifers, where a chemical spill could be catastrophic, they pointed out.

Other threats - in addition to drilling activity - include abandoned gas and oil wells, as well as camps and homes that have fuel oil tanks that could spill.

In other business this month, the Planning Commission:

- approved an 11,000 sq. ft. addition to the C o u d e r s p o rElementarySchool. It's part of a major upgrade that includes new classrooms, a driveway to separate traffic from the bus pickup area, relocated sidewalks and other changes.

- granted approval to another Coudersport Area School District application for improvements to the football field and track at Coudersport Area Recreation Park.

- heard from Planning Director Charlotte Dietrich that she plans to send newsletters to municipal secretaries in Potter County to keep them informed of PCPC activities.

- welcomed Deb Ostrum as an administrative employee in the Planning Office.