MEETING TO DISCUSS HOW TO SPEND $3.5M
Group to identify projects to improve Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission will hold a public meeting concerning the Norfolk Southern settlement at 11 am Wednesday at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' office in Emporium.

The meeting is in response to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's natural resources damage settlement received from Norfolk Southern in November 2007 to resolve the rail company's liability for a June 2006 derailment that occurred at the Cameron/McKean county line.

The derailment caused three railcars of a train operated by Norfolk Southern to spill some 40,000 gallons of liquid sodium hydroxide into wetlands at the head of Big Fill Run, Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek, and the Driftwood Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek. The release of liquid sodium hydroxide contaminated soils, sediments, surface water, groundwater, and wetlands, and killed or injured fish and other aquatic life and terrestrial plant and animal life.

As part of the agreement, Norfolk Southern will pay $3,675,000 to the Fish and Boat Commission. A portion of the settlement - $93,000 - will be used to reimburse the commission for costs incurred investigating and responding to the accident. The remainder will be desposited into an interest-bearing, restricted revenue account that can be used only for the development and implementation of projects that benefit recreational fishing and boating and the aquatic resources of Cameron, Potter, McKean, and Elk counties.

Projects in the Sinnemahoning Creek Watershed upstream of the confluence with the First Fork of Sinnemahoning Creek will be worked on initially.

A local stakeholder group will provide input regarding the best ways to mitigate impacts stemming from the sodium hydroxide spill. Projects that will be considered include, but are not limited to, acid mine drainage abatement; habitat protection, enhancement and restoration; the acquisition of properties for public fishing and access and improvements to existing access areas; and aquatic inventories.

The public is encouraged to participate in the project planning process by attending Wednesday's meeting.