DEP Finally Issues Orders on Curry Pollution

For over a year we’ve been filing complaints about extensive erosion and sedimentation issues emanating from the Curry Mine site in Dunbar Township, Fayette County (see here and here for older coverage).  We’re happy to report that as a result of our involvement, repeated complaints, and pressure, the Department of Environmental Protection’s Waterways and Wetlands Division has finally issued orders to Appalachian Timber Company, the logging company (see here), and Curry Lumber Company, the landowner (see here), requiring that the site be stabilized.  At the time of writing, some site stabilization activities were underway, however, as the orders focus on the Morgan Run side of the site, it’s unclear if E&S issues on the upstream areas– where our December 31, 2013 photographs documented excessively muddy water– are being addressed.  It’s also important to note that permanent site stabilization can take quite some time, so this is likely not the end of the story.  Stay tuned, but in the meantime, we’re grateful to the Waterways & Wetlands folks for stepping up to address this issue and protect the high-quality section of the Youghiogheny River.