On December 1, 2025 the Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) permit for the Shannon Compton well pad on Kooser Road, Springfield Township, Fayette County was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The approval came on the heels of the Drill & Operate permit approval in November. In tandem, the issuance of the permits effectively greenlights the construction phase of a well pad and access road in an area relatively untouched by unconventional shale gas development.
It also marks the first development of the Point Pleasant formation in the Indian Creek watershed and development on the beloved Laurel Ridge, a known natural treasure in Pennsylvania. While many fracking operations in the region access the Marcellus Shale formation at around 5-8000’ beneath the surface, the operator, PH Masterline, plans to drill over 15,000’ deep before making a lateral movement from the pilot hole, and stretching over 10,000’ toward the Jim Mountain Quarry. The maps below show more details:
A single hydraulic fracturing operation in the Point Pleasant formation can require millions of gallons of water. This water is mixed with sand and chemical additives to create a fracking fluid that is injected under high pressure to fracture the shale and release gas. After injection, a portion of this fluid returns to the surface as flowback and produced water, which can contain high levels of salts, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and naturally occurring radioactive materials mobilized from deep underground formations.
Managing this wastewater presents significant environmental challenges. Disposal and treatment options—including transport to treatment facilities, underground injection, reuse, or solid waste disposal—carry documented risks, and there is ongoing concern about the potential for water contamination and long-term environmental harm, particularly where disposal pathways and safeguards are not clearly identified. At this stage, publicly available permit materials do not clearly outline the water sourcing or wastewater management plan for this operation.
MWA and community concerns surrounding this well pad include:
- Impacts to Buck Run, Laurel Run, Indian Creek
- Air Pollution
- Light Pollution
- Permanent destruction of an area
- Water Use
- Private water supplies: wells and springs
- Public water supplies
- Waterway impacts
- Quarry interaction
- Noise
- Truck traffic
- Waste – radioactive waste storage and placed in trucks
- Further development of laterals and shale gas development at this site
Join our January 20 Community Meeting!
While this permit has been issued, there is still much to do to advocate for our watershed, the Laurel Highlands, and private property in close proximity to the pad site. Please join MWA on Tuesday, January 20 at the Normalville Volunteer Fire Department at 6:00 PM, or via Google Meet using the information below.
We will discuss DEP’s Oil & Gas permitting process, a know-your-rights training, monitoring, legislative strategies for protection from fracking, and more. A hot meal will be provided.
Do you want a road sign? Reach out to Nate via email (nate@mtwatershed.com)! MWA will also have signs available at the community meeting on January 20.
In-Person Meeting details:
Shannon Compton Well Pad Community Meeting
Tuesday, January 20 · 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Normalville Volunteer Fire Department
3387 Springfield Pike, Normalville, PA 15469
Google Meet joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/dwi-eeoy-wka
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 315-784-6218‬ PIN: ‪811 152 440‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/dwi-eeoy-wka?pin=8778370696002