A whole year after MWA learned about lead pollution in Blue Hole Creek in Forbes State Forest, this once-pristine stream remains contaminated with lead and heavy metals. Yet the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) has not issued a consent order to Highland Ventures, LLC. Lead pollution is hard to fix, and Blue Hole Creek may be ruined forever.
Early this spring, DEP spokesman Brandon Glass told Outdoor News that the investigation into the pollution is ongoing and DEP “cannot comment on settlement discussions.”
Glass also said that Highlands Ventures removed debris from the ranges and started sampling the area. MWA also received reports that several dumpsters showed up at the old airport near the shooting range. These may have been filled with dirt and spent shot wads from the range.
Meanwhile, we’ve continued sampling in the creek. Lead is still an issue – our latest water test revealed lead at a concentration of 336 parts per billion in the portion of Blue Hole that crosses the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. In headwater streams, there should be no detectable level of lead. We’ve also found other metals including cadmium, aluminum, zinc, and manganese.
Healthy streams should also have a wide variety of insects in the water. Bugs are the building blocks of all life, providing food for fish, birds, turtles, and more. Species that are sensitive to pollution (like caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies) can also tell us if the creek is dirty or clean. Our team recently looked for bugs in Blue Hole Creek to see if it still supports life. Results aren’t in yet, but we’re not optimistic based on preliminary findings.
Warning signs remain up on the Laurel Highlands Trail and at the swimming hole on Blue Hole Road. Blue Hole Creek, which was once an Exceptional Value waterway, is now listed as impaired by the DEP. Citing impairment, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission board voted in January to stop stocking Blue Hole Creek with trout.
In July 2025, Highlands Ventures received a notice of violation for failing to comply with federally outlined Shooting Range Stewardship Best Management Practices. We hoped to see a consent order shortly after that, which would have enforceable obligations, deadlines, reporting requirements, and possible civil penalties. Yet nothing has happened.
MWA wasn’t the first to report issues in the creek. DEP received complaints about impacts caused from Highlands Sporting Clays as early as 2021, and water quality testing showed contamination in 2023.
“The DEP should have taken action long ago,” says Eric Harder, Youghiogheny Riverkeeper.
Now we’re demanding the PA DEP to hold Highland Ventures accountable for ruining this beloved natural resource. The ongoing pollution in this key headwater stream has been devastating to our mountain community.
Blue Hole Creek deserves protection and fast action to fix the harm that has been done. We urge the DEP to issue a consent order to Highland Ventures, LLC.
You can help! Click this link to send your own letter!