Swihart Road Couple Expresses Concern Over Range Resources Worstell Impoundment

Kathy Bullions said she can usually walk two miles in about 20 minutes, and when she does near her Swihart Road home, she counts numerous trucks coming to and from the Range Resources Worstell wastewater impoundment.

“It’s every 30 seconds that a truck comes out,” her husband, Tom, added when the couple addressed the Cecil Township supervisors on Monday. “These trucks are coming day in and day out.”

The Bullions appeared before the supervisors to express concern about those trucks—saying that they are often seen speeding up and down their residential road.

And that’s not all that the couple said they were concerned about.

“That was supposed to be a fresh water compound,” Tom Bullion said, asking supervisors myriad questions about how the site was approved, and when it will be restored.

“Will this last forever?” he inquired.

Supervisor Andy Schrader said those were some of the reasons that the board voted in May to request a public meeting with the Department of Environmental Protection.

“I think this is a very big concern,” Schrader said. “We need DEP to come forward.”

Schrader again liked the impoundment to a “dumping ground” and said that information listed on the original dam permit for the site indicated it would be restored within nine months after the wells it serviced went into production. Schrader said he also has information that the impoundment is servicing more well sites than were listed on that original permit.

And while Schrader said he spoke personally to a DEP representative who was “standoffish” when asked about the possibility of a public meeting, township Manager Don Gennuso said no correspondence has been received by the department. He confirmed that a letter was sent to the department on May 10.

Gennuso said on Tuesday that he would draft another letter and send it—at least asking DEP to acknowledge receipt of the correspondence.

The Bullions said they hope some resolution could be attained.

“We can’t sleep at night,” Tom Bullion said. The pair also indicated they utilize a well and are concerned about the quality of water—saying they have had it tested.

“We need to put some pressure on DEP,” Schrader said. In the meantime, Gennuso said he would contact Range Resources to discuss what can be done about the alleged speeding trucks on Swihart.

Supervisor Elizabeth Cowden also recommended that the Bullions try to take a picture of the trucks’ license plates.

“That person will lose their job,” she said.

A voicemail left on the cell phone of Range Resources spokesman Matt Pitzarella seeking further information was not returned Tuesday.

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