On March 9, 2024, the Huntingdon Daily News reported the Coalition to Save Old Crow Wetland has appealed DEP's Chapter 105 permit for a new Rutters convenience store in Smithfield Township to the Environmental Hearing Board.  [Docket No. 2024061]

On January 31, 2024, DEP issued an individual NPDES Stormwater Permit to M&G Realty, Inc. for the construction of Rutter’s Store #93 in Smithfield Township, Huntingdon County.

A local citizens group-- Coalition to Save Old Crow Wetland-- expressed concerns about the construction project contaminating the Old Crow Wetland Mitigation Area right next to the construction site.  Read more here.

On November 27, 2023, DEP announced it signed a consent assessment with M&G Realty, Inc. and Curry Excavating, Inc. that included a $73,153 penalty for water quality violations and failure to implement erosion and sedimentation controls at the 20-acre construction site for a Rutter's Store in Antis Township, Blair County.

The solicitor for Smithfield Township announced the land use plan for the Rutters store is being sent back to the Township and Huntingdon County for an "updated review" before coming back to the township supervisors for an approval decision.

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Related Article:

-- DEP Issues Contractor Permit To Construct Rutter’s Store In Huntingdon County; The Same Contractor Penalized $73,153 By DEP For Failing To Comply With Permit In Blair County  [PaEN]

Related Articles - Watersheds:

-- PennVEST To Hold Local, In-Person, Online Educational Events To Share Information On Unprecedented Water Infrastructure Funding Opportunities, Starting March 21 [PaEN]

-- Federal Office Of Mine Reclamation Opens New Round Of Watershed Cooperative Agreement Program Grants  [PaEN]

-- March 20 Penn State Extension Webinar On Defining Nature's Worth From A Health And Economic Perspective  [PaEN]

-- WeConservePA: Environmental Advisory Council Conference Smashes Attendance Records; Fall EAC Gathering Being Planned  [PaEN]

-- Interstate Commission On Potomac River Basin Publishes A New Plan For A Fresh Path Forward For The Potomac River  [PaEN]

-- Advocates For Clean Water In Delaware River Watershed Visit Capitol Hill In Washington To Urge Support Of Conservation Measures  [PaEN]

-- Stroud Water Research Center UpStream: Student Stewardship; Stream Restoration Investments; World Environmental Ed Congress; Starting A Watershed Organization; World Water Day March 22; More!  [PaEN]

-- Volunteers Needed For 24-Hour Tree Planting Relay April 5-6 Organized By The Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension, Partners Host Volunteer Tree Plantings April 13 - Lebanon County, April 16 - Lancaster County  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension, Partners Host April 16 Online Mini-Workshop - Choosing Native Plants [PaEN]

-- Penn State Master Gardeners Of Cambria County Host Dr. Doug Tallamy April 11 - Nature's Best Hope, A New Approach To Conservation That Starts In Your Yard  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension: April 8 Webinar On Private Water Supply Education And Water Testing

-- DEP Issues Violation To Blackhill Energy, LLC Shale Gas Driller For Contaminating Groundwater, 3 Water Supplies With Methane In Springfield Twp., Bradford County  [PaEN]

-- The Derrick: Public Utility Commission Starts Investigation Into Possible Order For Another Utility To Permanently Acquire Venango Water Company Impacted By Conventional Oil Well Spill [PaEN]

-- Huntingdon Daily News: Coalition To Save Old Crow Wetlands Appeals DEP Permit For New Rutters Store In Smithfield Twp. [PaEN]

-- Mountain Watershed Assn. Will Install Warning Signs Around Wastewater Outfall Of MAX Environmental Technologies Yukon Facility In Sewickley Creek, Westmoreland County  [PaEN]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Approves 30 Shale Gas Well Pad Water Use General Permits In Bradford, Clearfield, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wyoming Counties  [PaEN]

-- Earth Conservancy, Industrial Archives & Library Announce Landmark Agreement To Preserve, Provide Access To Key Piece Of America’s Anthracite Coal History - Glen Alden Coal’s Records  [PaEN]  [Played A Key Role In PA Environmental History]

NewsClips - Watersheds:

-- Outdoor News - Ben Moyer: PA’s West Branch Susquehanna Watershed Now Has Wild Trout After Water Quality Improvements

-- Gazette Leader: New Report Details Water Challenges Across Potomac River Basin

-- Reading Eagle: PA Environmental Officials Visit Carsonia Park To See Planned Antietam Valley Watershed Upgrades

-- The Daily Item: Turtle Creek Restoration Project In East Buffalo Twp., Union County Will Continue In July

-- LancasterOnline: Solanco Students Help Restore Hickory Trees To Lancaster City

-- Chestnut Hill Local: Friends Of Wissahickon Receive $356,000 State Grant For Restoration

-- Forests For The Chesapeake Bay: 24-Hour Tree Planting Relay; Vernal Pools Video; What’s Poppin; Events Around The Watershed

-- Observer-Reporter: Water Quality Problems Return For East Dunkard Water System Customers In Greene County 

-- Penn State Growing Impact Podcast Examines PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contamination, Evaluation Of Existing Tech

-- Delaware RiverKeeper March 15 RiverWatch Video Report

-- TribLive: Water Use Restrictions Lifted As Beaver Run Reservoir Levels Return To Normal In Westmoreland

[Posted: March 11, 2024]

3/18/2024