DEP: Day 545 And Counting: Seneca Resources Continues To Release Wastewater, Frack New Shale Gas Wells At Taft Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County

On April 21, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Seneca Resources Co LLC Taft 851 shale gas well pad in Middlebury Township, Tioga County and found evidence of continuing wastewater spills at the site.

The inspector field screened and took samples from puddles of water on the pad, at a water outfall from the pad, from liquid flowing into the southeast corner of the sediment basin and from liquid flowing from the sediment basin, past the last filter sock and off the permit area for the pad.

"DEP recommends that Seneca continues to monitor the conditions on the pad surface and the sediment basin and remove elevated conductance fluids and soils as discovered. Prevent elevated conductance fluids from leaving the facility and causing pollution to the waters of the Commonwealth."

Violations originally issued for wastewater releases on October 23, 2024 were continued.

These conditions have now continued for 545 days without abatement.

DEP did not request a written follow-up from Seneca in the inspection report.

DEP found similar conditions-- spills, crews trying to clean up the pad while drilling new shale gas wells-- starting October 23, 2024, then on  July 11, 2025,  August 21, 2025, October 2, 2025,  October 31, 2025, December 23, 2025 and January 21, 2026.

Criminal Charges

On October 31, 2025, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges against Seneca Resources, LLC, following multiple violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental protection laws in several counties, as recommended by the 48th and 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Juries.

Three separate criminal complaints were filed regarding the natural gas company’s violations related to improper waste management practices and policies.

Prominent in the Attorney General’s announcement of the charges was the fact that DEP repeatedly warned Seneca that their practices were not in line with Pennsylvania law, but those warnings were ignored or disputed.  Read more here.

In all, Seneca is charged with 64 counts of violations of the Solid Waste Management Act and 36 counts of violations of the Clean Streams Law in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties.  Read more here.

Report Violations

To report oil and gas violations or any environmental emergency or complaint, visit DEP’s Environmental Complaint webpage.

Text photos and the location of abandoned wells to 717-788-8990.

Check These Resources

Visit DEP’s Compliance Reporting Database and Inspection Reports Viewer webpages to search their compliance records by date and owner.

Sign up for DEP’s eNOTICE service which sends you information on oil and gas and other permits submitted to DEP for review in your community.

Use DEP’s Oil and Gas Mapping Tool to find if there are oil and gas wells near or on your property and to find wells using latitude and longitude on well inspection reports.

(Photos: Row 1-- Pool of liquid above center outfall; sediment basin with standing water; Row 2-- Field testing liquid in the pond; Sample collected at overflow outfall; Field testing liquid flowing off the LOD permit area.)

[Note: If you believe your company was listed in error, contact DEP’s Oil and Gas Program.]

[Note: These may not be all the NOVs issued to oil and gas companies during this time period.  Additional inspection reports may be added to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database.]

Resource Links - Seneca Resources:

-- Attorney General Sunday: Criminal Charges Filed Against Seneca Resources For 64 Counts Of Illegal Dumping Of Shale Gas Waste In Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga Counties  [PaEN]

-- No One Warned A Cameron County Family Their Water Well Was Contaminated By A Seneca Resources Shale Gas Wastewater Pipeline Rupture [PaEN]

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Still Experiencing Spills, Releases While New Well Development Continues At Taft Shale Gas Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County For 426 Days And Counting [PaEN]

-- DEP: Spills, Releases Continue At Seneca Resources Taft Shale Gas Well Pad In Middlebury Twp., Tioga County For 373 Days And Counting [PaEN]

-- DEP Day 239: Seneca Resources Wastewater Cleanup, Monitoring Efforts Continue At Vandergrift Shale Gas Well Pad In Charleston Twp., Tioga County  [PaEN] 

-- DEP: Day 155 - Contaminated Water Still Flowing From Seneca Resources Vandergrift Shale Gas Wells, Well Pad; Cleanup Continues In Charleston Twp., Tioga County  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Seneca Resources Ignores NOVs On DCNR Shale Gas Well Pad Cleanup For 7 Months & Counting; Citizen Complaint Finds Homeowner Well Venting Gas; Multiple Tanker Truck Spills  [PaEN]

-- Citizen Complaint, Company Report Results In DEP Inspection Finding 63,000 Gallon Wastewater Spill At Seneca Resources Shale Gas Well On State Game Lands In Elk County; More Leaks, Spills  [PaEN]

-- Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group Asks DCNR To Protect State Forest Land From Seneca Shale Gas Drilling Well Pad, Comply With PA Supreme Court Decision, Protect Recreation, Wildlife  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 24, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Physicians For Social Responsibility PA Host May 8 Online Southeast PA Environmental Movement Committee Meeting On A.I. Data Centers, Chester Incinerator, LNG Gas Terminal Proposals

The Physicians for Social Responsibility PA will host a May 8 online Southeast PA Environmental Movement Committee meeting from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Topics for discussion include A.I. data centers, the waste incinerator in Chester, Delaware County and LNG natural gas export terminal proposal in the Philadelphia Area.

Environmental Movement Community meetings are organized around the PA DEP Regional Office districts, but this gathering will bring us together across regions to strengthen collaboration and amplify our shared voice. 

We want to hear directly from you about your community’s concerns and priorities — your ideas and advocacy drive this movement.

This virtual gathering will be an open space for advocates like you to:

-- ​​Share environmental and public health concerns from your community

-- ​​Build connections with advocates across Pennsylvania

​-- Help shape a shared vision for statewide environmental action

-- ​​Learn about ways to get involved with the growing EMC network

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the PSR PA Upcoming Events webpage for other educational opportunities.

For more information on programs, initiatives and how you can get involved, visit the Physicians for Social Responsibility PA website.

[Posted: April 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

RegenAll Funds 130-Tree Silvopasture Project On Lancaster County Farm

On April 23, RegenAll announced it supported a Lancaster County farmer in installing a silvopasture project that will improve the health of the farm’s dairy cows, land, and future prosperity.

Thanks to a $7,000 grant from RegenAll’s Community Climate Fund, Benuel E. Beiler was able to plant 130 trees across seven acres of his organic dairy farm. 

The trees will provide a wide range of benefits. Fruit and nut trees, including persimmons, mulberries, hickories, and chestnuts, will offer tree crops for retail sale and home use. 

Honey locust trees drop edible pods for the cattle during the winter months. 

Fast-growing trees, such as black locusts, will provide shade over the pasture, which improves the cows’ physical well-being and ultimately leads to higher milk output. 

With increased milk production, the farm can also expect to see an increase in revenue.

Silvopasture, the practice of integrating trees, livestock, and foraging on the same land, is a natural climate solution. 

The trees help sequester carbon and offset the emissions associated with livestock farming, and they improve soil and water quality by reducing erosion and enhancing water infiltration.

These benefits are why RegenAll has dedicated a portion of its Community Climate Fund (CCF) to local silvopasture projects. 

The CCF supports resilience-building initiatives that address the intersectional wellbeing of human communities, ecosystems, and the climate. 

On April 8th, our partners at Trees for Graziers, a Lancaster-based agroforestry organization, planted acres of saplings across the Beiler farm, rooting the CCF into our local families and land.

“This tree planting is a really important project because it has so many benefits – for carbon sequestration and water quality, for the health of livestock, and for the financial sustainability of small, local farms,” said Andrew Pauls-Thomas, RegenAll’s Director of Energy Solutions. “In an uncertain federal funding landscape, local dollars from the Community Climate Fund catalyze projects that build a resilient future for Lancaster County.”

RegenAll is a Lancaster-based nonprofit committed to identifying and implementing local climate solutions for a thriving, regenerative future. 

RegenAll’s vision is to create scalable models for meaningful climate action across rural and urban communities that regenerate ecosystems and create economic opportunities for all.

Related Articles This Week:

-- In Memoriam: Gilbert Freedman, Tireless Advocate For And Founder Of The Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Assn. In Cumberland County 

-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts Celebrates County Conservation District Week - April 26 to May 2  [PaEN] 

-- Essential Utilities, PA Environmental Council Award $60,000 In Grants To Support Projects To Protect Drinking Water In Bucks, Chester, Delaware Counties  [PaEN]  

-- PA American Water Awards 12 Organizations $243,349 In Water And Environment Grants  [PaEN] 

-- Columbia Gas Of PA Awards $50,000 In Environmental Action Grants To 11 Nonprofits  [PaEN] 

-- Susquehanna University, Chesapeake Conservancy Collected 100,000 Live Stakes To Expand Riparian Forest Buffers  [PaEN] 

-- Foundation For PA Watersheds Accepting Letters Of Interest In Funding For Community-Based Environmental Projects In Raccoon Creek Watershed, Allegheny, Beaver, Washington Counties  [PaEN] 

-- Conservation Efforts Unite: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay And Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd. Partner to Create Cleaner Waterways and Lower Environmental Impact  [PaEN]

-- Three Rivers Waterkeeper Announces Intent To Sue Neville Chemical Company For Polluting Ohio River Near Pittsburgh  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Recruiting Pennsylvania Pond Owners To Join A Community Science Study [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension: Spring Tips For A Watershed-Friendly Yard

-- Penn State Extension: Potential Hidden Substances In The Groundwater You Drink 

-- Penn State Extension Latest Watershed Winds Newsletter: Upcoming Webinars, Workshops  

-- Help Wanted: Armstrong County Conservation District Watershed Specialist [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Pennsylvania Independent: PA Group Urges Congress To Save Chesapeake Bay Restoration Funding

-- WHYY: Anglers Help Stock White Clay Creek With Trout, Celebrate Improvements To Water Quality In Chester County

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Pittsburgh-Area Conservation Projects Get Grants From Open Space Institute To Help Wildlife, Climate

-- TribLive: Lower Burrell Twp. Plans To Replace Sewage Pump Station, 50-Year Old Pipeline To Eliminate Illegal Sewage Discharges Into Chartiers Run 

-- Spotlight PA - Molly Bilinski: The Shapiro Administration’s Unusual Challenge To Proposed ICE Warehouse Detention Centers In Berks, Schuylkill Counties Could Take Years To Play Out

-- PHYS.org: Mapping Microplastic Movement In Rivers And Streams Across Pennsylvania  [Penn State] 

[Posted: April 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest

Foundation For PA Watersheds Accepting Letters Of Inquiry In Funding For Community-Based Environmental Projects In Raccoon Creek Watershed, Allegheny, Beaver, Washington Counties

On April 23, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds announced it is now accepting letters of inquiry in funding for community-led efforts to restore, preserve, and protect water quality in the Raccoon Creek Watershed in portions of Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties.

The deadline for LOIs is September 18.  There is currently $475,000 available for projects.

This funding opportunity is a result of a $2.6 million consent decree penalty settlement following a complaint filed by the  Department of Environmental Protection, PennEnvironment, and Three Rivers Waterkeeper against the now closed BVPV Styrenics, LLC and Styropek USA, Inc. regarding the discharge of polystyrene pellets (nurdles) into Raccoon Creek.  [Read more here.]

The Raccoon Creek Benefit Fund will fund projects in the watershed that protect and restore water and environmental resources. 

Nonprofit organizations, local watershed and friends groups, conservation districts, municipal or government entities, higher educational institutions, and more can now apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the type and scale of the project.

“As the steward of these funds, the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds will ensure that the dollars from this settlement are strategically invested directly back into the communities of the Raccoon Creek watershed,” said Deborah Nardone, FPW’s executive director. “These investments are not made in isolation, but instead reinforce decades of conservation work already underway and in collaboration with the numerous organizations and agencies doing excellent work to protect and improve our streams and rivers.”

Funding priorities include projects that:

-- Improve water quality and aquatic habitat in Raccoon Creek and its tributaries. 

-- Address pollution sources, including legacy and ongoing impacts. 

-- Advance AMD/AML remediation, stream restoration, riparian buffers, and green infrastructure. 

-- Support monitoring, data collection, and evaluation tied to restoration outcomes. 

-- Strengthen local organizational capacity to deliver and sustain restoration work. 

-- Protect land for conservation or public access purposes through acquisitions or easements. 

-- Engage stakeholders through outreach, education, and communications that will help protect or improve the Raccoon Creek watershed.

Applications for the Raccoon Creek Benefit Fund will follow the two-step process of FPW’s conservation grants program, with a letter of inquiry (LOI) followed by a full proposal. 

LOIs will be reviewed on a rolling basis; full proposals will follow spring and fall deadlines. 

LOIs are open now and will be accepted for consideration in the fall round of grant funding until Sept. 18, 2026. 

All applications must be submitted using the FPW Grant Portal. 

Applicants are encouraged to discuss potential projects with FPW staff before applying. 

To learn more and review the full grant guidelines, visit the FPW Grant Guidelines webpage or contact FPW’s Executive Director Deborah Nardone at dnardone@thefpw.org or 814-669-4244.

Click Here for the Raccoon Creek announcement.

The Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds is a grantmaking foundation and nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of Pennsylvania’s water resources. 

Founded in 1994, FPW invests in projects that protect the best and restore the rest of Pennsylvania's streams and watersheds. 

FPW works closely with local communities, government agencies, and conservation organizations to identify and address the most pressing issues facing PA's watersheds. 

Related Articles This Week:

-- In Memoriam: Gilbert Freedman, Tireless Advocate For And Founder Of The Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Assn. In Cumberland County 

-- PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts Celebrates County Conservation District Week - April 26 to May 2  [PaEN] 

-- Essential Utilities, PA Environmental Council Award $60,000 In Grants To Support Projects To Protect Drinking Water In Bucks, Chester, Delaware Counties  [PaEN]  

-- PA American Water Awards 12 Organizations $243,349 In Water And Environment Grants  [PaEN] 

-- Columbia Gas Of PA Awards $50,000 In Environmental Action Grants To 11 Nonprofits  [PaEN] 

-- Susquehanna University, Chesapeake Conservancy Collected 100,000 Live Stakes To Expand Riparian Forest Buffers  [PaEN] 

-- Conservation Efforts Unite: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay And Joe Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd. Partner to Create Cleaner Waterways and Lower Environmental Impact  [PaEN]

-- Three Rivers Waterkeeper Announces Intent To Sue Neville Chemical Company For Polluting Ohio River Near Pittsburgh  [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension Recruiting Pennsylvania Pond Owners To Join A Community Science Study [PaEN] 

-- Penn State Extension: Spring Tips For A Watershed-Friendly Yard

-- Penn State Extension: Potential Hidden Substances In The Groundwater You Drink 

-- Penn State Extension Latest Watershed Winds Newsletter: Upcoming Webinars, Workshops  

-- Help Wanted: Armstrong County Conservation District Watershed Specialist [PaEN] 

NewsClips:

-- Pennsylvania Independent: PA Group Urges Congress To Save Chesapeake Bay Restoration Funding

-- WHYY: Anglers Help Stock White Clay Creek With Trout, Celebrate Improvements To Water Quality In Chester County

-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: Pittsburgh-Area Conservation Projects Get Grants From Open Space Institute To Help Wildlife, Climate

-- TribLive: Lower Burrell Twp. Plans To Replace Sewage Pump Station, 50-Year Old Pipeline To Eliminate Illegal Sewage Discharges Into Chartiers Run 

-- Spotlight PA - Molly Bilinski: The Shapiro Administration’s Unusual Challenge To Proposed ICE Warehouse Detention Centers In Berks, Schuylkill Counties Could Take Years To Play Out

-- PHYS.org: Mapping Microplastic Movement In Rivers And Streams Across Pennsylvania  [Penn State] 

[Posted: April 23, 2026]  PA Environment Digest