DEP Approves Sunoco's Mariner East Pipeline Marsh Creek State Park Lake Restoration Plan

On April 7, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has approved Sunoco Pipeline LP’s request for a major permit amendment for restoration activities after a spill of drilling fluid near Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County. 

The restoration activities are required under the terms of a Consent Order and Agreement entered into between DEP, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Sunoco on December 6, 2021, after Sunoco spilled approximately 8,000 gallons of drilling fluid that impacted a wetland, two tributaries, and Marsh Creek Lake in August 2020. 

As outlined in the COA, Sunoco is required to dredge portions of the lake to remove drilling mud and sediment present as a result of the spill. 

This major amendment was requested to support the dewatering of sediment dredged from Marsh Creek Lake. 

Sunoco requested a 4.06-acre increase to the limit of disturbance to conduct these activities. Upon completion of the project, all areas will be restored.

DEP additionally issued Sunoco a Temporary Discharge Authorization associated with the dredging and dewatering activities which will allow Sunoco to return water to the lake after it has been processed. 

“While steps were taken to protect natural resources immediately after the spill occurred, DEP, in coordination with a number of federal and state agencies, pursued a binding agreement to ensure a thorough and complete cleanup of the lake,” said DEP Southeast Regional Director Pat Patterson. “The level of oversight, involvement, outreach, and coordination has been unprecedented, but has been necessary in order to restore this area.”

In accordance with their Impact Assessment and Restoration Plan for Ranger Cove, Sunoco and its third-party contractors commenced this week with turtle trapping to relocate Northern Red Belly Cooters, a state-listed threatened species of turtle, from the identified work areas. 

Turtle traps will be baited and deployed for a period of 20 days and will be monitored once per day; captured turtles will be released into another part of the reservoir before the dredging commences. 

Additionally, a turbidity curtain will be installed to prevent turtles from entering the project area. Sunoco received the necessary clearances from the Fish and Boat Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before beginning the activities.

More information can be found on DEP’s Marsh Creek webpage.

Related Articles:

-- Sunoco/Mariner East Pipeline To Pay $4 Million In Damages And Restore Lake At Marsh Creek State Park Polluted By A Spill In Chester County

-- Attorney General Shapiro's Statement Announcing 48 Environmental Criminal Charges Against The Mariner East Pipeline In 11 Counties

[Posted: April 7, 2022]  PA Environment Digest