Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day? Join Lower Providence Township, Valley Forge Audubon Society, Lower Providence Optimist Club, and Riverbend Environmental Education Center as we provide hands-on activities to learn more about the Perkiomen Creek, the birds and people that love it and how YOU can make a difference! Event and admission is FREE! Pre-registration recommended. Share this event
The company had also constructed an unauthorized, makeshift sandbag dam and corrugated plastic pipe in an attempt to bypass the stream, according to a DEP consent order and agreement. This was removed immediately in October by the company. A new bypass system, approved by the DEP last month, includes pipes and pumps, and has been described by Jamar Thrasher, press secretary at the DEP, as substantially different from the unauthorized workaround.
Sunoco also failed to notify the DEP of multiple incidents where drilling fluid escaped beneath the surface and did not return.
Of the money going to the DEP, $490,200 went to the Clean Water Fund, and $6,800 went into the Dams and Encroachments Fund. The penalties collected won t go toward any specific project. Alongside the fines, Sunoco also had to submit a cleanup and restoration plan for the creek by the end of February.