| By Bradford Today,
on Sunday, 17 August 2008
|
 UPDATE
August 18, 2008: Vandals Caught In This Case (see below)
According to the DEP rep Freda Tarbell,
somewhere around 10000 gallons(UPDATE: Now 45,000+ Gallons) of crude oil has spilled recently in the North Fork (a wild
trout stream) along Route 321 in the Allegheny National Forest.
According to our source, Bill Belitskus from the ADP who was on scene (and took the
pictures in this story), it was reported the spill occurred from a Snyder Bros. tank.
It is unclear at this time how or why this has occurred but McKean County Emergency
Management Agency, McKean County Sheriff's Office, Pennsylvania State Police and Forest
Service Law Enforcement Office were on scene at the Bradford Ranger District Office, and
when asked about the leak by Mr. Belitskus, he was told it was a crime scene by an
official in plain clothes and a side arm.
The man continued in "asking for the cooperation of the public in staying out of
the area because we want to preserve evidence at the crime scene - we don't want anyone to
get away with this."
Snyder Brothers, a subsidiary
of Snyder Associated Companies is one of the largest, privately-funded,
independent producers of natural gas in Pennsylvania [according to their website] and is
based out of Kittanning PA. They have been drilling natural gas and oil wells since the
mid 1970's and currently drill more than 150 wells per year.
Discuss The Spill
In The Bradford Forum
UPDATE: The spill was caused by vandals
who tampered with equipment and opened valves on at least 6 different Snyder Bros. oil
tanks. The Bradford Era has a continued story on the subject. Click Here For That Story.
UPDATE #2: An arrest has been made in the
case. 22/yo Christopher Horton and 42/yo Andrew Horton are in McKean County Jail on
$50,000 bail each for causing a catastrophe and related charges.
Era Articles
- Officials have conflicting stories about Kinzua oil seepage
- Police: Two men charged in oil spill are former Snyder Brothers’ employees
- Different charges filed in oil spill; leakage estimate increases
Photos By Allegheny Defense Project
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