[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57190-57193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23079]


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SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN COMMISSION


Notice of Actions Taken at September 11, 2008, Meeting

AGENCY: Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

ACTION: Notice of Commission Actions.

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SUMMARY: At its regular business meeting on September 11, 2008, in 
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, the Commission held a public hearing as part 
of its regular business meeting. At the public hearing, the Commission: 
(1) Approved certain water resources projects; (2) approved enforcement 
actions for six projects; and (3) granted a request for extension of an 
emergency certificate issued on July 24, 2008. Details concerning these 
and other matters addressed at the public hearing and business meeting 
are contained in the Supplementary Information section of this notice.

DATES: September 11, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 1721 N. Front Street, 
Harrisburg, PA 17102-2391.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard A. Cairo, General Counsel, 
telephone: (717) 238-0423, ext. 306; fax: (717) 238-2436; e-mail: 
[email protected]; or Stephanie L. Richardson, Secretary to

[[Page 57191]]

the Commission, telephone: (717) 238-0423, ext. 304; fax: (717) 238-
2436; e-mail: [email protected]. Regular mail inquiries may be sent 
to the above address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In addition to the public hearing and its 
related action items identified below, the following items were also 
presented or acted on at the business meeting: (1) A special 
presentation on Bucknell University's Susquehanna River Initiative by 
Dr. Benjamin Hayes; (2) a special presentation on Environmental Flows 
by Mark Breyer of the Nature Conservancy; (3) a report on the present 
hydrologic conditions of the basin; (4) approval of a health insurance 
trust fund; (5) approval/ratification of various grants and contracts; 
(6) a directive for staff to move forward on a proposed rulemaking 
action regarding consumptive use by gas well development projects; (7) 
establishment of a ``Compliance Reserve Fund'' to hold the proceeds of 
settlements and civil penalty assessments; (8) deferral of action on an 
errata sheet for the public hearing transcript of March 13, 2008, to 
the December 4, 2008 meeting; and (9) appointment of Stephanie L. 
Richardson as the new Secretary to the Commission. The Commission also 
heard a Legal Counsel's report and an update on recent activities in 
the regulatory program.
    The Commission also convened a public hearing and took the 
following actions:

Public Hearing--Projects Approved

    1. Project Sponsor and Facility: East Resources, Inc. (Seeley 
Creek), Town of Southport, Chemung County, N.Y. Application for surface 
water withdrawal of up to 0.036 mgd.
    2. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC (for 
operations in Chemung and Tioga Counties, N.Y., and Bradford, 
Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, Pa.). Application for consumptive 
water use of up to 2.075 mgd from various surface water sources and the 
following public water suppliers: Towanda Municipal Authority, Aqua 
Pennsylvania, Inc.--Susquehanna Division, Canton Borough Authority, 
Borough of Troy, and Village of Horseheads, N.Y.
    3. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC 
(Susquehanna River), Town of Owego, Tioga County, N.Y. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd.
    4. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (for 
operations in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, Pa.). Application for 
consumptive water use of up to 3.039 mgd from various surface water 
sources and the following public water suppliers: Tunkhannock Borough 
Municipal Authority, Pennsylvania American Water Company--Montrose 
System, and Meshoppen Borough Council.
    5. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Susquehanna River), Great Bend Borough, Susquehanna County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    6. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC 
(Susquehanna River), Athens Township, Bradford County, Pa. Application 
for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd.
    7. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC 
(Susquehanna River), Oakland Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd.
    8. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Susquehanna River), Susquehanna Depot Borough, Susquehanna County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    9. Project Sponsor and Facility: Fortuna Energy Inc. (Susquehanna 
River), Sheshequin Township, Bradford County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.250 mgd.
    10. Project Sponsor and Facility: East Resources, Inc. (Crooked 
Creek), Middlebury Township, Tioga County, Pa. Application for surface 
water withdrawal of up to 0.036 mgd.
    11. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (for 
operations in Bradford County, Pa.). Application for consumptive use of 
water of up to 5.000 mgd.
    12. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC 
(Susquehanna River), Wysox Township, Bradford County, Pa. Application 
for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd.
    13. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Unnamed Tributary to Meshoppen Creek), Dimock Township, Susquehanna 
County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 
mgd.
    14. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Tunkhannock Creek), Lennox Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    15. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Meshoppen Creek-2), Lemon Township, Wyoming County, Pa. Application 
for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    16. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Meshoppen Creek-1), Lemon Township, Wyoming County, Pa. Application 
for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    17. Project Sponsor and Facility: Pennsylvania General Energy 
Company, LLC (operations in Potter and McKean Counties, Pa.). 
Application for consumptive water use of up to 4.900 mgd from various 
surface water sources and the following public water suppliers: Jersey 
Shore Joint Water Authority, Williamsport Municipal Water Authority, 
and Borough of Montoursville.
    18. Project Sponsor and Facility: Pennsylvania General Energy 
Company, LLC (East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek--Horton), East Fork 
Township, Potter County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal 
of up to 0.008 mgd.
    19. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC 
(Susquehanna River), Mehoopany Township, Wyoming County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd.
    20. Project Sponsor and Facility: Pennsylvania General Energy 
Company, LLC (First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek), Sylvania Township, 
Potter County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 
0.107 mgd.
    21. Project Sponsor and Facility: Pennsylvania General Energy 
Company, LLC (East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek--East Fork), East Fork 
Township, Potter County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal 
of up to 0.025 mgd.
    22. Project Sponsor and Facility: Pennsylvania General Energy 
Company, LLC (East Fork Sinnemahoning Creek), Wharton Township, Potter 
County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.027 
mgd.
    23. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Susquehanna River), Tunkhannock Township, Wyoming County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    24. Project Sponsor and Facility: Pennsylvania General Energy 
Company, LLC (First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek), Wharton Township, Potter 
County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.231 
mgd.
    25. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation 
(Bowmans Creek), Eaton Township, Wyoming County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.
    26. Project Sponsor and Facility: Neptune Industries, Inc. 
(Lackawanna River), Borough of Archbald,

[[Page 57192]]

Lackawanna County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up 
to 0.499 mgd.
    27. Project Sponsor and Facility: PEI Power Corporation, Borough of 
Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pa. Modification to consumptive water use 
and surface water withdrawal approval (Docket No. 20010406) for 
addition of up to 0.530 mgd from a public water supplier as a secondary 
supply source, and settlement of an outstanding compliance matter.
    28. Project Sponsor and Facility: Range Resources--Appalachia, LLC 
(for operations in Bradford, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Sullivan, and 
Tioga Counties, Pa.). Application for consumptive water use of up to 
5.000 mgd from various surface water sources and the following public 
water suppliers: Jersey Shore Joint Water Authority--Pine Creek and 
Anthony Facilities, Williamsport Municipal Water Authority, City of 
Lock Haven Water Department, Borough of Bellefonte, Borough of 
Montoursville, Milesburg Water System, and Towanda Municipal Authority.
    29. Project Sponsor and Facility: Range Resources--Appalachia, LLC 
(Lycoming Creek), Lewis Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.200 mgd.
    30. Project Sponsor and Facility: Range Resources--Appalachia, LLC 
(Lycoming Creek), Lycoming Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Application 
for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.200 mgd.
    31. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (for 
operations in Lycoming County, Pa.) Application for consumptive water 
use of up to 5.000 mgd from various surface water sources and the 
following public water suppliers: Jersey Shore Joint Water Authority--
Pine Creek and Anthony Facilities, Williamsport Municipal Water 
Authority, Borough of Montoursville, and Towanda Municipal Authority.
    32. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (Muncy 
Creek), Penn Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Application for surface 
water withdrawal of up to 0.099 mgd.
    33. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (Larrys 
Creek), Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Application for surface 
water withdrawal of up to 0.099 mgd.
    34. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (Muncy 
Creek), Picture Rocks Borough, Lycoming County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.099 mgd.
    35. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (Loyalsock 
Creek), Montoursville Borough, Lycoming County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.099 mgd.
    36. Project Sponsor and Facility: Range Resources--Appalachia, LLC 
(West Branch Susquehanna River), Colebrook Township, Lycoming County, 
Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.200 mgd.
    37. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (for 
operations in Centre and Clearfield Counties, Pa.). Application for 
consumptive water use of up to 5.000 mgd from various surface water 
sources and the following public water supplier: Clearfield Municipal 
Authority.
    38. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (West 
Branch Susquehanna River), Goshen Township, Clearfield County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 5.000 mgd.
    39. Project Sponsor and Facility: Range Resources--Appalachia, LLC 
(Beech Creek), Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.200 mgd.
    40. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (Moshannon 
Creek--Route 53), Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pa. Application 
for surface water withdrawal of up to 2.000 mgd.
    41. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (Moshannon 
Creek Outfall), Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 2.000 mgd.
    42. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (Moshannon 
Creek--Peale), Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 2.000 mgd.
    43. Project Sponsor: Suez Energy North America, Inc. Project 
Facility: Viking Energy of Northumberland, Point Township, 
Northumberland County, Pa. Modification to consumptive water use 
approval (Docket No. 19870301).
    44. Project Sponsor: New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. Project 
Facility: Tyrone Quarry, Warriors Mark Township, Huntingdon County, and 
Snyder Township, Blair County, Pa. Modification to consumptive water 
use and groundwater withdrawal approval (Docket No. 20031205) for 
groundwater withdrawals of 0.095 mgd from Well 1, 0.006 mgd from Well 
2, and 0.050 mgd from Well 3, and 0.003 mgd from Well 5.
    45. Project Sponsor and Facility: Papetti's Hygrade Egg Products, 
Inc., d.b.a. Michael Foods Egg Products Co., Upper Mahantango Township, 
Schuylkill County, Pa. Modification of consumptive water use approval 
(Docket No. 19990903) and a new groundwater withdrawal of 0.450 mgd 
from Well 3.
    46. Project Sponsor: Old Castle Materials, Inc. Project Facility: 
Pennsy Supply, Inc.--Hummelstown Quarry, South Hanover Township, 
Dauphin County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 
29.952 mgd.
    47. Project Sponsor and Facility: Dart Container Corporation of 
Pennsylvania, Upper Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Pa. 
Modification of groundwater approval (Docket No. 20040910).
    48. Project Sponsor: East Berlin Area Joint Authority. Project 
Facility: Buttercup Farms, Hamilton Township, Adams County, Pa. 
Applications for groundwater withdrawals (30-day averages) of 0.144 mgd 
from Well TW-1, 0.029 mgd from Well TW-2, and a total system withdrawal 
limit of 0.173 mgd.

Public Hearing--Projects Tabled

    1. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (Sugar 
Creek), West Burlington Township, Bradford County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.053 mgd.
    2. Project Sponsor and Facility: Fortuna Energy Inc. (Sugar Creek), 
West Burlington Township, Bradford County, Pa. Application for surface 
water withdrawal of up to 0.250 mgd.
    3. Project Sponsor and Facility: Fortuna Energy Inc. (Towanda 
Creek), Franklin Township, Bradford County, Pa. Application for surface 
water withdrawal of up to 0.250 mgd.
    4. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC (Pine Creek), 
Cummings Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Application for surface water 
withdrawal of up to 0.099 mgd.
    5. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (Upper 
Little Surveyor Run), Girard Township, Clearfield County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.400 mgd.
    6. Project Sponsor and Facility: Rex Energy Corporation (Lower 
Little Surveyor Run), Girard Township, Clearfield County, Pa. 
Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.400 mgd.

Public Hearing--Project Withdrawn

    Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (Martins 
Creek), Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. Application for 
surface water withdrawal of up to 0.980 mgd.

[[Page 57193]]

Public Hearing--No Action

    Project Sponsor: PPL Holtwood, LLC. Project Facility: Holtwood 
Hydroelectric Station, Martic and Conestoga Townships, Lancaster 
County, and Chanceford and Lower Chanceford Townships, York County, Pa. 
Applications for amendment to existing FERC license (FERC Project No. 
1881) and for redevelopment of the project with modification of its 
operations on the lower Susquehanna River, including the addition of a 
second power station and associated infrastructure.

Public Hearing--Enforcement Actions

    The Commission accepted settlement offers for the following 
projects:
    1. Project Sponsor and Facility: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation; Teel, 
Greenwood, Ely, Lewis and Black Wells; Dimock and Springfield 
Townships, Susquehanna County, Pa.
    2. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chief Oil & Gas, LLC; Kensinger, 
Spotts, and Poor Shot Wells; Mifflin, Penn and Anthony Townships, 
Lycoming County, Pa.
    3. Project Sponsor and Facility: EOG Resources, Inc.; Houseknecht, 
Olsyn and Pierce Wells; Springfield Township, Bradford County, Pa.; PHC 
Well, Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, Pa.; Leasgang and Pichler 
Wells, Jay Township, Elk County, Pa.
    4. Project Sponsor and Facility: North Coast Energy, Inc.; Litke 
Wells, Burnside Township, Centre County, Pa.
    5. Project Sponsor and Facility: Range Resources--Appalachia LLC; 
McWilliams, Bobst Mountain, Ogontz, and Ulmer Wells; Cogan House, 
Cummings and Lycoming Townships, Lycoming County, Pa.; Gulf USA Well, 
Snow Shoe Township, Centre County, Pa.; Duffey Well, Ridgebury 
Township, Bradford County, Pa.
    6. Project Sponsor and Facility: Turm Oil, Inc., LaRue Well, Rush 
Township, Susquehanna County, Pa.

Public Hearing--Extension of Emergency Certificate

    The Commission granted an extension of an Emergency Certificate 
until December 4, 2008, to the following project:
    CAN DO, Inc., Hazle Township, Luzerne County, Pa.--Request to 
extend the use of Site 14 Test Well to serve Humbolt Industrial Park.

    Authority: Public Law 91-575, 84 Stat. 1509 et seq., 18 CFR 
Parts 806, 807, and 808.

    Dated: September 22, 2008.
Thomas W. Beauduy,
Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-23079 Filed 9-30-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7040-01-P