CYCLONE — While the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved a permit for Catalyst Energy Inc. to operate an oil and gas wastewater injection well off Pithole Road, residents aren’t giving up just yet.
Following last month’s town hall held to discuss what residents might be able to do to prevent the well, more than 40 residents appealed the DEP approval.
Pittsburgh attorney Lisa Johnson has since stepped up to represent the group in its resistance. Cyclone residents unwilling to accept the well in their neighborhood will meet with Johnson at 3 p.m. Saturday at Hilltop Baptist Church, 3658 Route 646, Gifford.
Residents who have filed an appeal are asked to bring their paperwork to the meeting. At the moment, Johnson explained, each resident’s appeal is a separate case.
Documents sent Feb. 15 to each appellant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board lay out the process and timetables for what happens next.
“Failure to adhere to the Board’s Rules may result in the imposition of sanctions, including but not limited to dismissal of an appeal,” the letter reads.
Motions in the matter must be filed by Sept. 12. Hearings would be scheduled after that.
Residents Cindy and Dennis Johnson have worked from the beginning to inform and educate their neighbors about the planned injection well. According to Cindy, the information is finally getting out but it has been a rollercoaster ride.
“The appeal process was daunting. We had to know so much information and most people wouldn’t know where to find it,” Cindy said. “I am passionate about stopping this well, taking care of everyone.”
The Johnsons noted they did not submit their appeal in time. They explained that they worked so hard to get all the other appeals in and thought they put their own envelope in the pile, only to later find it mixed in with other paperwork.
“I was sick to my stomach when I realized my mistake,” Cindy said. “We don’t want this well in our backyard. They don’t know what is going to happen years later.”
Support from Keating Township supervisors has been mixed, the Johnsons said, with some support for concerned residents and some silence.
The Johnsons said they hope to see representation from McKean County commissioners and have reached out to the offices of Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville.
