Columbus Township Residents Weigh in on Underground Injection Wells

          DECEMBER 12, 2012- The concerned citizens from one Warren County Community came together tonight to speak out and fight against a plan to get rid of what they say is old fracking fluid.

    It was a full meeting as more than 50 residents listened to the DEP and EPA's explanation behind these two underground injection control wells.

    The more than 30-year-old unused wells would be used to dispose of oil and gas related fluids which may contain brine and other liquids.

    The EPA and DEP laid out a plan for the 2 underground injection control disposal wells located in Columbus Township near Bear Lake.

    To operate the injection wells a UIC permit from the EPA and a change of use permit from the DEP were necessary.

    The EPA and DEP say the primary objective is to protect underground sources of drinking water.

    They say these proposed wells are safe and properly constructed...

    However, members of the public say these proposed wells are unsafe...

    The EPA has already approved a permit for the wells..   

The DEP still has to approve a permit.
Ultimately following that there is no word on when this process will begin.