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Different charges filed in oil spill; leakage estimate increases
By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
Era Reporter
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Era photo by Francie Long
A sign along Rt 321 warns motorists to slow down due to the oil spill clean up. |
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Charges against the men accused of vandalism leading to the oil spill over the weekend in Allegheny National Forest have been withdrawn, and different charges have been filed — bringing along with it a half-million dollars in bail.
And the estimated amount of oil spilled has been increased by more than four times — from the original estimate of 10,000 gallons to 45,000 gallons, according to a spokesperson for the ANF.
“The exact amount is still being assessed,” said Kathy Mohney of the ANF Wednesday evening.
Andrew Horton, 42, of 18 Clark Drive, and his son, Christopher Horton, 22, of 112 Hemlock St., were arraigned Tuesday night before District Judge Rich Luther on charges relating to the vandalism of oil tanks belonging to Snyder Brothers Inc. Both men were recommitted to McKean County, the father on $500,000 bail and the son on $550,000 bail.
District Attorney John Pavlock explained he had requested the men’s bail be increased “because of the severity of the incident.”
“We had more specific information. The charges were adjusted, and a new complaint was filed,” Pavlock said. He declined further comment.
According to the criminal complaint, Christopher Horton is charged with causing a catastrophe, a first-degree felony; one count of risking a catastrophe and two counts each of criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, all third-degree felonies.
Andrew Horton is charged with causing a catastrophe, a first-degree felony; two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, and one count each of liability for the conduct of another relating to criminal mischief, risking a catastrophe and criminal mischief, all third-degree felonies.
Both were former employees of the Snyder Brothers, had left employment within the past year, and had intricate knowledge of the company tanks’ locations and their operations, according to court records. Police said both men expressed bitterness about the way they felt the company had treated them.
Upon investigation, police learned that Andrew Horton had allegedly dropped off his son, Christopher, near the tanks along with an all-terrain vehicle, knowing his son intended to vandalize property belonging to Snyder Brothers. Christopher Horton then opened valves on tanks and smashed meters, which has hindered efforts to gauge the amount of crude oil that spilled from those tanks, the records indicate.
Valves to the wells that supplied the tanks were also turned on, causing oil to continue to spill even after the vandalized tanks were empty, police said.
“Approximately 17,000 gallons of the crude oil entered the North Fork of Chappel Fork, Chappel Fork and Indian Run, which flow to Chappel Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir,” Mohney said. “Approximately six miles of stream was impacted by the spill. The four-mile stretch above the first containment dam was heavily polluted, while the remaining two miles was moderately damaged. All of these streams are high-quality streams with naturally producing wild trout populations.
“A minor amount of oil did reach Chappel Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir,” she added. “This amount is contained on the surface of the area, within 100 yards of the mouth of Chappel Fork.”
The amount of oil that reached the bay has been a point of contention between some of the investigating agencies involved in the case. McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock has said he believes it is too soon to draw the conclusion that only some oil made it that far.
“It’s inappropriate to comment on the exact amount of oil that made it to the reservoir until all the evidence is reviewed and a knowledgeable determination is reached,” Pavlock said on Wednesday. “The assertion that less than five gallons made it to the reservoir is inconsistent with the evidence we’ve gathered to date.”
Meanwhile, the efforts to clean up the spill are continuing.
“Two containment dams have been installed on the North Fork of Chappel Fork to cause crude oil and water to separate so the oil can be siphoned off to vacuum trucks,” Mohney said. “Further migration of the oil is contained by these two containment dams and a series of absorption booms on the lower two miles leading to Chappel Bay. In addition, oil-contaminated soil is being excavated.”
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, state Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Forest Service have begun initial damage assessments, which have resulted in the reporting of fish kills and three dead beavers.
Staff and personnel continue to look for new locations of spilled oil along streams in the area, as well as the reservoir. No other affected areas have been identified at this time.
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