EMPORIUM — Drilling activity is ramping up in Cameron County, with the construction of a number of pipeline sections happening across the county.
In addition to the notices received at the March 5 meeting, two more Act 14 notifications have been received for separate sections of line.
The announcements came during the Cameron County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday.
The first notification was received from Alder Run Engineering on behalf of Endeavor Operating Corp., for work on the Daniel Field Gathering System C9/C10 Trunkline, Phase 1. Permits are being sought for utility line stream crossings, for temporary road crossings and for erosion and sediment control.
A separate notification was received pertaining to Endeavor’s EQT Lateral project that requests both utility line stream crossings and temporary road crossings. That permit was also submitted by Alder Run Engineering.
A notice was also received from the Cameron County Conservation District for construction of a pavilion in Wheaton Hollow, Shippen Township. The site, near the Steel Dam and fairgrounds just outside of Emporium, will be part of a nature trail that is in the beginning of the construction phase currently. A portion of the trail will run atop the dyke on Emporium’s West End.
In other news, the commissioners have authored a letter that will be submitted with one written by the Potter County Commissioners in support of a number of revenue changes that would have a big impact on the rural area.
The letters will be delivered to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) to push for new legislation to increase the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILT) for state-owned land. Both Cameron and Potter counties have more than half of their land masses owned by the Commonwealth.
Counties are also seeking a cut of the revenue garnered through timber sales and gas drilling activities on state land within their jurisdiction.
Rural counties throughout northcentral Pennsylvania have large sections of land controlled by the state that cannot be used for economic development, and are not taxed at the same levels as residences, businesses or privately-owned forestland. Many areas are not open to the public for all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile or other uses, hindering tourism development, as well. Counties argue that if the state can afford to continue buying up plots of land within those areas, they should be able to increase the PILT instead.
State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, is currently pushing legislation that would increase the PILT, and CCAP is looking to back the measure.
Meanwhile, liquid fuels money was approved for dispensation to Grove Township and Emporium Borough. Both will receive $3,500. Grove Township had requested $5,000 to put a gravel base down on Jerry Run Road, and the borough asked for $7,000 to purchase road salt.
The next commissioners meeting will be held at noon April 2 at the courthouse in Emporium.
