EMPORIUM — At Thursday’s meeting, Cameron County Commissioners approved a payment from Act 13 funds for much-needed improvements to the county’s landfill.
Funds of $4,377 were granted to the Cameron County Solid Waste Authority to pay half of the repairs deemed necessary through an engineering study. The solid waste authority will be responsible for the other half of the needed funds.
Commissioner Lori Reed stated that there were a number of issues that needed to be addressed immediately.
Commissioner Phil Jones was appointed to the Headwater RCD for the Sinnemahoning Stakeholders Association. The stakeholders’ board determines where to direct grant funds coming from the interest on a $3 million payment awarded because of the Gardeau train derailment several years ago when sodium hydroxide was dumped into the stream, killing fish, plants and insects and causing a massive clean-up and monitoring effort by the company and local entities. The grants are issued to pay for environmental and educational projects.
Notice of an application made by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to the U.S. Department of Labor was received for the 2016 Mine Safety and Health Administration.
A notice was received from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) of their application for a general permit, which covers maintenance, testing, repair, rehabilitation or replacement of water obstructions and encroachments. The permit concerns replacement of a footbridge over the East Branch of Cowley Run in Sizerville State Park.
A “thank you” letter was received by the county from the Walters family for efforts to find their lost family member in Wykoff Run during deer season. The family included a $500 donation to the Emergency Management team that helped with the search. A similar letter and donation was received by Mountaineer Search and Rescue for their efforts, as well, and the Wykoff Run Campers’ Association has also reached out to show their appreciation.
The next meeting of the Cameron County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Feb. 4 at the courthouse in Emporium.
