EPA v. BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC

Case summary

On September 8, 2023, Region 3 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order settling an administrative enforcement action against Bear Lake Properties, LLC ( Bear Lake ), the owner of five Class II-D commercial brine disposal underground injection control ( UIC ) wells located in Columbus Township, Warren County, PA in the Medina Formation. Bear Lake failed to comply with the Maximum Allowable Injection Pressure for certain wells during certain time frames, failed to install emergency shutoff devices and continuous flow meters, failed to properly calibrate and maintain equipment and conduct continuous pressure and flow monitoring for certain wells, and failed to properly train staff for all operational wells. The settlement requires Bear Lake to pay a civil penalty of $45,000 and take other corrective actions, including confirming all electrical wiring work has been completed and is operational at all five wells on-site, including installation of automatic shutoff devices and Murphy gauges for monitoring, and continuous flow monitoring devices, and submitting a Corrective Action Plan that includes a training program for employees, and SOPs for monitoring all active wells, maintaining associated records and logs and quality assurance procedures, and an SOP for Equipment Calibration, Maintenance and Repairs. The facility is not located in an area of potential EJ concern. The Region published notice of the proposed settlement but did not receive any comments. EPA administers the UIC program in Pennsylvania and has communicated with PADEP regarding the issuance of this Consent Agreement and Final Order.

Defendants (1)

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC PAS2D218BWAR BITTINGER # 3

  3000 VILLAGE RUN RD, WEXFORD, PA, 15090

  Registry ID: 110070028914

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC PAS2D219BWAR SMITH-RAS # 1

  3000 VILLAGE RUN RD, WEXFORD, PA, 15090

  Registry ID: 110070028914

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES,LLC PAS2D217BWAR BITTINGER # 2

  3000 VILLAGE RUN ROAD, WEXFORD, PA, 15090

  Registry ID: 110063599734

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC

  1889 CORNISH HILL RD, BEAR LAKE, PA, 16402

  Registry ID: 110071497827

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC PAS2D215BWAR BITTINGER #4

  3000 VILLAGE RUN ROAD, UNIT 103, WEXFORD, PA, 15090

  Registry ID: 110044866669

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLC PAS2D216BWAR BITTINGER #1

  3000 VILLAGE RUN ROAD, WEXFORD, PA, 15090

  Registry ID: 110044866678

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1422/1423 — UIC Regulations Classes I - V

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• BEAR LAKE PROPERTIES, LLCentered 2023-09-08

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $45,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2023-09-08Final Order Issued
• 2023-09-08Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2023-09-22Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-09-08Enforcement Action Closed