DEP (Doing Everything Poorly)

The DEP failed me. This is my experience from 2006 to present. The DEP hasn’t provided responsible oversight of Oil &Gas drilling permits they approved. It’s important for people to know what really happens.

Before permits were approved, I objected to problems. The permits reflect the DEP’s recommended road elevation of 20%. Yet, the max elevation is 60% or greater. If the DEP would’ve looked at the permits and my surface, they would have seen that a 20% incline was impossible. I specifically complained to the DEP and they didn’t care.

I reported significant soil erosion, major slip damages and permit deviations. The slopes are steeper, culverts are missing, road is not maintained, surface disturbance is much greater etc. After more than five years the DEP has failed to require repairs to my private property.

I reported problems with my drinking water. The DEP didn’t warn me they had received water analysis’ showing my drinking water was contaminated with hazardous and potentially fatal bacteria.

I reported trespass occurring outside the approved permit boundary. After more than five years the DEP has failed to demand the O&G company stop abusing my private property boundaries.

I called the Spill Hotline to report a spill on my private property. To my knowledge the DEP never investigated. They instead contacted the O&G company who claimed the spill was nothing to be concerned about.

I was forced to withdraw money from savings and spent tens-of-thousands of dollars to enforce DEP regulations in court. What is the DEP being paid to do? Why are they refusing to monitor their permits to private property, for Unreasonable and Unnecessary damages?

In my experience, the DEP is a government organization that is both unwilling and unqualified to administer the very permits they approve. I view this use of tax payer monies as waste, fraud and abuse.