Persistent pollution has been degrading Old Crow Wetlands in Huntingdon since construction began at an adjacent site last summer. The DEP improperly issued the permit for this development without thoroughly assessing the site, as demonstrated by sedimentation events occurring repeatedly since construction began. No corrective or punitive action has been taken.

Furthermore, PennDOT ignored the threat that the development posed to Old Crow Wetland, which is a PennDOT mitigation site established to compensate for the destruction and degradation of wetlands due to road construction. In fact, PennDOT facilitated this development by approving a traffic signal specifically to accommodate the fueling station/convenience store at an inherently unsafe location, at the end of the on-ramp from Route 26 north to Route 22 east.

Both the DEP and PennDOT should be taken to task for their dereliction and incompetence in this fiasco. It should be publicized far and wide, for all to witness.

Stan Kotala

Altoona