LOCK HAVEN - For months, Clinton County Planning Commission members have been telling themselves they'd better be ready to deal with the impact of a surge in natural gas drilling proposals in Central Pennsylvania.

On Tuesday night, they took the first step beyond the land of speculation and into reality.

The commission was presented with a proposal by Wayne Township to regulate wastewater treatment for gas production along the Susquehanna River in that township.

Wayne Township wants to amend its zoning ordinance to allow the treatment facilities as a "conditional use" in three zoning districts - mixed use, light industrial and agricultural.

A gas well wastewater treatment plant has been proposed in Wayne Township by Rex Energy. According to the company's Web site, Rex Energy Corp. is an independent oil and gas company operating in the Illinois Basin and the Appalachian Basin of the United States.

Planning Director Tim Holladay said Rex Energy has requested from the state a water permit for use of about 504,000 gallons per day.

As a measure of how quickly matters are proceeding, the Clinton County Comprehensive Plan - created about two years ago to direct future development of resources - is silent on the issue of treatment plant placement.

Holladay said the plan has a general suggestion that such processes should be guided away from the most sensitive of the county's natural resource areas, but nobody involved in its creation considered the need for huge amounts of water to feed treatment plants in connection with the spike in plans to drill for natural gas in Clinton and nearby counties.

The fact that Wayne is considering the permitted use under the "conditional" heading means that approval would not occur automatically, but would have to go before the township supervisors for a vote, even if the proposal meets all other requirements.

The restrictions proposed within the ordinance provide a keen look into the thought processes of public officials who, on one hand, see the drilling as a potential boon to tax revenues, and on the other as a potential headache when it comes to environmental concerns and demands on municipal services.

The zoning change itself could be looked upon as a preemptive effort at curbing many of the negative aspects of such treatment facilities

Township Solicitor Paul D. Welch Jr. informed the planning board via letter that the amendment would also include additional rules and regulations to operate the facilities.

The supervisors are expected to hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 20 in the township building, 773 Pine Mountain Road, McElhattan. Welch said the county commission could present written comment before the meeting, or be included in the public record, or have a representative present to testify.