LAPORTE - A discharge into Loyalsock Creek spotted Friday has been identified as mud, clay and sediment from natural gas operations, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Vacationers from the Baltimore, Md. area contacted the Sun-Gazette Saturday seeking answers why they found sludge and a green, opaque color in the creek.
John Erich, state Department of Environmental Protection emergency response manager from its northcentral office in Williamsport, said the release happened around noon Friday near the Laporte and Cherry Township border when crews were making an "open trench cut across the stream."
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Erich said natural gas transmission lines are being constructed there for the Marc 1 pipeline project. Inergy Midstream L.P. was identified as the company doing the work.
Inergy is in the process of building a 39-mile, 30-inch gas pipeline interconnect there, according to its website.
Erich said the company's "best practice management failed" causing the release of a "significant amount" of mud, clay and sediment into the creek.
He said DEP was on scene after the incident and provided assistance to the company after the discharge was stopped.
There was no danger to the public or environment because of the release, Erich said.
"It's just mud from where they dug from the stream," he said.
A representative at Worlds End State Park said no advisories were issued swimmers or campers at the park.
