BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The state Department of Environmental Protection has submitted a notice of violation to Dalton Delivery Service Inc., the company involved in the gas tanker crash and spill last monthin a West Bethlehem neighborhood.
The crash caused a commercial gas tanker to flip upside down and spill 6,000 gallons of gas and diesel into Paul Avenue. Hundreds of people in the neighborhood were evacuated, with many going to a nearby school for the day.
- The state Department of Environmental Protection has issued a notice of violation to the trucking company involved in a tanker crash and spill in November
- The crash happened on Nov. 17 and involved 6,000 gallons of fuel spilling into a West Bethlehem neighborhood
- The owner of the trucking company said he didn't know about the notice, but knew one was coming. He said the company is doing everything they can to get it cleaned up
The notice says that, "as a result of this release, either pollution, or a threat of pollution, exists at West Union Boulevard at Raymond Avenue, Bethlehem City."
"As a responsible party pursuant to the Clean Streams Law, you should obtain the property owner’s permission without delay and immediately initiate assessment and/or cleanup activities," the notification says.
It says a site assessment is required "to determine the extent of contamination relative to the property" that would include collecting soil and groundwater samples that indicate how much contamination exists at the site.
"Once you know how extensive the contamination is, a plan to clean it up can be developed," the notice tells Dalton.
Asked for comment Wednesday, Mike Dalton, the owner of the trucking company, said it was the first he'd heard of the notice that apparently was sent to him.
"As a responsible party pursuant to the Clean Streams Law, you should obtain the property owner’s permission without delay and immediately initiate assessment and/or cleanup activities."State Department of Environmental Protection notice of violation
"I didn't get a notice of violation," Dalton said. "I mean, I knew it was going to be coming. There was an incident—that's not in dispute, but we're doing everything we can to work with the people and get this thing cleaned up."
Dalton added that while he was on site of the crash on Nov. 17, he was told by a government employee that a notice would be coming.
The notice, dated Nov. 28, didn't accuse the delivery company of environmental damage, but instead gave it 14 days to assess the damage, if any, and submit a work plan.
The letter also includes the contact information for a geologist, David McGovern, who apparently was assigned to the case.
During the original crash, Bethlehem emergency crews deployed floating barriers in Monocacy Creek in case of contamination, but said they did not believe there was any in the creek.
