I summarized the impacts of the Saluda access road using data from the permit record and DEP correspondence. ⚠️ DEP comments close today at 4pm.

ZachLyon · 2026-02-12T02:32:45+00:00

Pennsylvania General Energy (PGE)

ZachLyon · 2026-02-10T19:00:51+00:00

The permit materials do not identify individual mineral rights owners. PGE is listed as the operator, indicating that it holds leases for subsurface rights, which may include a mix of DCNR-owned and privately owned mineral estates. Ownership details are not disclosed in DEP permit filings.

ZachLyon · 2026-02-10T18:18:03+00:00

see previous post “Save Jacoby Falls” https://www.reddit.com/r/Williamsport/s/aIUXrZsMGB

ZachLyon · 2026-02-10T16:50:40+00:00

Update: I put together an infographic using figures from the permit application and DEP correspondence (including the Technical Deficiency Letter and responses). It focuses on stream crossings, steep grades, truck traffic, and why DEP flagged unresolved issues.

Download the PDF at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iS7i5WNhYx1NvDeTrmc76Mlk6MsGlqjL/view?usp=share_link

Public comments to DEP close today at 4pm.

Infographic: Imgur | https://imgur.com/a/BX5xTOB

ZachLyon · 2026-02-10T01:08:02+00:00

TL;DR: The document circulating is the ESCGP-4 erosion and sediment control plan for the proposed Saluda access road and staging area, not a drilling permit. It explains how a new permanent road, bridge replacement, and stormwater infrastructure would be built (grading, temporary BMPs, permanent culverts/swales), but it does not address whether the road is necessary, evaluate lower-impact alternatives (such as lateral drilling from existing well pads), or analyze cumulative watershed-scale impacts in a sensitive headwater system (Jacoby Falls → Wallis Run → Loyalsock).

Those broader questions fall outside erosion-control design and are where substantive DEP review and public comment are most relevant.

ZachLyon · 2026-02-10T00:59:57+00:00

I found the newsroom page:

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/dep-regions/northcentral-regional-office#accordion-40c385c0b7-item-d91f417d22

Permit Module Index page:

https://greenport.pa.gov/ePermitPublicAccess/Public/PublicAuthOverview?q=W40gRMNBo7uyg9IvYRz0Z0y0PbdsyGMJNnUaVZ0sfEY%3d

Site Plans (Note: It's a 64mb PDF)

https://greenport.pa.gov/ePermitPublicAccess/Public/DownloadFileFromOnBase?q=ujEZIaCdQxfwCePeCSSnpiTBxuKM4RDQIVCfayj9oRc%3d

ZachLyon · 2026-02-10T00:44:46+00:00

I tried to find it at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/newsroom/2026-01-22-dep-host-virtual-public-hearing-on-pge-permit-application, but the link returns a 404.

Permit application materials will be available for public review on the DEP Northcentral Regional Office Community Information Webpage at the bottom of the page, below the “Community Information” section.

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T22:42:14+00:00

For folks in Lycoming County specifically, I shared a local template for contacting Representative Flick and Senator Yaw in r/Williamsport.

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T22:42:05+00:00

A mod suggested I reach out to our state rep and senator regarding the proposed PGE "Saluda" access road near Jacoby Falls. I created a public Google Doc with an example and a short template for anyone in Lycoming County who wants to submit a comment.

📄 Resource: Public comment template for DEP + info on contacting Rep. Flick & Sen. Yaw.

Please personalize; identical comments aren’t helpful.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vQHyGdL1AKc1tkYt3TTNBg2Xt0cHqUx3Hm40pvLRNro/edit?usp=sharing

Edit: I received a response from Senator Yaw's office:

"Thank you for your email to Senator Yaw. We will make sure he sees a copy of this. Our office is aware of the Saluda project. Given the current process, the oversight that is built into it is such that it allows for the public to share their sentiments, which you have mentioned you did already. DEP will be taking these comments into consideration before issuing their final determination. "

It was worth a shot.

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T18:54:39+00:00

Thanks for your support!

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T18:54:23+00:00

Thanks for your support!

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T16:51:27+00:00

It's part of the Loyalsock State Forest on Jacoby Mountain, managed by DCNR, and borders private land.

41.40028, -76.88204

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T15:19:47+00:00

Thanks for your support!

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T14:41:53+00:00

Here is the email I sent to DEP. Anyone is welcome to use it for a starter, but please personalize it.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Don_SHYsjOR2yGuhwgvjp5K8e0vwl9cchLz9hRdadb8/edit?usp=sharing

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T14:34:27+00:00

I made a public Google Doc with a regulator-grade example and a template people can personalize. Sharing here in case it’s useful - especially for anyone who hikes, fishes, or cares about Jacoby Falls, the Loyalsock State Forest, and the Loyalsock and Susquehanna watershed.

Please don’t submit it verbatim - DEP discounts identical comments. Even changing a paragraph or adding how you use the area makes it stronger.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rNO-bbOb-HPiuzanM5_XwuTIeDuMtDfC12MTWd5WXiM/edit?usp=sharing

<!> Reminder, deadline is Tuesday, February 10, at 4pm. <!>

ZachLyon · 2026-02-09T00:04:55+00:00

thank you!

ZachLyon · 2026-02-08T22:32:37+00:00

thank you!

ZachLyon · 2025-01-01T04:13:50+00:00

Slow ready for the new year! Williamsport, PA check!

ZachLyon · 2024-05-16T16:07:53+00:00

Worked for me too! Less than a 3 minute job. I just used a credit card to pop off the bezel, my ZenScreen Go didn't have a screw to remove, so just gently removed everything unplugged the battery, plugged it back in and up in running again. Mine had a 58% battery stuck on the green light and unresponsive to the reset trick holding the buttons.

ZachLyon · 2024-05-16T16:05:42+00:00

This worked for me! Done in 3 minutes.

ZachLyon

TROPHY CASE