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Sand Transfer Station Moves Forward

TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP — A controversial silica transfer station for the natural gas industry is one step closer to moving in near Tunkhannock. Now, some pe...

TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP -- A controversial silica transfer station for the natural gas industry is one step closer to moving in near Tunkhannock.

Now, some people who live near the proposed site are threatening to leave town.

The settlement was a big blow for at least one business in town and for plenty of people who live nearby and opposed this project.

Outside the Wyoming County Courthouse on Friday, there were many people upset with the settlement.

"I'm moving. I'm not staying here. I've been here 28 years. I raised my kids here and it was once a beautiful town," said Tunkhannock Township resident Maureen Corby.

The deal between Wyoming County and D&I Silica Transfer Station moves the exit road for the trucks away from the corner of Route 6 and 92 to nearby state property, right next to Hickory Dickory Dock day care.

"It's closer. Obviously I'm worried about the health and safety of the kids we have," said day care owner Jill Dobrinski.

Dobrinski is afraid her day care that's been in Tunkhannock Township for 25 years will go under with parents afraid to put their kids near potentially toxic fumes.

"Children, they love to be outside. We're outside all the time and having all those big trucks in and out all the time is going to affect us."

The federal government says silica sand or crystalline is a carcinogen known to cause lung cancer or respiratory problems if inhaled.

Newswatch 16 spoke to D&I Silica vice president Bill Fehr after the court proceedings and he says the issues simply aren't there.

"From our standpoint, we're translating sand. Sand is a very commonly used product in concrete, water filtration, sandboxes, baseball diamonds. We're in the sand business. Our sand is very clean," Fehr said.

Inside the courtroom, there were dozens of residents against the project wearing pins that say "save the canary."

"The commissioners felt saving taxpayers money was more important than public health and safety apparently," said Tunkhannock Township resident Audrey Gozdiskowski.

In the end, Wyoming County leaders say they simply couldn't keep stopping D&I Silica from coming into town.

"This way we get something. The other way, we get nothing plus we risk the possibility of serious money damages in attorney fees," said Wyoming County solicitor James Davis.

D&I Silica will have to update their plans and get the appropriate approval from the Department of Transportation and other state agencies before they're given the approval by the judge. They have one year to get that done, otherwise it's back to the drawing board.

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