At BCMAC, we’re committed to protecting Beaver County from the environmental and health impacts of fracking and petrochemical development. Our Eyes on Pollution Watchdog Program empowers community members to take an active role in monitoring local pollution sources, documenting violations, and advocating for stronger environmental regulations. Reporting is vital to our efforts in holding polluters accountable and promoting environmental justice.
If you notice any of the following, please report it immediately:
- Unusual Odors: Strong chemical smells, gas leaks, or any other unfamiliar odors.
- Visible Emissions: Smoke, flares, or unusual discharges from industrial facilities.
- Water Contamination: Discoloration, strange smells, or unusual substances in local water bodies.
- Health Symptoms: Respiratory issues, skin irritations, or other symptoms that you suspect may be linked to environmental pollution.
- Light Pollution: Excessive or misdirected artificial light that disrupts natural light cycles and impacts local wildlife or human health.
- Noise Pollution: Persistent or loud noises from industrial activities, traffic, or other sources that affect the quality of life or cause health concerns.
- Other Concerns: Any activity that seems harmful to the environment or public health, including spills, leaks, or illegal dumping.
Report an Incident to BCMAC
Phone: 724.503.2614.
Email: report@marcellusawareness.org
Social Media: Send us a direct message or tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. We also encourage you to join our Eyes on Pollution Facebook group!
What Happens Next?
Once you submit a report, our Eyes on Pollution team will carefully review your submission and take the necessary steps to address the issue. Actions we may take include:
- Data Review: We thoroughly assess the information provided to understand the scope of the issue.
- Episodic Testing: When appropriate, we conduct episodic testing to verify and document the problem, ensuring accurate and credible evidence.
- Collaboration with Authorities: We work closely with local, state, and federal agencies to resolve the issue and hold violators accountable.
- Community Alerts: If there’s a potential health or safety risk, we’ll notify the community promptly to keep everyone informed and protected.
If we need more information, we’ll be sure to reach out to you. If you don’t hear from us, consider it a good thing—your report has been reviewed, and the issue is being addressed. Rest assured, we investigate every report we receive to protect our community and the environment.
Report an Incident to Regulatory Agencies
We highly recommend signing up to receive Beaver County emergency alerts via multiple contact methods including voice, text and email. You can do that here.
Environmental Emergencies
If anything you witness feels like a true emergency, you can call Beaver County Emergency Services at 911 (emergency dispatch) or 724.775.1700 (non-emergency dispatch). Wireless customers across all of Southwestern PA can also send text messages to a 911 operator from a mobile phone or device if there is a situation that does not allow them to call.
An environmental emergency is a sudden threat to the public health or the well-being of the environment, arising from the release or potential release of oil, radioactive materials, or hazardous chemicals into the air, land, or water. Examples of environmental emergencies include:
- oil and chemical spills,
- radiological and biological discharges, and
- accidents causing releases of pollutants
These emergencies may occur from transportation accidents, events at chemical or other facilities using or manufacturing chemicals, or as a result of natural or man-made disaster events. If you are involved in or witness an environmental emergency that presents a sudden threat to public health, you must call the National Response Center at 800.424.8802.
Environmental Complaints/Health Concerns
You can submit a report to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA-DEP) by calling 866.255.5158, or you can submit an environmental complaint using their Online Form. Complaints are reviewed Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM. You can report an environmental emergency to the PA-DEP by calling 800.541.2050.
If you or a family member are experiencing health symptoms related to your environmental complaint, click “yes” when asked the above question. Your complaint will then be forwarded to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Keep in mind that noise and light pollution can have negative health effects too!
Alternatively, you can submit an environmental health concern directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Health by using their Online Form or by calling 717.787.3350. Complaints are reviewed Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM.
If you witness or are involved in a pipeline emergency or you smell gas, move to a safe location and call 911. You can also report it to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) by calling 202.366.4488.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has an Online Form to report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
Other Environmental Complaints
If you see anything on any waterway that might be a disturbance to wildlife, you can call the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at 855.347.4545. Complaints are reviewed Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM. If your concern is specific to wetlands, you can call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 800.832.7828.
For concerns about wildlife such as foxes, birds, and rabbits, caused by development and other human encroachment, you can submit a tip to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service using their Online Form or by calling 800.344.9453.
If you have complaints related to workplace safety and health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals or unsafe working conditions, you can submit a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) using their Online Form or by calling 800.321.6742.
The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) launched EPA Watch to spotlight and fight back against the Trump Administration’s rollbacks of public health and environmental protections. You can submit an anonymous tip for their researchers and attorneys to investigate potential wrongdoing, abuse of power, or other causes for concern at EPA by using their Online Form.