Work Halted At Quantum Loophole Following Environmental Incident

Some clay was released at the work site.Buckeystown, Md (KM) Work has been stopped at the Quantum Loophole site in Buckeystown due to an environmental incident.Frederick County officials say the contractor, NPL, was using bentonite for drilling when it was released. Bentonite is a clay material which is commonly used in drilling, and that includes drilling wells for drinking water. .Inspectors are trying to determine how much of the clay was released, and whether it contaminated groundwater or a nearby stream. The County says the drilling operation occurred near a tributary of the Monocacy River.The work at the site was halted by order of an environmental inspector with the Frederick County Division of Planning and Permitting. Because of the potential for environmental concerns, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the County Health Department have been notified.The stop work order was issued on Monday afternoon within hours of the county being alerted to the incident, officials say.Nearby residents who notice any cloudiness in their water can contact the County Health Department’s Environmental Unit at 301-600-1719.By Kevin McManus