CLEAR July 2010

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1 participants
8 discussions

<clear> Proposed Landfill near Bruceton Mills for Drilling By-Products
by Duane330＠aol.com 27 Jul '10

27 Jul '10

Friends of the Cheat has been informed that a developer is proposing to build and operate a 150 acre industrial landfill about 1 mile south of Bruceton Mills, in the Big Sandy sub-watershed (please see attached map). The WV Department of Environmental Protection has been informed about this potential project, but has yet to receive the Class F industrial landfill permit application. Friends of the Cheat was advised to contact the Preston County Solid Waste Authority to find out more information, but has yet to receive a response. We were also informed that local landowners may have already sold land in the areas of interest but we do not know this for certain. According to the information provided to Friends of the Cheat, the landfill, a proposed solid waste facility, would serve as a disposal site for residual brine from natural gas drilling operations. Residual brine is a term for a by-product of Marcellus shale drilling, specifically a process called hydro fracturing or fracing. Water recovered from the fracing process contains a variety of proprietary compounds in addition to high levels of salt. The environmental impacts of these fluids is yet to be determined and many aspects of the process is currently unregulated here in West Virginia. Other pollutant threats include sediment from construction and increased truck traffic. Friends of the Cheat is concerned about this potential development. The Big Sandy sub-watershed was the first local area successfully restored from the impacts of abandoned mine drainage (AMD) pollution. A collaboration of partners, agencies, and individuals logged many hours and contributed millions of dollars to bring the Sandy back. This success story was recently highlighted in Trout Unlimited's report, "Restoring the Wealth of the Mountains: Cleaning Up Appalachia's Abandoned Mines": http://www.tu.org/atf/cf/%7BED0023C4-EA23-4396-9371-8509DC5B4953%7D/TU%20AMD %20report.pdf “The Little Sandy doesn’t look like most streams polluted by mine drainage,” says Bill Thorne of the TU P. Pendleton Kennedy Chapter. “It looks like a healthy stream lined with boulders, riffles and good forest canopy.” The Little Sandy used to hold thriving trout populations, but extensive mining in the middle of the 20th century led to their demise. “A lot of people looked at us like we were crazy for trying to bring back Little Sandy, because they thought the stream would be dead forever,” says Thorne. “But a few of us saw that the water’s worst was in its past and that we could help it in the future.” Working through the River of Promise framework, several mine drainage treatment technologies were installed along the Little Sandy and its feeder streams during the late 1990s. Notably, several of these projects were made possible by the OSM Appalachian Clean Streams Initiative. The National Mine Lands Reclamation Center at West Virginia University was also a key player, adding both the experience and ability that come from years of exploring mine drainage issues. These combined efforts paid off. In 2002, state fisheries biologists discovered many young-of-the-year brook trout in a Little Sandy tributary to which a team of volunteers, including many TU members, had transferred brook trout during the preceding year. Because brook trout cannot survive without clean, cold water, the fact that natural reproduction was occurring was a significant sign of progress for the watershed. In addition to providing habitat for West Virginia's most popular game fish and state fish, the brook trout, the Big Sandy is a getaway for whitewater enthusiasts. Referred to as "a pristine whitewater jewel...unlike anything else on the east coast," the Sandy hosts a variety of rapids that will challenge top notch kayakers (lower Sandy) and entertain the family (upper Sandy). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RVqglTw-6Q&feature=channel The Big Sandy and its tributaries also provide valuable fresh water resources to the local community, which includes some of Preston County's most valued farm land. Friends of the Cheat encourages concerned individuals and groups to stay informed and ask questions about the proposed landfill. The permitting process requires public meetings, but it is imperative that the research and conversations begin now so everyone is prepared for a healthy discussion based on facts. Please distribute this e-mail and information to community members, fisherman, boaters, environmental advocates and anybody downstream so we can work together to protect the Sandy. Sincerely, Amanda Pitzer Executive Director Friends of the Cheat

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proposed TMDL's for Cheat watershed streams
by Duane330＠aol.com 26 Jul '10

26 Jul '10

CLEAR members and friends. We very much need some people interested in the Cheat watershed to attend one or both the meetings below. I'll be on my annual vacation trip with family until August 8th. Duane Nichols ============================================================ Monday, July 26, 2010 @ 5:01 PM ============================================================ The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will conduct the first of two public meetings on draft Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for selected streams in the Cheat Watershed at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 3 at Camp Dawson’s Armed Forces Reserve Center in Kingwood, Preston County. The Armed Forces Reserve Center is located approximately one mile west from the intersection of Route 7 and River Road. Route 7 also is known as Main Street and Veterans Memorial Highway. The meeting was originally listed for a different location at Camp Dawson (240 Army Road) but was moved to the Reserve Center. The second meeting for draft Cheat Watershed TMDLs is set for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4 at Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis. The public meetings are intended to present a general discussion of the TMDL development process and to answer questions regarding the proposed TMDLs. A TMDL is a plan of action used to clean up streams not meeting water quality standards. Each of the streams under TMDL development has been identified as violating state water quality standards and the federal Clean Water Act requires TMDL development for them. TMDLs are being developed for fecal coliform bacteria, aluminum, iron, manganese, pH and biological impairments for selected streams. The DEP invites public comment on all aspects of the draft TMDLs. The comment period began July 26 and extends through Aug. 23, 2010. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. Mail and electronic mail. The preferred form for comment submissions is e-mail or disk in order to expedite the review and response process. Written comments should be postmarked no later than Aug. 23, 2010. Comments should be sent to: Steve Young, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, 601 57th Street, Charleston, WV 25304. E-mail: stephen.a.young(a)wv.gov Draft documents may be viewed at: www.dep.wv.gov/WWE/watershed/TMDL/grpa/Pages/default.aspx

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Work session this Wed. @ 9:30 am
by Duane330＠aol.com 20 Jul '10

20 Jul '10

CLEAR Work Session. We will have a work session at the Millstone Point, just south of the Day Use Boat Docks near the Morgan Run Backwater, on Wednesday, July 21st starting at 9:30 am. Each person must sign it at the Guard House and indicate that they are working with CLEAR. The work involves the cutting of vines and underbrush, the collection of debris from the land and shoreline between Millsone Point and the Day Use Boat Docks. We will then be able to use this area for "swimming at your own risk". There is poison ivy in the tree grove along the shoreline. So, please bring boots, pants, long sleeve shirts and gloves. Also, much of the debris is in the water, so some wading and handling of wet tree limbs may be involved. (Chad Pierskalla sprayed much of the poison ivy yesterday, but we didn't get it all and it will take some time to eradicate it.) Let me know if you have questions. And, let me know if you can participate. This location on Cheat Lake is very beautiful and the view of the trail, lake and dam are excellent. Duane Nichols, CLEAR Cell: 304-216-5535

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CLARIFICATION --water withdrawal monitoring
by Duane330＠aol.com 15 Jul '10

15 Jul '10

CLARIFICATION Last week Friends of the Cheat was notified that the WV DEP had issued guidance against water withdrawals from WV streams. Because there is no current rule mandating water withdrawals the guidance is open to interpretation and also not enforceable. From what we understand inspectors are open to interpret this guidance and determine whether withdrawals are appropriate. Still, if you see something that concerns you--please report it to the WV DEP Oil and Gas office. I apologize for any confusion. Below is the direct quote from WV DEP: By James Martin, WV DEP: “Please get word out to the inspectors that under the current conditions, flows in many streams, perhaps most streams, are not going to be at sufficient levels for withdrawals. _If they witness such activity and it is clear that the flow is too low they should stop the activity immediately_. If they have a question about the flow conditions, they can contact the office to check the stream gage information through the withdrawal tool”. *WV DEP Office of Oil and Gas* Preston County inspector: Bryan Harris (304) 553-6087 Mon County inspector: Tristan Jenkins (304) 552-3874 Inspector supervisor: Dave Belcher (304) 926-0499 ext. 1647 (304) 389-7590 cell Amanda Pitzer Executive Director Friends of the Cheat www.cheat.org Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. - Gary Snyder

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Update on Dunkard Creek @ OLLI
by Duane330＠aol.com 10 Jul '10

10 Jul '10

LATEST UPDATES ON DUNKARD CREEK FISH KILL AND WATER QUALITY ISSUES NOTE! If you are not a member of OLLI –WVU (see below), and plan to attend, we ask you email Don Strimbeck at _dcsoinks(a)comcast.net_ (mailto:dcsoinks@comcast.net) , stating you plan to attend. We need to ensure we got enough seats for attendees!! Wednesday 14 July, 6:30-8PM, Mountaineer Mall, Morgantown WV. Barry Pallay informed me (Strimbeck) that this meeting is open to the PUBLIC and NEWS MEDIA. Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at WVU http://www.olliatwvu.org/ Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. "The Dunkard Creek Fish Kill and the Future of Our Streams and Drinking Water" Barry Pallay, Frank Jernejcic, and Wallace Venable, July 14 Classroom A Recent incidents involving the quality of drinking water and the fish kill on Dunkard Creek have drawn attention to issues related to treating waste water, especially during exceptional stream flow situations. Both incidents involved high levels of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) resulting from human activity. This class will provide an opportunity to learn more about the TDS problem and methods of mitigation. Barry Pallay is a chemical engineer, vice-president of the Upper Monongahela River Association (UMRA), and chair of the Monongahela River Recreation & Commerce Committee (MRRCC). During fisheries biologist Frank Jernejcic’s many years with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, he has observed both improvement and a number of disasters in water quality. Wallace Venable is a mechanical engineer, technical coordinator of UMRA, and webmaster for UMRA and MRRCC. Above meeting will be at OLLI classroom A at the Mountaineer Mall, Morgantown WV. Don Strimbeck, Sec/Treas, Upper Mon River Assoc, _www.UpperMon.org_ (http://www.UpperMon.org) Email: _dcsoinks(a)comcast.net_ (mailto:dcsoinks@comcast.net)

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Environmental Costs of Marcellus Gas
by Duane330＠aol.com 10 Jul '10

10 Jul '10

July 9, 2010 | Scientific American Concerns Spread over Environmental Costs of Producing Shale Gas The extent to which utilities will burn natural gas to slash carbon dioxide emissions tied to global warming is a national issue. But on the ground, where it's being produced, the issues become very local. By _Joel Kirkland_ (http://www.scientificamerican.com/author.cfm?id=2404) and _ClimateWire_ (http://www.scientificamerican.com/author.cfm?id=2308) : See the web-site below: _Concerns Spread over Environmental Costs of Producing Shale Gas_ (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.… hale-gas-concerns&ct=ga&cad=:s1:f2:v0:i0:lt:e2:p2:t1278759102:&cd=bLatCGsz14 E&usg=AFQjCNFw3B88RujfhjvcS_t2OiMqBE1DHA)

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Temporary Moratorium on Water Withdrawals
by Duane330＠aol.com 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

NOTICE.................................. In response to increased temperatures, lack of substantial rainfall, and overall depleted levels of surface and groundwater, the WV Department of Environmental Protection has issued a temporary moratorium on all water withdrawals for natural gas drilling operations. If you see what appears to be a tanker withdrawing water from a stream you are urged to contact the WV DEP Office of Oil and Gas. Please note specifically WHERE and WHEN you saw the withdrawal and any identifying characteristics of the vehicle (license plate #, company name, etc.) Enforcement starts with keen eyeslease help protect our precious water resources. Contact information is provided below: *WV DEP Office of Oil and Gas* Preston County inspector: Bryan Harris (304) 553-6087 Mon County inspector: Tristan Jenkins (304) 552-3874 Inspector supervisor: Dave Belcher (304) 926-0499 ext. 1647 (304) 389-7590 cell Violations: Helen Hardman (304) 926-0499 ext. 1650 Emergency Hotline: 1-800-642-3074 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director, Friends of the Cheat

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FRACing impacts on drinking water (EPA meeting)
by Duane330＠aol.com 07 Jul '10

07 Jul '10

EPA TO HOLD INFORMATIONAL MEETING IN CANONSBURG, PA ON A RESEARCH STUDY ADDRESSING HYDRAULIC FRACTURING'S POTENTIAL IMPACT ON DRINKING WATER "Hydraulic fracturing" is an increasingly common method to access Natural gas, but concerns are being raised about its impact on drinking water. EPA is hosting informational meetings to draft a study plan to study the potential adverse impact of fracking on drinking water. One of the meetings (one of four nationwide) will be held July 22 from 6-10 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Canonsburg, Pa. to plan and develop the study. The public is invited to comment on the draft study plan and must pre-register at _http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com_ (http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com/) (http://www.epa.gov/epahome/exitepa.htm) by Monday, July 19. _Click here for the schedules of all the informational public meetings_ (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_hydroout.html#meetings) which will also be held July 8 (Texas), July 13 (Colorado), and August 12 (Binghamton, N.Y.). For more information on hydraulic fracturing, go to _http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html_ (http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html)

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CLEAR July 2010