CLEAR May 2011

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CONCERN FOR MARCELLUS WELLS IN OUR AREA
by Duane 24 May '11

24 May '11

COMMUNITY COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE May 25 We are growing! Keep up the momentum! Let's Hear YOUR Voice Again and Again!! Together we can STOP Marcellus Gas Drilling at Morgantown Industrial Park Upstream of Morgantown's Drinking Water Plant Near County Schools! PLEASE COME to a Community-side Rally to Express YOUR Concerns and Questions WHERE: Mon County Courthouse Square, High Street, Downtown Morgantown WHEN: Wednesday, May 25, Noon to 1:00 pm Bring Your Kids, Bring Your Friends, Bring a Sign (g-rated) Please forward this announcement to your friends, family and neighbors. Rally contact: frackinquestions(a)gmail.com June 2 PUBLIC MEETING ON THE ADVERSE IMPACTS OF MARCELLUS NATURAL GAS ACTIVITIES: WHERE ARE WE, WHERE ARE WE GOING Date: Thursday, June 2, 2011. Time: 6:15 PM SHARP. [Doors Open at 6:00 PM]. Location: Skyview Elementary School (near Marcellus well site) [Off River Road just South of DuPont Road, South of Westover] SPONSORS: WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds Compact (Barry Pallay & Duane Nichols) and the League of Women Voters (Kitty Lozier, Phyllis Marshall, Janice Gunel, Jonathan Rosenbaum) Welcome and Introductions (Identification of Groups Present). Barry Pallay, Co-Chair Watersheds Compact, VP UMRA Overview of Permitted Wells near Morgantown Industrial Park In Relation to MUB Water Intake, Local Schools and Other Facilities. Evan Hansen, President, Downstream Strategies The AES Sweetwater Facility for Recycling Marcellus Frackwater Being Installed at theMorgantown Industrial Park. Duane Nichols, Co-Chair Watersheds Compact The Proposed Preston County Landfill for Marcellus Wastes Under Consideration in the Cheat Watershed. Amanda Pitzer, Friends of the Cheat. Review of Marcellus Natural Gas Development Activities in Pennsylvania. Martin Niverth, UMRA. Update on Wetzel County Marcellus Developments. Bill Hughes, Wetzel County Action Group Status Report on Activities to Ban Marcellus Drilling in and around Morgantown and the Watershed that Provides Drinking Water to Morgantown. Speaker TBA Update on the Citizens Stream Monitoring Program of the Isaac Walton League. John Butler West Virginia Source Water Protection, Certification & Training Program. How Does It Relate toMorgantown Needs. Bill Toomey, DHHR, Bureau of Public Health WVU Source Water Protection Resource Program. How Does It Relate to Morgantown Needs. Gerald Iwan, WVU National Environmental Services Center WV-DEP Division of Water & Waste Management Programs Related to Source Water Protection, How Does It Relate To Morgantown Needs. Invited. WV-DEP Division of Air Quality Programs Related to Air Quality Protection. How Does It Relate to Morgantown Needs. Invited. The Land Protection Program of the WV-DEP Office of Oil and Gas Land/Mineral Protection Programs. How Does It Relate To Morgantown Needs. Invited. Army Corps of Engineer Water Resources and Management Programs, How Does It Relate To Morgantown Needs. TBA Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) Programs, How Does It Relate To Morgantown Needs. Tim Ball, Director, MUB Update on Activities of the Morgantown Area Concerned Citizens. Kathy Cash, Sandra Fallon, Ann Payne, Alice Meehan, Catherine Tall Listing of the Concerns of the Groups Present. Barry Pallay, Facilitator Resolutions on Water, Air and Land Protections Programs. Barry Pallay, Facilitator Concluding Remarks and Announcements Duane Nichols, Home- 304-599-8040, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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Water, water, but what is in it?
by Duane330＠aol.com 15 May '11

15 May '11

Watershed Report: our newest feature Observer-Reporter, Washington, PA, May 15, 2011 Much of the quality of life here in Southwestern Pennsylvania has to do with the quality of our water. It is what we drink and what we use for cooking, washing and bathing. We use it to water our gardens and our crops. We swim in it and we fish in it. It is the blood of the veins of our land. And that is why it is so crucial to protect our water resources from the numerous and increasing sources of pollution: sewage, fertilizer and pesticides, industrial wastes and contaminants from coal mining and gas drilling. A coalition of local organizations - the Greene-Washington County Water Quality Awareness Group - is now working in cooperation with the state Department of Environmental Protection to regularly test creeks and streams for pollutants. This newspaper has agreed to publish its monthly reports, the first of which appears today. Today's report calls attention to Whiteley Creek in Greene County. Results of the testing by volunteers and the DEP indicate that it is a "hot spot" in need of action to prevent it from suffering the damages inflicted on Dunkard Creek, made lifeless by mine water. We applaud the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League and the other groups in the coalition for their efforts in preserving our most vital natural resource. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Marcellus Gas Drilling is Scheduled to Begin in Morgantown Industrial Park Soon Upstream of Morgantown’s Drinking Water Plant Near County Schools PLEASE COME to a Community-wide Rally to Express YOUR Concerns and Questions WHERE: Mon County Courthouse Square. High Street, Downtown Morgantown WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 10:00 to Noon Bring Your Kids and Bring a Sign (G-rated) Please forward this announcement to your friends, family and neighbors. For your information: Morgantown Utility Board’s letters to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection stating its concerns are attached and can be downloaded from the Charleston Gazette blog: _http://blogs.wvgazette.com/watchdog/2011/05/13/morgantown-utility-board-see ks-drilling-safeguards_ (http://blogs.wvgazette.com/watchdog/2011/05/13/morgantown-utility-board-see…) Organized by concerned Morgantown area citizens: Kathy Cash, Sharon Goodman, Ann Payne, Marc Glass, Catherine Tall, Sandra Fallon, Cindy O'Brien

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Work underway on two Marcellus wells near Morgantown
by Duane330＠aol.com 14 May '11

14 May '11

REPORT ON THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MORGANTOWN LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS At the annual Morgantown League of Women Voters meeting today, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out what the major topic of discussion was about. Both Barbara Fleischauer and Charlene Marshall were in attendance (Amanda Pasdon is a member, too). Legislators can be members but they can't serve on Board positions. The Natural Resources committee convened after the meeting. We will have a spokesperson at both Tuesday evening's City Councils meeting and the Wednesday morning's County Commission meeting. Our approach will be to ask for both an injunction and a City ban like the one Wellsburg just passed that includes extending the ban 1 mile from City's boundaries which is allowable under State law if a City feels it is under threat. The sentiment is that Morgantown should have an ordinance ban, and that Morgantown's Lawyer is incorrect in his assertion that such an ordinance would have no legal teeth because of Home Rule. Morgantown LWVWV thinks as many organizations as possible should be pushing for an injunction. The Morgantown LWV is going to advertise in the newspaper (LTE) that we will be present at both the City Council and County Commission. The news now is that drilling will begin on Wednesday so we still have a tiny bit of time. Fracking starts at a later date. -Jonathan Rosenbaum

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Ice's Ferry bridge being replaced
by Duane330＠aol.com 14 May '11

14 May '11

DOMINION POST local page 7A Saturday 14 May 2011: History surrounds Ice’s Ferry, bridge CURIOSITY GETS the better of us as contractors prepare to build a new bridge to replace the Ice’s Ferry span across Cheat Lake along W.Va. 857. We know there is much history surrounding the bridge location and the lake bed that once housed an entire community. Some remember buildings that existed in that area when there actually was an Ice’s Ferry carrying people across Cheat River. Others recall playing baseball at a field eliminated when the river was dammed for its hydroelectric capabilities. Elliott’s roller mill, built in 1840, was one of the facilities near where the ferry crossed. The first bridge was erected in 1900, but it was destroyed by an ice floe in 1918. One section of the current bridge was erected in 1920. Extensions were added when the river was converted into a lake. The area had at least 16 ferries operating from time to time between the early 1780s and 1806. The Ice’s Ferry vessel was among the most prominent because of its location. It provided a way to move people, animals and vehicles from Morgantown to the east side of the river. One of the most famous people to cross the ferry was George Washington, on his survey of an east-west road in 1784. As a boy, Washington also did some surveying in this region for Lord Fairfax, who was granted a vast area of land in western Virginia. He had nearly 300 tracts of land surveyed in this region. Fairfax, who considered himself a British subject, was saved from embarrassment during the Revolutionary War because of his friendship with Washington. Fairfax became despondent when the British were defeated Oct. 19, 1781, and died soon after at the age of 92. Before the war ended, the government of Virginia began taking Fairfax’s property and giving it to settlers. That region today lies in West Virginia. Meanwhile, back to the Ice’s Ferry Bridge (or Cheat River Bridge if you prefer), that’s to be replaced by October 2012. Efforts by the state to sell the iron bridge for a dollar didn’t materialize, so the contractor will dismantle it as a new span is built. When the ferry was about to cease operations in 1900, there was a near tragedy involving local citizens. They had crossed on the ferry in their carriage, heading to Mont Chateau. On the return trip, their carriage toppled into the river. All passengers were rescued unharmed. Isaac Hastings operated the ferry in 1877. By 1882, it was used by a four-horse stage coach that carried passengers from Morgantown to Uniontown, Pa. When the first bridge across the Cheat at that location was destroyed by ice in 1918, the ferry was in operation under the management of Harry Hall. It remained in operation until the new span was finished in 1920. For many years after the lake was formed, local residents talked about the hazards that could be in store for swimmers and boaters. They thought that barbed-wire fences and farm buildings were still under the water where a person could be snagged and injured. Although there have been many drownings in the lake during its existence, none was associated with underwater hazards that I know of. There have been instances of people being killed or injured near the bridge. Although swimming in that area has been prohibited, some young swimmers still used the span as a diving board. There also have been times when stolen goods, such as a safe, have been dumped into the lake near the bridge. Now, we are entering a new era, with new stories about the 2012 Ice’s Ferry Bridge. JOHN SAMSELL is a retired copy editor/ special sections editor for The Dominion Post. His column appears Saturday. Send email to johnsamsell(a)hotmail.com.

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Tapping good water is not a simple task
by Duane 10 May '11

10 May '11

TOAST TO TAP WATER– Celebrate National Drinking Water Week from May 1st to May 7th, 2011! ........I just received this today, May 10th! Since Americans drink more than one billion glasses of tap water per day, a safe water supply is critical to protecting Americans’ health. How is your community protecting your tap water? What actions can you can take to protect your precious water supply? Share your thoughts and ideas at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/ OBAMA ADMINISTRATION COMMITS TO CLEAN WATER PROGRESS Despite the dramatic progress of the Clean Water Act, an estimated one-third of U.S. waters still do not meet the swimmable and fishable standards. The administration has developed a new framework to increase water protection through the promotion of innovative partnerships, water efficient communities, restoring important water bodies, protecting public health, enhancing recreational water use, updating water policies, and scientifically solving water problems. For more information, go tohttp://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/clean-water >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< SEE ALSO THE "SUSTAINED OUTRAGE" BLOG ENTITLED: "Morgantown Drilling Approved With No Public Input" at the web site below: http://blogs.wvgazette.com/watchdog/2011/05/06/morgantown-drilling-approved… >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Duane Nichols, Home- 304-599-8040, Cell- 304-216-5535

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Marcellus Shale Gas Activities in the Mon and Cheat River valleys
by Duane 06 May '11

06 May '11

> From: Frack Check WV <frackcheckwv(a)gmail.com> > Date: May 6, 2011 1:09:09 PM EDT > Subject: Monitoring Marcellus Shale Gas Activities in the Cheat River Watershed > > Monitoring Marcellus Shale Gas Activities in the Cheat River Watershed > > Monitoring Marcellus Shale Gas Activities in the Cheat River Watershed > Posted: 06 May 2011 07:16 AM PDT > The lower Cheat River watershed is now challenged by an influx of Marcellus shale natural gas development. An article and map have been prepared by the Friends of the Cheat (FOC) to illustrate how these sites are concentrated, many on quality streams. As of early April, there have been over 50 Marcellus related gas permits issued in Preston County. > > Also, construction has commenced on a natural gas gathering pipeline running south from the WV/PA line northeast of Bruceton Mills. Superior Appalachian Pipeline Company of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, broke ground for a 16-mile natural gas project on March 1st. Superior said the area has had limited ability to transport natural gas, and the new pipeline will make that easier. > > Further, rumors of a commercial solid waste facility to accept the dried byproduct of produced water swirled last summer. An article in the Morgantown Dominion Post on July 28, 2010 said that the rumors of a new landfill for Marcellus drilling wastes near Bruceton Mills had raised concerns among local citizens. And, on April 29, 2011 this same newspaper reported that a meeting was underway with the WV-DEP in Charleston to discuss such a landfill with an unidentified company. It was reported that the WV Public Service Commission would not approve a landfill without the approval of the Preston County Solid Waste Authority. > > This region’s oil and gas inspector has over 5,000 wells on his roster and the development of many new wells is just getting started. FOC works each day to remediate the impacts of pre-regulatory coal mine pollution. Over $50 million has been spent cleaning up these impacts in the Cheat River watershed and some 14 treatment systems have been installed. The progress that has been made to clean up the Cheat River and Cheat Lake is now at stake. “Let’s take our time and do it right this time,” said Amanda Pitzer, Executive Director of the Friends of the Cheat. She said that “We can all wait. The gas will still be 8,000 feet under our beautiful mountain homes in the mean time.” > > > Two Marcellus Permits Issued for Morgantown Industrial Park, Upstream of Drinking Water Intake > Posted: 05 May 2011 10:44 PM PDT > View Larger Map > The WV DEP, in March, issued permits for Northeast Natural Energy of Charleston, WV to drill two Marcellus gas wells on a well pad in the Morgantown Industrial Park. The company has the option to apply to drill four more wells on the pad. The fact that the site is located upstream of the Morgantown drinking water intake, could be a large source of air pollution almost inside the city, and had no public comment period before the permit was issued, has caused concern among officials and watershed groups. > > Read the full article in the Charleston Daily Mail… > > The map above is an approximate location. For exact coordinates of the well pad, search for API#061-01622 on the WV DEP Oil and Gas Interactive Map > > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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The CHEAT FESTIVAL is THIS SATURDAY
by Duane 05 May '11

05 May '11

"INTO THE CANYON" NEWSLETTER See also: www.cheat.org Duane Nichols, Cell- 304-216-5535.

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CLEAR May 2011