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-seek...) Organized by concerned Morgantown area citizens: Kathy Cash, Sharon Goodman, Ann Payne, Marc Glass, Catherine Tall, Sandra Fallon, Cindy O'Brien