----- Original Message ----- From: CCWALBRIDGE@cs.com To: gmcorio@mail.wvu.edu ; suetaft@ncweb.com ; honeymow@aol.com ; backlundpaddles@juno.com ; vsmith@ap.org ; steepcreeks@yahoo.com ; chrisrkirkman@yahoo.com ; JMac221@aol.com ; chevymanmp@adelphia.net ; ikayak4fun@hotmail.com ; Chrizee@msn.com ; warlickone@hotmail.com ; jblack@mail.nesc.wvu.edu ; bob_spangler_jr@yahoo.com ; emtem@mountain.net ; info@karstsports.com ; Tom_Chapman@FWS.gov ; bobgedek@icubed.com ; frankly@mtparty.org ; ehughes@wvpubcast.org ; bill.blauvelt@verizon.net ; SStough@gcnetmail.com ; KKehoe@dnr.state.md.us ; mtnlionwv@direcway.com ; jhamill@dejazzd.com ; dbrown@americaoutdoors.org ; jblaney@quixnet.net ; chuckstump@juno.com ; riverrat55@hotmail.com ; Grady.Fred@NMNH.SI.EDU ; adam@hazmatlaw.com ; moxiemeister@hotmail.com Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 11:09 AM Subject: Industrial Landfill Planned for Bruceton Mills Area
I recently learned that that a developer is proposing to build and operate a 150 acre industrial landfill about 1 mile south of Bruceton Mills, in the Little Sandy and Big Sandy watersheds. The proposed 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 used fracking material is processed and dried. This concentrated, dried material must be disposed of, and project will concentrate drilling waste from a large area. The fracking process is not regulated by the state and federal government so no one knows what chemicals it contains. The WV Department of Environmental Protection has been informed about this project but has yet to receive their Class F industrial landfill permit application.
This projects could have serious effects on the community. Local residents, farm animals, and game species all depend on surface and ground water and many fracking chemicals have very harmful effects. The river is also a popular recreational resource, with thousands of people kayaking, swimming, and hiking beside its waters each year. The Little Sandy was recently reclaimed, after a multi-million dollar investment, from the effects of acid mine drainage caused by many years of coal mining, For the first time in many years the river supports brook trout. This, too, is at risk.
Marcellus Shale gas is important to the area and to the country. We all need energy for all facets of life. Like many of my neighbors, I leased my land for gas exploration and have friends who work in the gas business. I'd like this work to be successful, but have trouble sifting between environmental hype and industry spin. Events in the Gulf show that we can't trust industry to do the right thing. Any advice, contacts, or thoughts are welcome.
Sincerely,
Charlie Walbridge 1886 Little Sandy Road; Bruceton Mills, WV 26525 304-379-9002; ccwalbridge@cs.com