The Banality of Influence
by Ralph Kisberg
"The questions of hearings, it's not something that we've ever done.
It's not something that we do. We would not discuss proprietary information, and you have to understand that any development proposals by a company is proprietary information. Just like any contract we would be negotiating with somebody ... we would not
discuss in any open meeting any proprietary information."
So said DCNR Secretary Richard Allan to Williamsport Sun-Gazette reporter Matt Hutchinson following the closed-door meeting between DCNR and a handpicked group of local officials and stakeholders last Thursday at Loyalsock State Forest Headquarters in Sullivan County.
While RDA is appreciative of being represented, we agree with the belief frequently and clearly expressed in the meeting that gas development in the Rock Run/Old Loggers Path area is the business of everyone in the Commonwealth. The views of statewide stakeholders need to be heard.
There were at least four RDA members present: myself; Andrea Young, representing the Muncy Creek Watershed Association; retired fishery
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IMAGE: Wendy Lynne Lee
Those without invitations wait outside the meeting room.
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biologist Harvey Katz, representing his many
decades of dedicated professional study
and work on environmental issues; and RDA
board member and professional restoration
ecologist Kevin Heatley. We four were not
the only defenders there to represent the
outdoor-oriented public interest in the
Clarence Moore Tracts.
Lycoming County Commissioner Tony
Mussare explained: "Citizens have faith in
DCNR on protecting our natural resources ...
(other areas have) Yosemite, the Grand
Canyon. This is our crown jewel."
McIntyre Township Supervisor Al Boyer
summed the issue up clearly. "Politicians
are soft on the gas industry ... We've been
sold out by politicians. Are we going to
work together and solve this problem? ... Stay out of Rock Run!"
The Trout Unlimited representative made it known: "(We are) interested in not letting PA Wilds become an oxymoron ... not museum parcels of wild areas ... (we want) ridge to ridge protection of Rock Run, including the area above Yellow Dog, (Doe Run and Buck Run)."
Rep. Greg Vitali of the 166th District in southeastern Pennsylvania led the charge for inclusion of more stakeholders saying, "This is a statewide issue ... there is need for a public meeting, public discussion."
He pointedly asked, "What is the goal of DCNR?"
DCNR's response was, "Minimize drilling impact or maximize revenue ...
it is a complicated legal matter ... DCNR's goal is to manage properly, enter discussions ... DCNR must respond to Anadarko."
Rep. Vitali: "Will the public know before you make a decision and will they have the option to give input?"
DCNR: "The (development) plan is proprietary, but at some point it has to be vetted by public ... It would not be ... (before) a final offer ... The questions of hearings, it's not something that we've ever done. It's not something that we do. We would not discuss proprietary information."
The question not asked: When stakes have been laid on public land
outlining where development is to occur for all to see, how is it still proprietary?
Lycoming County Rep. Rick Mirabito relayed a comment made to him by a local scout leader. "What's the point of going up there anymore? It's just going to be ruined."
The Representative also emphasized the need for public participation.
"DCNR must engage the public and thereby share responsibility in the decision," said Mirabito. He also asked,"Can we ... protect the rights of future generations?"
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Inside the meeting room. IMAGE: Wendy Lynne Lee
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What emerged from the meeting was clear. Secretary
Allan, or rather
the Corbett administration, does not understand the
heart of the matter.
As is their pattern,
they are more concerned with the rights of the gas industry than those of the public. They are more concerned with their perception of the needs of the present over the needs of the future.
The presence of the Governor's office and attitude was physically and psychically in the room. Supervisor Boyer and Rep. Mirabito's unnamed scoutmaster understand what is at stake. The Governor and the area's most influential politicians, Senator Yaw and Lycoming County Commissioner Jeff Wheeland, do not. The public needs to let them know, clearly and
effectively, as if speaking to a sullen teenager: YOU NEED AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT.
The Clarence Moore Tracts are public land with severed mineral rights.
Those rights were obtained inexpensively because they were tainted by a deed restriction that was split by a court decision. The starting point for the Commonwealth should be a ferocious defense of the Commonwealth's remaining resources up there: the quiet and tranquil state forest, the many headwater streams, the sensitive threatened and endangered species, including the human species' ability to recreate away from the footprint of shale gas development.
The Governor needs to hear from you. This is not just his land, it is ours.
It belongs to the people, present and future. Questions posed by both Wheeland and Yaw, the Governor's and the gas industry's sycophants, exposed their biases.
Commissioner Wheeland: "Wells drilled on DCNR land, have there been any spills, irreparable damage?"
Senator Yaw: "Department has been leasing for 4 or 5 years, do you have any information on percentage of land impacted?"
These are not the issues in this situation. The real issue is how do we protect what we have, a gas-development-free sanctuary for wildlife,
for human re-creation, for the future?
The Commonwealth has something Anadarko Petroleum and the other mineral rights owner wants: surface access that is not legally their right
on 18,000 of the 25,000 acres in question. On the other 7,000, access must be allowed, but with sensible setbacks protective of the Commonwealth's rights and without the other 18,000 acres, is surface development cost effective?
An uninspired government up against a ferocious corporation is an unfair fight. Anadarko Petroleum has thrown its influence all over this county and this Commonwealth.
It started by hiring Williamsport's former Mayor, Mary Wolfe, to handle government relations. Anadarko Petroleum leased a large amount of space
in a county office building and brought more high-paying white collar jobs to town than any other operator. They made sure money is spread around to key local ancillary businesses. All were legal and smart industry moves, but how do they affect the perspective of key decision makers? Senator Yaw, chair of Pennsylvania's Senate Energy and Environment Committee, has 150 acres leased to Anadarko Petroleum, with 99 acres in a unit with three gas wells.
Lycoming County has a planning commission chairman who has business interests as interwoven with the fortune of the gas industry as anyone in Pennsylvania. Those interests include road and well pad construction. And let's not get started on political contributions to the Governor and other officials by the gas industry. These "leaders" are so tied in, so wrapped up, they can't even see their duty or their opportunity for one small gas-development-free legacy.
Those of us who care need to remind them in a public and frequent way: Protect what we have. Fight for it. You work for us.
Make your call now! Governor Corbett: 717.787.2500
Secretary Allan: 717.772.9084
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Rep. Garth Everett explains that it's
just a business meeting.
Video: Dean Marshall
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Images from Thursday's DCNR closed door meeting on gas drilling in Rock Run
Video by Williamsport Sun-Gazette
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