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Pr otecting Communities and Special Places
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e-Newsletter April 26, 2013
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IMAGE: Richard Karp
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"DCNR has ... worked very hard to protect the forest ...
the question isn't about how hard DCNR will work,
it's really a question of whether or not
drilling there is necessary right now - and, if ever."
~ Rep. Rick Mirabito,
83rd District
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Marcellus Shale Documentary Project
Tuesday April 30
7 p.m.
"Connecting the Dots: Marcellus Shale Players Echo Chamber"
Presentation by
Dory Hippauf
Moose Exchange Stairwell GalleryBloomsburg, PA 
Click the box for more information
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World Series
of Birding
 A message from James Dunn:
Greetings fellow environmentally concerned citizens! On May 11, my family will be competing in the 30th Annual World Series of Birding in Cape May, NJ. Sean, Kellie and I are asking for your support to help advocate for land conservation in Pennsylvania by making a modest donation to the KEEP IT WILD effort. We expect to see about 40 species, so a 25-cent contribution per bird species would total $10. This year we will be competing for the Swarovski Carbon Footprint Cup, which means that all birds must be identified while we are exclusively under our own power. We will be walking and biking as we identify birds. Contributions can be made online here through the RDA donation page; please mark contributions as pledges for the World Series of Birding in the subject line. If you prefer, you can download a pledge form here and mail it to RDA. Thank you! Your support will help to conserve our special places like Rock Run and Old Loggers Path. Click here for more information on the World Series of Birding
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Rep. Vitali Hosts Hearing on Health and Environmental Concerns of
Shale Drilling
Thursday, May 2
10:00 a.m.
Minority Caucus Room (Room 418 Main Capitol building).
Representative Vitali will host a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee in the State Capitol in Harrisburg to attempt to answer the question: What can state government do to make shale drilling more protective of human health and the environment?
Questions?
Contact:
Robert Fogel
Legislative Assistant
State Representative
Greg Vitali
1001 East Darby Road Havertown, PA 19083
Office: 610.789.3900 Fax: 215.560.4197
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Support the Fresher and Breathe Acts
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In The News
Truckload of Drill Cuttings Sets Off Radiation Alarm
at Landfill
DEP began a comprehensive study of radiation in drilling-related
wastes this year.
Benzene in Parachute Creek in Colorado
Williams energy continues to attempt the clean-up of benzene from a tributary of the Colorado River. Read more here.
Tim DeChristopher Released from Prison on Earth Day
In 2008, Tim DeChristopher posed as a bidder at an oil and gas rights public auction to save the land from drilling. Federal officials saw little humor in his act, and he was convicted for interfering with the auction, serving 21 months in federal detention.
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We welcome your active participation and are in
need of help for special events, publicity, research, and other projects.
Contact us for details.
As a 501(c)(3)
non-profit
organization, RDA
relies on donations
for the important work we do. In order for
RDA to continue its valuable education
and advocacy
outreach in 2013, please consider
a tax-free contribution
to our efforts.
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Attend the May 1 Public Hearing for the Loyalsock State Forest!
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Press Conference Held to Announce
Loyalsock State Forest Public Hearing
By Ann Pinca
Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) held a press conference on April 23 to announce the May 1 Democratic Policy Committee Public Hearing for the Loyalsock State Forest. He was joined by several other Representatives including Rep. Rick Mirabito (D-Lycoming) and numerous representatives of Pennsylvania recreational and environmental advocacy groups.
"The reason we're here is that ... this wonderful area ... is threatened by proposed drilling by Anadarko," stated Vitali. He went on to say that current plans "will really degrade the quality" of the Loyalsock State Forest. In his words, "The bottom line is that it will be severely compromised if the plan as proposed goes in."
Mirabito echoed Vitali's concerns. He noted that the public has repeatedly asked for a "fair and balanced approach to natural gas." To Mirabito, that approach includes public comment. His hope is that by allowing the public to weigh in, Governor Corbett will listen to public input and "will use his power and authority to make sure that we do the right thing here."
Included with the organizational representatives were founding RDA member Ralph Kisberg and board member Mark Szybist, staff attorney for PennFuture. Kisberg described Pennsylvania's pristine heritage prior to industrialization, noting that while once even the Susquehanna River ran crystal clear water,
development since the mid-18th century has degraded the clarity of the Commonwealth's waters to the point where we do not realize the heritage we have lost.
Kisberg maintains that Rock Run is a living 21st century reminder of the beauty and power of the natural world: a priceless, irreplaceable cultural resource that deserves special care and protection. Says Kisberg, "We want a ferocious protection of what is the Commonwealth's."
Szybist outlined the intricacies of the unusual legal issues surrounding the area under dispute, the Clarence Moore lands. He described the court cases leading to today's situation, citing that in Pennsylvania it is "bedrock law" to look to the deed when deciding property rights, and the deed in this case grants Pennsylvania the complete control of the surface rights of the 19,000 disputed state forest acres. Consequently, Szybist says that "the DCNR should not agree to any development deal until all alternatives have been considered and exhausted."
Much meaningful input was provided by the other organizational and political representatives, several of whom will present testimony at the May 1 hearing in Williamsport. As Rep. Mirabito so aptly concluded, this hearing is not as much about DCNR's ability to protect the Loyalsock State Forest as it is "a question of whether or not drilling there is necessary right now - and, if ever."
Read more here and here
Listen to Mirabito's statement:
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IMAGE: Richard Karp
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A Walk on the Wild Side:
Old Loggers Path and Ellenton Grade
By James Slotterback
Our fourth Keep it Wild hike highlighted a truly amazing and imminently threatened area.Sullivan Mountain on Old Loggers Path (OLP) was our destination.We started on Yellow Dog Road and followed OLP as it wound around the mountain tops.The diversity of the area was as stunning as the views.Several crystal clear streams of the Rock Run watershed were crossed on our trek.We heard many warblers and other song birds.
This section of the Loyalsock State Forest is included in the Audubon's Important Bird Areas (IBA's). Red efts, salamanders, porcupines and pitcher plants highlighted the biodiversity of this hike. Impressive rock formations dotted the landscape, and we were afforded sweeping views of the valleys on the summit of Sullivan Mountain.The mountain top walk was 7.7 miles and while it was mostly flat, it is still Pennsylvania hiking with rocks, roots, and ruts.
A total of fourteen people joined us for this hike.We had some new faces in the crowd and a surprise visit from Jeff Mitchell.
Jeff wrote several books about
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IMAGE: Richard Karp
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hiking and exploring Pennsylvania. Hiking the Endless Mountains: Exploring the Wilderness of Northeastern Pennsylvania is one of his books that our committee uses to plan our hikes, and it was fitting for our group to walk these trails with him.
From the summit of Sullivan Mountain, we could see the recently completed wind farm in the distance.Standing on a mountain top that may be developed and industrialized for natural gas and watching the wind turbines turn on a nearby ridge really brought home the stark contrast of renewable energy and the realities of fossil fuel extraction.Yes, they both have an environmental footprint, but there is no comparison in the long term loss of core forest, stream impact, air quality, and noise pollution.
This area in the Loyalsock Forest IS a special place.Let's keep it that way.
Visit www.keepitwildrda.org and learn how to help
View all of photographer Richard Karp's pictures here
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IMAGE: Richard Karp
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Earth Day Brings Protestors to DEP Offices
Across the State
By Ann Pinca
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Offices across the state found protesters at their doors on Monday, April 22. Focused on health impacts and accountability, the Earth Day protestors asked DEP offices to act with integrity to protect Keystone State citizens from the consequences of
shale gas extraction. Protestors in Meadville carried a mock coffin as a symbol of the death of Pennsylvania's environment as well as the state's agriculture and tourism industries. In Williamsport, protestors presented a large banner listing local citizens suffering health impacts from drilling near their homes. The protestors were unsuccessful in their request to speak with Daniel Spadoni, community relations coordinator for the north-central regional office, who was not available. His assistant did listen to the protestors' concerns, but the assistant did not have authority to answer any questions. The Williamsport protest took place from approximately 12:30-3:30 p.m. Watch the WNEP video hereSee more pictures of the Williamsport protest here |
Protestors organize outside the DEP office in Williamsport on Earth Day.
IMAGE: Wendy Lynne Lee
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RDA Newsletter
Ann Pinca, managing editor
Ted Stroter, RDA Board of Directors editor
Ralph Kisberg, contributing editor
Robbie Cross, President - RDA Board of Directors
Jenni Slotterback, Secretary - RDA Board of Directors
Barb Jarmoska, Treasurer - RDA Board of Directors
Mark Szybist - RDA Board of Directors
Kevin Heatley - RDA Board of Directors
Roscoe McCloskey - RDA Board of Directors
This weekly e-letter is written and designed by the RDA consultants and Board of Directors and sent to RDA members/subscribers. Every effort is made to assure complete accuracy in each issue. This publication and the information contained herein is copyrighted by RDA and Ann Pinca and may not be reproduced without permission. All rights reserved. Readers are invited to forward this newsletter in its entirety to broaden the scope of its outreach. Readers are also invited to comment to the managing editor regarding contents and to submit articles to be considered for publication in a future issue.
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Donations may also be sent by mail to: Responsible Drilling Alliance, P.O. Box 502, Williamsport, PA 17703
Thank you for your support!
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