 A forest in peril, history repeated?
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August 15, 2014
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Now is the time to stand up for the Loyalsock State Forest & our feature article highlights MANY good reasons to do so!
There's been a nice development on the Cove Point front, as well as the release of a very well researched & executed study from Earthworks, "Blackout in the Gas Patch." Our next Keep it Wild hike is happening TOMORROW, and we've added the NYC People's Climate March event to the sidebar. Come on out and hike Jacoby Falls with us, take part in the "Action Points" in the sidebar and be sure to get outside & enjoy what's left of the summer!
Thank you for caring, and staying informed.
Sincerely,
Brooke Woodside
Managing Editor
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A forest in peril, history repeated?
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by Ralph Kisberg, RDA Member
Last week State Representative Greg Vitali of Delaware County introduced House Resolution 500, which concludes:
RESOLVED, Governor Tom Corbett and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Ellen Ferretti should exercise all of their Constitutional, statutory, and discretionary powers to prevent drilling operations in the Clarence Moore Lands to the maximum extent possible, so as to preserve the wild character of the Loyalsock State Forest.
This simple request, co-sponsored by 50 Democratic and 7 Republican state representatives, was immediately misinterpreted by the press and dismissed by the Governor's Energy Executive, Lycoming County native, Patrick Henderson.
In an interview with Andrew Staub of the PA Independent, Mr. Henderson's position was clear:
...But even though the state owns the tract known as the Clarence Moore lands, it can't just seal it off from drilling... That's because the mineral rights to the land belong to Anadarko and Southwestern Energy, and the state must give them "reasonable" access to drill there. The environmentalists that raised objections are just perpetuating the "myth" the state can simply tell drillers they can't access the land. That's not accurate. It's not sensible. It would expose the citizens in Pennsylvania. Imagine the fallout if you simply deny somebody the right to access that which they own."... Click here to read the full article.
Mr. Henderson's statement on the subject of access is beyond ironic, considering the restrictions many citizens have faced while trying to access private property in-holdings within leased and developed state forest tracts. As evidence of this, read the NPR news story of Lycoming County's Bob Deering (listed to the right "In Other News"). And what about the owners of all public lands, the people of the Commonwealth, you and I - as we face denial of access during encounters with overly-aggressive security guards who try to block or impede our right of entry into the public lands we own?
If the Commonwealth's leadership actually believed in the environmental rights amendment of our State Constitution, if they actually upheld the mission of the DCNR, they would see an opportunity in the unique circumstances of the Clarence Moore lands - an opportunity to advocate and negotiate for a solution that protects a treasured tract of core forest that the people of PA and the entire DCNR staff knows is worthy of such protection.
House Resolution 500 neither states nor implies that the Commonwealth has complete control over all of the Clarence Moore lands. Nor does it ask Governor Corbett to "simply tell drillers they can't access the land." The resolution points out that as interpreted by Pennsylvania's judiciary, a restriction in the Commonwealth's deed gives the DCNR the power to deny access to 3/4 of the Clarence Moore lands, and it asks the Governor and the DCNR to use that power - something that Article I, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Conservation and Natural Resources Act require. Essentially, House Resolution stands for the proposition that the government should comply with the law, rather than ignoring it. This is not a radical proposition.
Unfortunately, Mr. Henderson and the rest of the Commonwealth's leadership do not seem to understand this. Instead, they waste the taxpayers' money making industry arguments, interfere with the DCNR's ability to do its duty, and cower before the bullying tactics of the lead developer, Anadarko, the largest lessee of state land. All of this for a one-time infusion of cash and trickle down economic activity as assets they are sworn to protect are severely compromised, and the deep-woods forest experience of this public land, irreparably destroyed.
Some of you who've been around a while may recall the demolition of Manhattan's original Pennsylvania Railroad Station 51 years ago. The loss of that architectural masterpiece woke people up all over the nation to the importance of fighting to preserve irreplaceable buildings in their communities. Small in numbers at first, that movement grew due to a vocal minority who understood what their elected officials refused to recognize or couldn't grasp.
But for this movement, New York's Grand Central Station would have met the same fate. In Williamsport, it took a while for that minority to reach critical mass in order to overcome momentum for the demolition of our downtown Post Office and Federal Building, now the City Hall. Today, who in this community is not appreciative of that building and the foresight of those who fought to preserve it?
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pitcher plants - photo credit: Brooke Woodside
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The impending rush to develop the Clarence Moore lands has united conservation and environmental groups around the Commonwealth. But we still have not reached the critical mass needed to wake up those in power. Development plans are being formulated, but the chainsaws have not yet arrived. It's not too late to prevent another Pennsylvania Station moment in the history of the preservation of community assets so vital to society. This time around, it is our treasured public land. Will you stand up and join the fight?
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VICTORY! RDA is proud to have played a role in the Cove Point Protests, and congratulates everyone who worked tirelessly to make this court decision possible.
The story below is edited from comments made by Mike Tidwell, director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN):
For months, CCAN and our partners have been warning that corporate leaders and elected officials were cutting dangerous corners in the permitting process for the proposed fracked gas export facility at Cove Point, Md. This week, Judge James Salmon agreed with a big part of our argument, ruling that Calvert County commissioners had illegally exempted mega-company Dominion Resources from a host of local zoning ordinances.
At a minimum, this ruling will likely cause real delay in the ability of Dominion to begin major construction of this controversial $3.8 billion fossil fuel project. The ruling should certainly give pause to the Wall Street investors that Dominion is recruiting to finance this risky project. As fracked-gas exports grow increasingly controversial nationwide, we believe the court ruling in Calvert County this week is just the opening step in exposing the truth about this unsafe, climate-harming, and economy-damaging facility.
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| Blackout in the Gas Patch |
New report: Pennsylvania prioritizes fracking at expense of law, health, environment
Unprecedented investigation of gas permitting and operations statewide demonstrates that the rush to drill is undermining enforcement of regulations, protection of public
Washington, DC - The environmental and health impacts of gas development have been connected for the first time with a lack of state oversight on a site-by-site basis in a new report released by Earthworks. A year in the making, Blackout in the Gas Patch: How Pennsylvania Residents are Left in the Dark on Health and Enforcement documents and analyzes the permitting, oversight, and operational record of 135 wells and facilities in seven counties--and identifies the associated threats to water and air that are harming the health of nearby residents.
Blackout's findings, based primarily on documents and data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), are a clear indication that the state:
Prioritizes development over enforcement: Steep DEP budget cuts and pro-fracking political leadership--exemplified by Governor Corbett's 2012 executive order mandating permitting on very short deadlines--send a clear message. No similar executive action requires timely DEP inspections or pollution responses.
Neglects oversight: Many of the wells examined for this report had never been inspected. Statewide, DEP left approximately 58,000 active wells (89%) uninspected in 2008; in 2013, DEP inspected thousands more wells-but the growth in drilling and production meant that more than 66,000 active wells (83%) weren't inspected.
Fails to consider known threats: Despite increasing density and proximity of oil and gas development to residences, DEP issues permits without considering the cumulative impacts on air and water quality.
Undermines regulations: DEP doesn't ensure that operators prevent degradation of special protection waterways or keep track of the location and safety of contaminated waste that is buried at well sites. DEP issues waivers without justification for practices that would otherwise violate the law.
Prevents the public from getting information: Many documents that operators are required to file and DEP maintains are missing from files and not included in public databases. This makes it impossible for a directly affected resident to find out how the facility is performing, problems that have occurred, and whether their health is at risk.
"Legitimate, well-funded oversight should be a prerequisite for deciding whether to permit fracking, not an afterthought," said Nadia Steinzor, the report's lead author and Earthworks Eastern Program Coordinator. She continued: "Governor Corbett and DEP Secretary Abruzzo often say that the state has an exemplary regulatory program--but refuse to acknowledge that it's not being implemented properly and that air, water, and health are being harmed as a result. DEP's limited resources make it impossible to keep up with required paperwork, let alone enforce the law and hold operators accountable."
"The Governor and DEP claim that gas and oil operations are safe and that they have everything under control. I live with it every day, and know that's not true--and this report confirms it," says Pam Judy of Carmichaels in Greene County. "I don't understand why DEP thinks it's acceptable to let operators oversee themselves and make profits at the expense of my family's health."
The Judy family's experiences are featured in Blackout in the Gas Patch and represent the first case study from the report. Six additional case studies will be released over the next few weeks. Each one examines operations, incidents, DEP oversight and enforcement, and air emissions and water quality concerns, including detailed timelines and maps of sites within a one-mile radius of selected households, as well as inspections and violations within a two-mile radius.
"There's a national crisis in fracking oversight," says Bruce Baizel, director of Earthworks' Oil & Gas Accountability Project. "This report focuses on Pennsylvania, but it easily could have been written about Ohio, or the federal Bureau of Land Management, or Denton, Texas. Blackout illustrates why many residents across the United States have given up on the idea that regulators can manage the oil and gas boom, and are working so hard to stop fracking." Click here to be directed to the Earthworks "Blackout" page.
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In Other News
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Private Control of Public Land
On any given day Bob Deering doesn't know how much trouble he'll have getting to and from his home. He lives on a mountain in Lycoming County and he's routinely stopped and questioned by security guards. It's been happening for the past six years - ever since the natural gas boom began.
Ohio Contractor Sentenced to 28 months for Dumping Fracking Waste
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The owner of a Youngstown oil-and-gas-drilling company was sentenced Tuesday to 28 months in prison for ordering employees to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fracking waste into a tributary of the Mahoning River.
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Study: Top Fracking States Ignore Findings That Their Drinking Water Is At Risk
A recent national report from the Government Accountability Office found that a higher regulatory standard is needed to ensure that drinking water sources are protected from fracking wastewater practices. But the largest circulating newspapers of the states with the highest levels of fracking production -- therefore among the most vulnerable to its risks -- have ignored this study.
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KIW Hike #19
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Jacoby Falls
This public hiking trail is located near scenic Wallis Run just northeast of Williamsport. The trailhead can be found north of State Route 973 along Wallis Run Road (State Route 1003). Beginning at the Cotner Farm, this trail travels moderately steep terrain for 1.6 miles before climaxing at the beautiful Jacoby Falls. Although it is an easy hike, you should still be careful, as rocks may be slippery. A round trip can be completed easily within 3 hours even if you stop periodically to enjoy the sites. If you would like to join us and are unsure how to get there, please feel free to CONTACT US. We hope to see you there!
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#18 - Smith's Knob
There was a change of plans after the initial scope-out of the Graff Woolever Trail. It was a little too overgrown, so we decided to start off in the same place and head north up to Smith's Knob instead.
The July 27th hike to Smith's Knob was both challenging and beautiful. Hikers should be aware that there are 2 ways to access the grandeur of the panoramic view at Smith's Knob from Little Bear Creek Road off of Route 87 between Loyalsockville and Barbours. The first is to park in the large parking lot across from the Ranger's cabin, then proceed a short distance up the wide trail at the back of the parking lot and then follow the trail markers beginning on the right. This trail takes you up a number of fairly steep, and to some like myself, somewhat endless uphill stretches with only short segments resembling flat terrain. My first trip up this way I nearly tied one of our hike leaders to a tree and left him to the wild animals after the 6th time in approximately the first 1&1/2 hours of the hike he insisted that the top was "just over the next hill". Nevertheless, I actually enjoyed the hike as the exertion made the view at the top even sweeter.
On this July Sunday, we came back down this "steep" way after taking a trail up that starts at Painter's Run (about 1/2 mile or so further up Little Bear Creek Road.) I found this trail that follows along a small creek for some distance to be more interesting, and occasionally stopped to watch some of the small brook trout we saw if we didn't make too much noise. There are also more wildflowers to see along this route and we were even regaled by some pretty red Bee Balm plants.
Either way you take, the top of Smith's Knob is a wonderful place to stop, enjoy the view, and take some pictures of the vista and the Loyalsock Creek below. I'd recommend bringing sufficient water and a snack or lunch to have while at the top, giving yourself a good 3 hours for the entire trip. It is easy to see why the Loyalsock Creek valley and the surrounding mountains and state land are very special places that must be preserved at all costs from any potential unnecessary development.
KEEP IT WILD!!!
by Ted Stroter, RDA Member and Chemical Advisor
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bee balm
photo credit: Roscoe McCloskey
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Sunday, September 21
In September, heads of state are going to New York City for a historic summit on climate change. With our future on the line, we will take a weekend and use it to bend the course of history.
In New York City there will be an unprecedented climate mobilisation - in size, beauty, and impact. Our demand is a world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet. In short, a world safe from the ravages of climate change.
This moment will not be just about New York or the United States. Heads of state from around the world will be there, as will the attention of global media. We know that no single meeting or summit will "solve climate change" and in many ways this moment will not even really be about the summit.
We want this moment to be about us - the people who are standing up in our communities, to organize, to build power, and to shift power to a just, safe, peaceful world.
To do that, we need to act - together.
RDA members will be attending this event, please CONTACT US if you are interested in joining our party.
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Frack Free Parks
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The Campaign Continues
It's not too late to participate in the "Frack Free Parks" campaign initiated by the Save the Loyalsock Coalition. Take a "selfie" in the woods with THIS SIGN and email it to frackfreeparks@gmail.com
so they can upload it to the tumblr site. Then feel free to share it all over your other social media.
 | | photo: James Rowe |
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PA Moratorium Petition
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Request a Moratorium on Further Leasing of our State Park and Forest Land
Our state forests are rare places that provide respite and recreation for our citizens. The proposed lift on the moratorium of gas leasing will lead to further drilling that will jeopardize fragile ecosystems. Our state forests and parks should be set apart, protected and held in trust for the future.
We need your help to stop additional gas leasing of state park and forest land. We urge you to please take action by sending a message to your legislators so the General Assembly will not open the door to additional leasing.
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Request Full Disclosure of the Chemicals Used in the Fracking Process
The United States is in the midst of a rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") to extract oil and gas from deep rock formations. Communities have raised concerns about the more than 750 chemicals and other components used in the drilling process.
But right now, companies can keep these chemicals a secret-along with any health and environmental effects they may have. Even when fracking-related accidents or chemical spills happen, doctors and public safety officers don't even have access to the chemical exposure information necessary to treat and protect people.
People have a right to know what chemicals are being used in their neighborhoods.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has drafted a comment form to the EPA. Click the link below & be sure to customize your comment for a stronger impact.
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Tell President Obama to put the brakes on fracked LNG Exports.
Right now, communities across the country are facing air, water, and climate pollution at the hands of natural gas companies.
And the stakes have gotten even higher -- the potential for more fracking so the natural gas industry can export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to other countries.
President Obama is only hearing one side of the story from the Department of Energy, and it favors the natural gas industry. DOE's recent study on the economics of fracked gas exports completely ignores the public health, environmental, and climate costs of an export rush.
Let's remind President Obama of all the other costs -- the cost of buying drinking water because your well is polluted with fracking chemicals, lost work days because your child is sick due to respiratory problems, and increasing utility bills to heat our homes while communities are left to pay the price for fracking.
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Sign Up/Make a Donation
We welcome your active participation and are in need of help for special events, publicity, research, and other projects.
It costs nothing to sign up for our e-newsletter or become a member of our organization, but tax-free donations are accepted & greatly appreciated.
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 2014, please consider a tax-free contribution to our efforts.
Membership levels:
Adventurer..................$10
Explorer......................$20
Woodlander................$50
Guardian..................$100
Naturalist..................$500
Preservationist.......$1,000
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RDA Newsletter
Brooke Woodside, RDA Working Group, Managing Editor
Barb Jarmoska, Treasurer - RDA Board of Directors, Editor
Ralph Kisberg, RDA Working Group, Contributing Editor
Robbie Cross, President - RDA Board of Directors
Jenni Slotterback, Secretary - RDA Board of Directors
Mark Szybist - RDA Board of Directors
Roscoe McCloskey - RDA Board of Directors
Jim Slotterback - RDA Board of Directors
This biweekly e-newsletter 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 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. There is a forward link below. Readers are also invited to submit articles to be considered for publication in a future issue.
Please note: The RDA newsletter includes reporting on a variety of events and activities, which do not necessarily reflect the philosophy of the organization. RDA practices only non-violent action in voicing the organization's beliefs and concerns.
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Phone: 888.233.1244 (toll free) Please mail donations to: RDA, PO Box 502, Williamsport, PA 17703
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Copyright © 2014. All Rights Reserved.
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