A bill proposing a moratorium on leasing state forest preserves to gas companies has kicked the bucket in the state senate. The bill received little coverage in the traditional news media. Here's a link about it:
http://www.kyw1060.com/Pa--Forest-Land-Moratorium-Bill-Stalls-in-the-Sena/6971961
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Seismic Test Survey
Today a man driving a gator-type ATV appeared on our property. He claimed his company had been contracted by a gas company to do an initial survey before more substantial seismic surveys. He asked me if there were any water wells or springs on the property. We have many springs on our property. I tried to point them out to him, but he didn't seem to make a note on his topo maps. In fact, he seemed generally confused. English wasn't his first language, so perhaps this caused some of the confusion.
From what I could tell, part of his job was taking his gator on trails through the woods--mapping this trails so that the team doing the seismic survey could use them.
My hope is that a detailed seismic survey will help the gas companies avoid disturbing the water aquifer or the relatively shallow Catskill Shale formation. I found myself wishing that the man I encountered today was doing a more thorough job. My impression was that he wasn't too sure of what he was doing.
From what I could tell, part of his job was taking his gator on trails through the woods--mapping this trails so that the team doing the seismic survey could use them.
My hope is that a detailed seismic survey will help the gas companies avoid disturbing the water aquifer or the relatively shallow Catskill Shale formation. I found myself wishing that the man I encountered today was doing a more thorough job. My impression was that he wasn't too sure of what he was doing.
Introducing myself and my views
My name is Nat Bouman. I grew up in Brackney, PA and returned to live here with my wife and start a family. We love the beauty of this region's landscape and have strong connections to the people of this area.
I am an environmentalist, but I am not diametrically opposed to developing the region's natural gas resources. If it is developed responsibly, the potential economic benefit of gas development could help sustain the rural character of this part of Susquehanna County. I have many close friends and relatives who have signed leases with gas companies.
Unfortunately, I have not seen enough evidence to convince me that developing the Marcellus Shale formation in this area is reliably safe. I have seen disturbing evidence supporting the contrary. Like many residents of this area, my primary concern is the state of our water supply. I believe that it is possible to develop the Marcellus Shale formation safely in this region, but possible does not yet mean probable.
With this blog I intend to document the gas developing activity in the area. My approach will primarily be personal and anecdotal.
I am an environmentalist, but I am not diametrically opposed to developing the region's natural gas resources. If it is developed responsibly, the potential economic benefit of gas development could help sustain the rural character of this part of Susquehanna County. I have many close friends and relatives who have signed leases with gas companies.
Unfortunately, I have not seen enough evidence to convince me that developing the Marcellus Shale formation in this area is reliably safe. I have seen disturbing evidence supporting the contrary. Like many residents of this area, my primary concern is the state of our water supply. I believe that it is possible to develop the Marcellus Shale formation safely in this region, but possible does not yet mean probable.
With this blog I intend to document the gas developing activity in the area. My approach will primarily be personal and anecdotal.
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