Frackfree Mahoning Valley

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Mahoning Fracking Rig Drive-through Held By Concerned Citizens

You have to see it to believe it!

UPDATE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLTGWpYhZlU 3 min. Blockade at Meander Reservoir Fracking Well

Blockade at Meander Reservoir Fracking Well on Sunday, October 14, activists with Frackfree Mahoning Valley protested this well site and formed a blockade at the entrance of the site, refusing to move. They arrived at 10:30 a.m. and after more than four hours of blockading the entrance, activists decided to peacefully resolve the blockade with no arrests or confrontations. Fracking contaminates ground and surface water. An internal industry report found that six percent of wells have leaks immediately upon completion. Fracking uses a secret blend of toxic chemicals to shatter rocks deep within the Earth. Those chemicals can contaminate the water through negligence and through mechanical failure. No matter the safety record of a company—in this case Console Energy—wells fail, and overtime all wells break, becoming sources for water contamination. The Cadle fracking well site sits less than 100′ from a stream—a direct tributary of the Meander Reservoir. The Ohio EPA is responsible for the environmentally protected zone. The ODNR should have consulted with the Ohio EPA before granting the permit for this well. This action comes just days before Youngstown City Council will decide whether or not to lease city lands for fracking.

UPDATE |||

A group plans to protest the horizontal well being drilled in Jackson Township beginning at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct 14, 2012. The Cadle well has been drilled within the environmentally protected zone that protects the Meander Reservoir f rom contamination. The well is located on Blott Road just east of the intersection with South Bailey Road. The protest is organized by Frackfree Mahoning Valley and will include students and professors from Youngstown State and Kent State universities, Oberlin and Hiram colleges, and University of Akron. MORE: http://www.facebook.com/events/416137221775675

Concerned Citizens Mahoning Valley Watershed Hold Drive-Through at Fracking Gas Drilling Rig, Thurs., Sept.. 27, 5-6pm

There is now a horizontal fracking rig in the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's Drinking Water Protection Area.

It has been placed on the banks of a stream that runs directly into Meander Reservoir.

A DRIVE-THROUGH
is being held Thurs., Sept. 27, 5-6pm (or by appointment)
where rig information will be distributed,
along with contact information which may be used to inquire
as to whether the district, the emergency responders and the operators are prepared for a blow-out.

If you are a water customer in Niles, Youngstown, Girard, Austintown, Boardman or Canfield-
you must

SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!

Concerned Citizens Mahoning Valley Watershed Hold Drive-Through at Fracking Gas Drilling Rig, Thurs., Sept.. 27, 5-6pm

http://goo.gl/maps/WWAuK MAP

MAP (coordinates 41.0743127586642,-80.8826439770882 )

(coordinates 41.0743127586642,-80.8826439770882 )

well info from permit list:
County: MAHONING
#aAMY0001529 8/24/2012
Lot: 34
Sec: none
Quad: LAKE MILTON
-----------------------------
CADLE MAHN7CHSU
CNX GAS COMPANY LLC
200 EVERGREENE DRIVE
WAYNESBURG, PA 15370
724-627-1246
---------------------------------
Exists: none
Civil Twp: JACKSON
Type: Plug back to horizontally drill
Purpose: OG Rig: RTAF
Formation(s): POINT PLEASANT
Acreage: 159.52
XCoord: 2445902
YCoord: 516964
County Rd: none
Ingress & Egress Township Rd: TR 160/BLOTT
Municipal Rd: none
State Rd: none
================

$horizontal fracking rig is in the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's Drinking Water Protection Area. It has been placed on the banks of a stream that runs directly into Meander Reservoir.$

This horizontal fracking rig is in the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's Drinking Water Protection Area. It has been placed on the banks of a stream that runs directly into Meander Reservoir.

1 Call your State Representatives:
Capri Cafaro: (614) 466-7182 / Joe Schiavoni (614) 466-8285
Sean O'Brien (614) 466-3488 / Bob Hagan (614) 719-3960

2. Call ODNR. Complain that Tom Tomastic should not have been planning this behind the backs of our local officials, including Ohio EPA in Twinsburgh. (614) 265-6922
3. Call the Governor. Tell him what you think. (614) 466-3555
4. Call the Lt Governor. Give her a piece of it as well. Same # as Governor.
5. Call All your local representatives. ALL OF THEM! LIST HERE: http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/callyoungstown.html
6. Join us, October 3, 2012, at 5:30pm at the Youngstown City Council Meeting. City Hall, Phelps Street, 5th floor. WE MUST BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR AT THIS IMPORTANT MEETING!
7. Add your name to the PETITION: http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/
8. Share this on facebook >> on FB at >> http://www.facebook.com/notes/stop-fracking-ohio/youngstown-city-council-do-not-sell-the-mineral-rights-to-youngstowns-public-lan/485771764775956

$horizontal fracking rig is in the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District's Drinking Water Protection Area. It has been placed on the banks of a stream that runs directly into Meander Reservoir.$

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Markert Oct 3 Press Conference on Youngstown Leasing Mineral Rights

EVENT here on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/476396549057858

The Hidden Costs of Leasing to Local Government: Public Banking another Solution to Blight

Howard Markert, Green Party Candidate for Mahoning County Commissioner, will be releasing an open letter to the Mayor and City Council of Youngstown regarding the potential costs to the taxpayers of Youngstown from leasing the City’s mineral rights; at the main entrance of the Mahoning County Courthouse today (Oct. 3, 2012) at 3:30pm. Markert is opposed to shale gas extraction and supports a Citizen’s Rights based ban on shale gas extraction for Youngstown and Mahoning County and will present an alternative way to combat blight and fund demolitions that does not risk the health and finances of Youngstown and Mahoning County residents.
The Presentation will take about 15 minutes and Howard will take questions at the conclusion.
Media Packets will be provided.

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is Howard Markert; I am a homeowner and landlord in Youngstown’s 4th Ward. I am running for Mahoning County Commissioner and I am opposed to shale gas extraction, because I have done extensive research on the subject over the last three years. I would much rather live next to an abandoned house than a toxic waste zone or a heavy industrial site, and that is exactly what a shale gas drilling site is like. I would never have knowingly purchased my home or my rental properties next to an industrial site or any facility using hazardous materials as this would lower my chances for success. Having the city change the makeup of residential neighborhoods into industrial zones will have a significant detrimental effect on property values and quality of life and jeopardizes property owner’s rights to sell or refinance their homes, potentially increasing the number of foreclosures and blighted properties. The FHA/VA rule (4150.2 pg 7 part D) regarding gas wells reads:

OPERATING AND ABANDONED OIL OR GAS WELLS

Operating and abandoned oil and gas wells pose potential hazards to housing, including potential fire, explosion, spray and other pollution.

1. Existing Construction

No existing dwelling may be located closer than 300 feet from an active or planned drilling site. Note that this applies to the site boundary, not to the actual well site.

Source: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/handbooks/hsgh/4150.2/41502c2HSGH.pdf

Please notice that this rule means 300 feet from the property line to the boundary of the drilling activity, which includes the entire well pad site and the horizontal bore. This is more restrictive than the Ohio Revised Code which allows wellheads in urban areas no closer than 300 from a structure and makes no mention of the underground wellbore. By allowing drilling in the city on city property that meets Ohio state law you are potentially creating more non-conforming properties in the city; when you consider that in the city the majority of new owner occupants over the last 5 years have used either an FHA or VA guaranteed mortgage, eliminating this option will have a devastating impact on property values and lead to further blighted homes.

In addition here are the names of banks which will not mortgage properties with mineral leases at all, based upon environmental risk, as per information gained from a mortgage broker: First Place Bank, Provident Funding, Citizens, GMAC, Wells Fargo , FNCB, Fidelity, FHA, First Liberty, &Bank of America. What is the impact of this when you consider the many lenders who won’t write mortgages under $75,000? For most buyers willing to consider Youngstown this means they are unable to find a traditional lender, limiting purchases to cash buyers and land contracts which further lowers property values. For existing homeowners this means it is much harder to refinance properties for home improvements increasing the blighted appearance of our neighborhoods and further reducing property values.

The following question was put to the Insurance Information Institute (NY), an insurance industry group:

Are there any homeowner insurance policies that cover damage resulting from seismic testing or drilling activities, whether occurring on land leased to the oil and gas company or on adjoining unleased land?
If a homeowner signs a lease and allows seismic testing or a gas well on his or her property, will his or her homeowner's policy be renewed, may it be cancelled for a change in circumstance or does the insurance company not mind because damage would be excluded from coverage?
Homeowners in upstate New York are unsure about their rights, obligations, and their ability to obtain insurance.

The I.I.I. responded: “We know of no insurance carrier that would provide coverage in this instance.“Mr. Bob Hartwig, Senior Vice President & Chief Economist at the Insurance Information Institute (NY) advised that if a landowner signed a seismic agreement to allow testing involving explosives to take place without notifying his insurance provider, he had significantly changed the conditions of his coverage; his insurance provider could potentially deny any claim based on that change in conditions. On the other hand, if the homeowner notified his insurance carrier of the seismic activities, he would most likely be cancelled, or at the very least, not renewed on the next renewal date.

Property Insurance: Attorney Randy Marcus notes that a number of insurance companies will not insure leased properties, or have substantially raised their premiums. And any insurance company can raise future rates or not renew policies on leased properties. And leases may remain operative, way beyond the terms in the lease agreement (“held by production”). As people have their insurance cancelled or simply cannot afford the premiums, they will enter into default on their mortgages and potentially walk away from their homes creating more blight.
Source: http://un-naturalgas.org/Lessors%20Page/INSURANCE%20EXCLUSIONS%20WIP.pdf

Youngstown’s citizens have been told it’s all about the money and I do understand that, which is why I am concerned that there has been no public discussion of the potential costs to the city that come with increased drilling activity and if those costs equal or exceed any revenues (signing bonus & royalties) that the city hopes to gain.

So I am calling for a full financial analysis to be made public before the Council moves forward on the Mayor’s proposal. I submit the following information for inclusion in the analysis:

Many liability insurance policies exclude claims from gas and oil extraction, what is the status of the city’s policy and how much will it cost to get a rider that will cover such losses?

If the city has jurisdiction to prevent drilling on portions of the Meander Reservoir Watershed and does not do so what would be the estimated cost of remediation and or replacement of this valuable and vital resource and how would it be paid for? How long would remediation or replacement take?
i) Consider replacement drinking water

ii) Consider impact on tourism, businesses, and industry

iii) Consider contractual obligations for sales of water to other government entities and private corporations

“A water protection zoning ordinance is a regulatory control that typically places some restrictions or standards on activities conducted within a specified zone (such as the corridor management zone and/or the emergency management zone). Such ordinances enable municipalities to require people who live or work in this area to avoid contaminating the source of the MVSD’s drinking water. Ordinances can help ensure best management practices are being employed at local businesses and can help reduce the volume of contaminants stored within the protection area. The MVSD may want to consider working with the counties, townships, and municipalities in the protection area to develop zoning overlays that require specific standards for chemical storage, handling of waste materials, and other source control strategies.”

Source: http://meanderwater.com/Portals/MeanderWater/Documents/MVSD%20DWSPP%20EPA%20Endorsed.pdf page 33

I am even more concerned about the indirect costs to the city, many of which are detailed in the example below.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

• Fire and EMS calls have increased as much as 30%.

• Response time has increased 45 to 60 minutes due to congestion and overworked volunteers.

• Traffic and traffic violations have increased. Law enforcement is stopping many trucks but there are no extra funds to compensate for the increased workload.

• Municipalities are giving every well site an address for their emergency response services; this has required a re-addressing throughout the area in order for there to be consistency.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES

• 30% increase in police and fire dept. emergency response for traffic, DWIs, accidents, crimes.

• 10% of Probation Dept clients are from Texas and Oklahoma (along with 8-10% of those in jail). Of these clients, 95% of crimes are alcohol/drug related.

• Local governments are losing established staff to gas companies due to salary differences making the increased work load even more difficult to manage.

• Some volunteer fire departments are struggling to find enough volunteers for the new demand. There are no new funds from drilling companies to compensate for the increased workload.

• The Courthouse had to limit the number of people searching deeds at any one time because they were over-run with requests for information.

• Since local governments see almost no increase in tax revenue, but drilling increases the costs to local governments, some services have been cut. The court system is using more electronic monitoring of criminals on probation rather than keeping them in custody.

• The county is digitizing the county records.

• Municipalities find it difficult to find the time needed to respond to drilling issues with their current staffing levels.

Source: http://www.tompkins-co.org/tccog/gas_drilling/Resources/Community%20Impacts/Bradford%20County%20trip%2012-15-2010.pdf

Note: Many of the positive impacts mentioned in this report will not apply to the City of Youngstown as we have an abundance of available rentals (rents have not increased locally) and most of the businesses (hospitality & entertainment) that will gain the most benefits are located in suburban communities.

However, we will see an even higher level of crime due to existing availability of drugs and prostitution inside the city limits.

Thank you for considering this information in your decision making process.

Sincerely,

Howard Markert

MORE INFO on Oct. 3 Youngstown City Council Meeting and how to contact them and /or sign petition HERE > http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/callyoungstown.html

Joki Issues Challenge For Fracking Content To Be Included In His Play

Youngstown, Ohio, playwright, Robert Dennick Joki has issued a challenge to fractivists in facebook-"liking" distance to have fracking content included in his next re-write of his origanal play: If he gets 200 likes on the status linked below before OCT 1st, he will write FRACKING into the plot line of this year's production of "How the Drag Queen Stole Christmas." And in the meantime, if you are looking for a fun evening out, check out Rust Belt Theater Co. schedule at Calvin Center, 755 Mahoning Avenue Youngstown, OH 44502 by calling or texting 330-507-2358 or (330) 747-8760 OR Find The Rust Belt Theatre on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rustbelttheater

Go To Facebook and "Like" This Status by Clicking HERE!

Monday, September 24, 2012

"I don’t want to leave my paradise." In Youngstown, Ohio.

October 5, 2012
Dear Editor of the Vindicator:
    Ever since I moved back to Youngstown in 1998, I have felt like I live in paradise. My house sits on a piece of property on the west side of the city, and my backyard borders Mill Creek Park.    Despite the fact that I am only a few minutes away from the busy traffic on Mahoning Avenue and the freeway, I can walk in my yard and see beautiful deer, groundhogs, turkeys, squirrels, and songbirds. In the middle of the night, I can hear barred owls calling back and forth to each other. Although some people might not think that salamanders, toads, fish, frogs, and snakes are a big deal, I also feel lucky to find them on and near my property. My home is a place of serenity to me.
    I also have neighbors who are unbelievably wonderful. Several times, on winter mornings after a big snowstorm, I have awakened to find that my neighbor across the street has shoveled my driveway. This summer, another neighbor, seeing that a tree had fallen in my backyard, came over and cut it up for me. When I wasn’t feeling well, a woman one street over brought me dinner. Some of my neighbors have become my good friends. Like I said, I live in paradise. And I know that my neighbors on the west side of Youngstown feel the same way I do.
    I have spent countless sleepless nights wondering what I will do if City Council allows fracking in Youngstown. What will I do when the drilling results in earthquakes much like the ones caused by the injection well? What will I do when the fish start dying like they did recently in Brookfield as a result of drilling? What will happen to the deer if they drink fracking wastewater, which contains cancer-causing agents and radioactive elements? What will happen to the owls when the air in my neighborhood becomes polluted? Worst of all, what will happen to me, my neighbors, our children, and grandchildren?
    Why is it that the oil and gas industry is exempt from the Clean Air and Water Act? Why do they have the right to poison my paradise??
    If Mayor Sammarone and City Council think that people are moving out of Youngstown because of old, abandoned houses in their neighborhoods, wait until they see how many people move out when the gas industry starts poisoning our air and water. Fracking has already begun right near the Meander Reservoir, the source of our drinking water.
    I urge Youngstown residents to call the mayor and tell him not to sell our mineral rights to the oil and gas industry. Youngstown needs jobs, but we don’t need jobs that pollute our land and water and kill our wildlife. We need jobs that support green energy and keep Youngstown safe.
    I don’t want to leave my paradise.
Sincerely,
Chris Khumprakob
Glacier Heights
Youngstown, OH 44509
===============
CALL - Stop Youngstown, Ohio, from fracking the City
> http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/callyoungstown.html
Youngstown, Ohio, Mayor Charles P. Sammarone & Youngstown City Council on Wed., Oct. 17, 2012, must vote to NOTgreenlight the selling or leasing of Youngstown mineral rights
PLEASE CALL the Youngstown Mayor's Office and City Council Members DEMANDING they CEASE and/or DELAY this action of voting on this ordinace! City Council will vote on this ordinace at Wednesday's City Council meeting at 5.30 PM, EST.
OHIO: A horizontal fracking pad (2 drilled wells) is in the Mahoning Valley, Ohio, Sanitary District's Drinking Water Protection Area. It has been placed on the banks of a stream that runs directly into Meander Reservoir.
1) CALL your State Representatives:
Capri Cafaro: (614) 466-7182 / Joe Schiavoni (614) 466-8285
Sean O'Brien (614) 466-3488 / Bob Hagan (614) 719-3960
2) Call ODNR. Complain that Tom Tomastic should not have been planning this behind the backs of our local officials, including Ohio EPA in Twinsburgh. (614) 265-6922
3) Call the Governor. Tell him what you think. (614) 466-3555
4) Call the Lt Governor. Give her a piece of it as well. Same # as Governor.
5) Call All your local representatives. ALL OF THEM! LIST HERE: http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/callyoungstown.html
6) JOIN us, October 17, 2012, at 5:30pm at the Youngstown City Council Meeting. City Hall, Phelps Street, 6th floor. WE MUST BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR AT THIS IMPORTANT MEETING!
7) ADD your name to the PETITION: http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/
8) SHARE on facebook at >> http://www.facebook.com/notes/stop-fracking-ohio/youngstown-city-council-do-not-sell-the-mineral-rights-to-youngstowns-public-lan/485771764775956
9) INVITE to facebook EVENT http://www.facebook.com/events/416137221775675/
10) PLS Share >> http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/callyoungstown.html

Charles Sammarone Mayor
330.742.8701

Jamael Tito Brown President of Council
330.559.6498
ward3councilman@live.com

Terri D. Dawson Assistant City Clerk
330.742.8709
TDawson@CityofYoungstownOH.com

Paul Drennen 5th Ward Fifth Ward Councilman
330.550.2283
pauldrennen5thward@yahoo.com

Annie Gillam 1st Ward First Ward Councilwoman
330.744.2921
agillamsr@aol.com

Lyndsey Hughes Director of Downtown Events
330.742.8710
lhughes@cityofyoungstownoh.com

Valencia Y. Marrow Clerk of Council
330.742.8708
VMarrow@CityofYoungstownOH.com

L. Nathaniel Pinkard 3rd Ward Third Ward Councilman
330.398.9514
npinkard@cityofyoungstownoh.com

Mike Ray 4th Ward Fourth Ward Councilman
330.792.5956
mikeray@cityofyoungstownoh.com

T.J. Rodgers 2nd Ward Second Ward Councilman
330.272.5108
trodgers@cityofyoungstownoh.com

John R. Swierz 7th Ward Seventh Ward Councilman
330.503.1363
JRSwierz@CityofYoungstownOH.com

Janet Tarpley 6th Ward Sixth Ward Councilwoman
330.503.7582
janettarpley@yahoo.com

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

“Statement: Open Letter” by Frackfree Mahoning Valley to Mayor Charles Sammarone and Youngstown City Council: September 18, 2012

“Statement: Open Letter” by Frackfree Mahoning Valley to Mayor Charles Sammarone and Youngstown City Council: September 18, 2012:   ((( permanent link )))

WHY YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO, MAYOR CHARLES P. SAMMARONE AND YOUNGSTOWN CITY COUNCIL MUST DELAY THE VOTE ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 THAT COULD GREENLIGHT THE SELLING OR LEASING OF YOUNGSTOWN MINERAL RIGHTS, THEREBY OPENING THE DOOR TO FRACKING AND RELATED PROCESSES IN YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Youngstown, Ohio, 9/18/12 - According to the Youngstown, Ohio Vindicator (9/14/12), in an article titled, “Youngstown council to weigh fracking resolution,” by David Skolnick:
“The mayor is asking city council to support a resolution urging the state to have ‘stringent regulations’ on fracking while also seeking council’s approval to sell the city’s mineral rights.
Mayor Charles Sammarone’s resolution calls for the city to support oil and gas drilling, as permitted by the state, as long as Ohio officials ‘respect local concerns by protecting the citizens of Youngstown through stringent and effective regulation …’ ”
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/sep/14/youngstown-council-to-weigh-fracking-res/

Frackfree Mahoning Valley (FFM), a group of concerned citizens from Youngstown, Ohio and the surrounding area, says that fracking and related processes cannot be made safe by implementing “stringent regulation.”
Frackfree Mahoning Valley says that the process is inherently unsafe, as indicated by a mounting number of scientific reports, news articles, and documents.   (Please see some of these reports, news videos, and articles at the following URL:
http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/1/post/2012/08/update-1-for-freedom-from-toxic-fracking-waste-national-rally-day.html   )

This is not solely an issue for Mayor Sammarone and the Youngstown City Council to decide without adequate due diligence that consists of open, public, preferably televised, dialogue, among independent scientists, physicians and other health professionals, public health officials, the general public, lawyers, mortgage and insurance experts, and industry and business representatives.
Immediate increased transparency and public dialogue is necessary to safeguard the public interest.
Frackfree Mahoning Valley urges all Youngstown and surrounding area citizens to please attend the public meeting at Youngstown City Council on Wednesday, September, 19, 2012.
The adverse risks of fracking and related processes to the public health, safety, and well-being are too great to force them upon the public.

Wherever there is fracking there must be millions of gallons of toxic fracking wastewater produced. What are Youngstown’s plans to identify, test and dispose of this waste and other solid fracking waste? It must go somewhere, and Ohio seems to be the state most preferred for dumping or disposal of Ohio’s or other states’ hydraulic fracturing – related waste. If the greenlight is given for fracking in the city, this will by definition mean that more waste in the Youngstown area will be created. Where will it go? What are the plans for disposal?

It has been established that the December 31, 2011, 4.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Youngstown, Ohio and was felt in numerous surrounding states and as far away as Canada, was linked to a fracking waste disposal deep injection well.
The Youngstown earthquake of December 31, 2011, was one of about 12 earthquakes in an area that never had reported earthquakes before the drilling.
The fact that surrounding states as well as areas in Canada reported feeling that 4.0 mag. earthquake, makes the decision that Mayor Sammarone and Youngstown City Council regarding whether or not to allow fracking and related processes in the city, an issue for all of the citizens in those states or province, as well as Ohio. Have they been officially consulted? Not as far as we know.

It is irresponsible to allow fracking and/or disposal of fracking waste in the city for the latter fact alone. There are too many unknowns about where geological faults lie and how to actually prevent fracking-related earthquakes. Injection wells in the earthquake – related moratorium areas must not be started again. Fracking waste disposal in those areas, at least, must be permanently banned. In addition, the so-called “brine” “saltwater” fracking waste must be independently, publicly, completely, and scientifically tested for all components of this substance.

“Stringent regulations” did not prevent the earthquakes, or other accidents that have taken place recently in Youngstown or the surrounding area. One cannot make an inherently unsafe process safe by making more regulations. For example, asbestos was once thought to be safe for use by the public. Science later showed that asbestos is inherently unsafe. No amount of “strict regulation” will make asbestos safe.   This is the same with fracking and related processes. They are inherently unsafe and no amount of regulations will make them safe.

The following fracking – related accidents are not theoretical. This is happening now and must be adequately addressed. These incidents still remain unresolved. If these kinds of spills or accidents are already happening before fracking and related processes are even taking place on a large scale in Ohio, what kinds of health risks and threats to drinking water will the general public face if the industry ramps up full speed ahead? It must be delayed now.

Incidents of concern include but are not limited to:

-Fracking and injection well – related earthquakes:
CNNMoney: “Is drilling causing Ohio earthquakes?" By Poppy Harlow and Erica Fink @CNNMoney January 17, 2012: 11:13 AM ET”
[Especially see second video titled, “Ohio's mysterious man-made earthquakes”]
http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/17/news/ohio_earthquakes/?source=cnn_bin

-A 5-mile long spill of “brine” waste near an injection well that was leaked from a truck on the road in Fowler. It is still not clear what that substance was composed of or how the incident occurred.   Reports show that “brine” waste can contain carcinogenic chemicals and naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). We should know what the community was exposed to as a result of this “brine water” truck spill.
See:
“Weekend Brine Water Spill Reported in Fowler,” WKBN TV News (27),” Published: 7/11 5:46 pm Updated: 7/18 5:56 pm”
http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Weekend-Brine-Water-Spill-Reported-in-Fowler/nIQe3_JvvEqdlJ8FSYrrXg.cspx

-Fish die in a Brookfield, Ohio pond. What exactly caused countless fish to die? Consol Energy was cited by the EPA in relation to the runoff, according to the WKBN TV News report.
See:
“Slag Runoff May Have Caused Brookfield Fish Kill,” WKBN TV News (27) “Published: 7/31 10:14 pm Updated: 8/01 8:11 pm”
http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Slag-Runoff-May-Have-Caused-Brookfield-Fish-Kill/CuanEIQ0pE-bZSFEpq-Aiw.cspx

-The Purple Cat spill – Coitsville, Ohio.   According to the Vindicator cited below: “The spillage drained into an open field near the well site and in the direction of a body of water behind The Purple Cat, the nonprofit, private agency that offers day programs and work opportunities for people with disabilities.”
“D&L faced violations in its past” Published: Mon, January 2, 2012 @ 12:03 a.m., by Karl Henkel, The Vindicator.
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jan/02/by-karl-henkel/

-The Ginsburg well. An Ohio well reported as having numerous serious violations is reportedly still operating.
See:
"Teresa Mills and Heather Cantino - Injection Wells":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyUQ4aP_1UU&feature=related

--Seismic testing allegedly caused damage to the courthouse building in Marietta, Ohio. Could this happen elsewhere and what are the exact risks of seismic testing on old pipes and structures?   Youngstown and other state and city officials should be looking at what happened in Marietta for “lessons learned,” as the title cited below says. Seismic testing is going on currently in various parts of Ohio. According to the Marietta Times article cited below, “…Slight damage occured [sic] in at least one local residence near Ohio 60 where the trucks were conducting their tests. And the seismic waves may be the cause behind a sewer pipe breaking in the new Marietta Municipal Court. The broken line caused sewage and water to leak into a storage area, damaging some records. City engineers say they are also concerned culverts along the way may have been damaged.”

See:

“Seismic testing, lessons learned?”, July 14, 2012, The Marietta Times:
http://www.mariettatimes.com/page/content.detail/id/545397/Seismic-testing--lessons-learned-.html?nav=5004

These kinds of incidents do not inspire public confidence in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) or other Ohio officials’ ability to safely regulate the gas and oil industry. These serious accidents make assurances given by officials regarding “stringent regulations” sound like false reassurances. Even small human errors can cause highly damaging consequences. Drinking water sources and public health should not be put in jeopardy.

The following news articles include information about why these kinds of decisions cannot be rushed through council without adequate due diligence and public notification of what is going on in their communities. The public must have a real opportunity to voice their feedback and concerns.

An astounding example of the lack of thinking things through adequately when it comes to permitting fracking and related processes in Ohio is the drilling in the watershed of the Meander Reservoir. This reservoir is a drinking water source for 300,000 citizens in our Mahoning Valley. Preparation for drilling has already begun.
This turn of events and the site chosen near Meander is astonishing, especially in light of a news report from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in August of 2012, where, according to Timothy Puko of the Tribune – Review, cited below, “A gas-drilling site leaked sediment above a drinking – water reservoir in Westmoreland County, leading state environmental regulators to issue a violation notice.” (8/1/12) The driller was reported to be Consol Energy, according to the news article.
See:
“Drilling leak leads to violation notice”, by Timothy Puko, August 1, 2012, Tribune-Review:
http://triblive.com/news/2322637-74/officials-substance-authority-consol-state-bentonite-drinking-supply-according-ashton#axzz26fpG6s9Y
Details about the drilling near Meander Reservoir and the location of the well “in the Meander Reservoir’s watershed”, according to the Tribune – Chronicle, are included in the following Tribune Chronicle article (9/14/12). According to the Tribune – Chronicle article, CNX Gas Co. LLC is the driller of the horizontal well.
See:
“Drilling commences at Mahoning County well: Opponents decry location”, September 14, 2012, By BRENDA J. LINERT
https://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/576558/Drilling-commences-at-Mahoning-County-well.html?nav=5003

The Marcellus Drilling News reports that the watershed well “…is being drilled by CNX Gas (subsidiary of CONSOL Energy)”, which reportedly was issued a violation notice in the above-mentioned article describing the Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, drilling leak incident.
Is this the same company that will soon be drilling in the Meander watershed? This needs to be made clear. The public needs to know.
See:
“CNX Gas Starts Utica Well in Meander Reservoir Watershed”, Marcellus Drilling News:
http://marcellusdrilling.com/2012/09/cnx-gas-starts-utica-well-in-meander-reservoir-watershed/

There is an urgent and great need to slow this entire process down while people educate themselves and learn the truth about what is going on in their residential neighborhoods when it comes to the gas and oil industry drilling. Drilling has even commenced or is being considered as an option near cemeteries, schools, homes, forests, and parks in various parts of the country.
Frackfree Mahoning Valley believes that promises of quick money for leasing mineral rights by the oil and gas drilling industry are clouding some peoples’ judgment regarding the dangers of fracking and related processes. Issues such as gas drilling- related eminent domain and mandatory or forced pooling need to be fully understood by the general public.
There is too much rushing to drill without the public’s full knowledge. On too many occasions, the public is caught off guard by how swiftly drilling activities are moving into their neighborhoods near homes and schools. This is not right and must stop.

What’s the rush?

See:   “Fracking in Suburbia”, [features Broadview Heights, Ohio]:
“Tuesday, 18 September 2012 10:09 By Andrew Spear and Mike Ludwig, Truthout | Video Report”:
http://truth-out.org/news/item/11604-fracking-in-suburbia

Articles that address other states’ experiences with fracking and related processes show that even strict regulations are not always enforced. Ohio is not adequately prepared to police spills, leaks, mechanical failures, and accidents that are already beginning to occur. First responders, health professionals, and the general public need to know what exactly is in the fracking “brine” waste.
We in Ohio should be learning from residents’ experiences in other states with fracking and related processes rather than some people or officials ignoring or remaining unaware of other states’ problems and damages related to gas drilling and plunging blindly and recklessly, full speed ahead. This is foolish and irresponsible. It is a disservice to the community and a threat to public health and safety.

See: “North Dakota’s Oil Boom Brings Damage Along With Prosperity” “by Nicholas Kusnetz, Special to ProPublica June 7, 2012, 11:47 a.m.”
http://www.propublica.org/article/the-other-fracking-north-dakotas-oil-boom-brings-damage-along-with-prosperi

Also see: Update 1 – Many informative links to videos, articles, and reports can be found at the end of Update 1 at:
http://www.frackfreeamerica.org/1/post/2012/08/update-1-for-freedom-from-toxic-fracking-waste-national-rally-day.html
Also see:
[GAO Report:] “Drinking Water Safeguards Are Not Preventing Contamination From Injected Oil and Gas Wastes RCED-89-97, Jul 5, 1989” http://www.gao.gov/products/RCED-89-97

“Cracks in the Façade …” Dusty Horwitt, Senior Counsel, Environmental Working Group, August 3, 2011:
http://static.ewg.org/reports/2011/fracking/cracks_in_the_facade.pdf

These are just a few of the reasons why Mayor Sammarone and Youngstown City Council must delay the vote on fracking in Youngstown, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 19, 2012.

If this vote is not delayed in order for the Youngstown City Council to continue to do additional proper study and due diligence and to properly inform the general public of the serious risks of fracking and related processes to the public health, safety, and well-being, Frackfree Mahoning Valley believes that such apparent willingness to rush into an agreement for oil and gas industry drilling or fracking in Youngstown, without adequate due diligence, will show that Mayor Sammarone and Youngstown City Council are not adequately protecting the public’s health, safety, and well-being.
The health of our communities, citizens, families, and future generations must take priority in any decision-making regarding fracking and related processes. Too much is at stake for irresponsible, rash decisions to be made.
Delay the vote. It is the right thing to do.

For media inquiries or more information, e-mail:
frackfreemahoning@gmail.com or call:
234-201-0402
www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com
Also see:

Frackfree America National Coalition
www.frackfreeamerica.org

e-mail: frackfreeamerica@gmail.com call: 234-201-8007

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Frackfree

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"That this ORDINANCE is hereby declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, welfare and safety, the emergency being the necessity to authorize the Board of Control to seek competitive proposals and enter into a contract to lease city-owned land for oil and gas extraction..."
"All monies received from this activity will be used to fund economic development, demolition, and neighborhood improvement projects..." Read first page of ordinance HERE

"A RESOLUTION calling for stringent regulation by the state of Ohio on oil and natural gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing" "... so long as the [ODNR] respect local concerns by protecting the Citizens of Youngstown through stringent and effective regulation, and immediately respond to any and all inquiries from City of Youngstown governmental officials." Read first page of resolution HERE.

Frackfree Mahoning Valley calls upon Mayor & Council to delay fracking vote

Frackfree Mahoning Valley                    News Release

www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/

_______________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: September 18, 2012

Contact: Susie Beiersdorfer: Phone: 234-201-0402 or E-mail: frackfreemahoning@gmail.com

______________________________________________________

FRACKFREE MAHONING VALLEY (FFM) CALLS UPON MAYOR SAMMARONE AND YOUNGSTOWN CITY COUNCIL TO DELAY ANY FRACKING-RELATED VOTE ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 AT CITY COUNCIL: FAILURE TO DELAY THE VOTE IS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST, HEALTH AND SAFETY, THE GROUP SAYS

Youngstown, Ohio, 9/18/12 - Frackfree Mahoning Valley, a group of concerned citizens from Youngstown and the surrounding area, released a statement on the Frackfree America National Coalition (www.frackfreeamerica.org ) and the Frackfree Mahoning Valley (www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/ ) websites on 9/18/12, calling for a delay on the planned fracking-related resolution vote to take place at Wednesday’s Youngstown City Council on September 19, 2012.

Frackfree Mahoning Valley says that if Youngstown City Council votes to greenlight the leasing or selling of Youngstown’s mineral rights for gas and oil drilling, the door will be wide open for fracking and related processes in the city limits, which FFM strongly opposes based upon the high risks of fracking and related processes to drinking water sources, air quality issues, and public health and safety.

For more information about the resolution, please see: “Youngstown council to weigh fracking resolution,” by David Skolnick, Youngstown, Ohio Vindicator (9/14/12): http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/sep/14/youngstown-council-to-weigh-fracking-res/

Frackfree Mahoning Valley (FFM) says that proper due diligence on the fracking and injection well question has not occurred, as evidenced by the fact that independent scientists, physicians and other health professionals, public health professionals, the general public, lawyers, industry or business stakeholders have not yet testified in an open public televised forum, including public dialogue with experts, or before Mayor Sammarone and Youngstown City Council.

FFM says that greenlighting this high-risk and essentially experimental process of fracking and related processes and inviting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to begin permitting fracking in Youngstown subjects the general public to an unacceptable level of risk to public health, safety, and well-being. The group says that the public deserves to know what is being considered in detail before the city proceeds to do business with the gas and oil industry. FFM also believes that when the public is adequately informed and aware of fracking and related processes, they will demand a stop to it and demand to be properly informed of potential risks and costs of proceeding.

FFM says that a failure to delay the vote would indicate to them that City Council is not adequately protecting the public health, safety, and well-being of Youngstown community families and citizens and those of the surrounding area.

“No amount of money for demolition of buildings is worth risking contaminating the public’s drinking water, more earthquakes, spills, leaks, or mechanical failures, which we are not adequately prepared to handle. Public officials must safeguard the public well-being and interest – not the monetary interests of the gas and oil drilling industry. To fail to adequately address these issues in a public forum is unconscionable. The risk to public health by fracking and related processes is great. We are renewing the call for televised open public dialogue with independent scientists and others, “said Tom Cvetkovich, concerned citizen of Youngstown, Ohio.

In Frackfree Mahoning Valley’s “Statement: Open Letter” posted at www.frackfreeamerica.org and www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/, FFM lists local and nearby fracking-related accidents or incidents that have already occurred, some of which remain unresolved.   Those incidents include the recent 5- mile long Fowler “brine” spill, the Brookfield, Ohio, fish kill, and the Ginsburg well in Ohio, which has reportedly been repeatedly cited for violations since 1986, yet apparently, remains in operation.

The December 31, 2011, 4.0 magnitude Youngstown earthquake, one of about twelve in an area that had no reported earthquakes before drilling, is another example, according to FFM, of how the public health is not being safeguarded, as evidenced by the lack of a permanent ban on the injection wells in the moratorium area. Frackfree Mahoning Valley is also demanding a permanent ban on injection wells in the moratorium area since they say there is a greater risk of more earthquakes if drilling or deep injection of toxic fracking waste goes ahead. They say that based upon the history of other injection well earthquake incidents, more earthquakes may yet occur in the moratorium area since the ancient geological equilibrium has irreversibly been disturbed by the lubrication of the fault.

Frackfree Mahoning Valley says that the Ginsburg well and earthquake examples alone show why the widely touted “stringent regulations” in Ohio are failing to protect the public health and safety.

According to FFM, it was once thought that using asbestos was safe. Just as one cannot strictly regulate asbestos into becoming safe, one cannot regulate fracking and related processes and make them safe. Fracking and related processes cannot be safely done with the state of the technology as it stands today, says FFM.

Any meetings with the gas and oil fracking industry should be done while the public is in attendance, the group says. The public should be able to voice their concerns.

For media inquiries or more information, e-mail:

frackfreemahoning@gmail.com or call:

234-201-0402

www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com

Also see:

Frackfree America National Coalition

www.frackfreeamerica.org

e-mail: frackfreeamerica@gmail.com call: 234-201-8007

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Frackfree

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

State Rep. Robert Hagan Lends Support to Nationwide Anti-Fracking Protests

State Rep. Robert Hagan Lends Support to Nationwide Anti-Fracking Protests

National Call to Action Day Highlights Continued Risks Posed by Industry

COLUMBUS, OH – State Representative Robert F. Hagan (D-Youngstown) released the following statement in support of the national call to action day to ban fracking:

“Today, in Youngstown and all across the country, people concerned about the dangers of fracking and injection wells are coming together to stand up against the big-money oil and gas industry. Legitimate concerns remain about an industry that has the potential to devastate our communities and environment, and from which there has been a staggering lack of transparency. This call to action day is an opportunity for the public to put pressure on and demand answers from these companies that have so far shown blatant disregard for anything other than their bottom line.”
- published in Activists Protest Fracking, Regional Chamber Responds, The Business Journal, Thursday, September 13, 2012, By Dan O'Brien
http://businessjournaldaily.com/drilling-down/activists-protest-fracking-regional-chamber-responds-2012-9-13

The Youngstown forum, march and rally culminating in demand delivered to city hall was one of the nationwide rallies of the Freedom From Fracking Toxic Waste: National Rally Day organized by F.A.N.C.y Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) and NEOGAP.org

Actions were held across the nation on the same day.

The Youngstown forum, march and rally culminating in demand delivered to city hall was one of the nationwide rallies of the Freedom From Fracking Toxic Waste: National Rally Day organized by F.A.N.C.y Frackfree America National Coalition based in Youngstown, Ohio) and NEOGAP.org More photos <here>

The Youngstown forum, march and rally culminating in demand delivered to city hall was one of the nationwide rallies of the Freedom From Fracking Toxic Waste: National Rally Day organized by F.A.N.C.y Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) and NEOGAP.org More photos <here>

Speakers were local historian, author, lawyer and activist Staughton Lynd, and Doug Shields, the former Pittsburgh City Council president who led the charge to ban nat. gas drilling in that city. The Youngstown forum, march and rally culminating in demand delivered to city hall was one of the nationwide rallies of the Freedom From Fracking Toxic Waste: National Rally Day organized by F.A.N.C.y Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) and NEOGAP.org More photos <here>

The Youngstown forum, march and rally culminating in demand delivered to city hall was one of the nationwide rallies of the Freedom From Fracking Toxic Waste: National Rally Day organized by F.A.N.C.y Frackfree America National Coalition (based in Youngstown, Ohio) and NEOGAP.org More photos <here>

Pages

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

UPDATE |||

Concerned Citizens Mahoning Valley Watershed Hold Drive-Through at Fracking Gas Drilling Rig, Thurs., Sept.. 27, 5-6pm

Concerned Citizens Mahoning Valley Watershed Hold Drive-Through at Fracking Gas Drilling Rig, Thurs., Sept.. 27, 5-6pm

Concerned Citizens Mahoning Valley Watershed Hold Drive-Through at Fracking Gas Drilling Rig, Thurs., Sept.. 27, 5-6pm

http://goo.gl/maps/WWAuK MAP

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

The Hidden Costs of Leasing to Local Government: Public Banking another Solution to Blight

Monday, September 24, 2012

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Thursday, September 13, 2012