FRACKFREE MAHONING VALLEY CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO OHIO STATE PLANS TO ALLOW OPEN FRACKING WASTE IMPOUNDMENTS. FRACKFREE MAHONING VALLEY CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY AND INCREASED READILY AVAILABLE INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA REGARDING POTENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES IN RELATION TO THE USE OF OPEN PIT FRACKING WASTE IMPOUNDMENTS

Youngstown, Ohio, October 14, 2013  –   Frackfree Mahoning Valley (FFM) calls for an immediate halt to plans that Ohio state regulators are reportedly implementing by January 1 to use open pits or impoundments for toxic fracking waste.

Additionally, Frackfree Mahoning Valley calls for immediate transparency and increased public and media scrutiny regarding open, exposed, fracking waste pits or impoundments planned for Ohio.

According to a Vindicator article (10/6/13) by Jamison Cocklin titled, “Ohio will soon authorize fracking wastewater pools: Football field-sized ponds to recycle waste.”:  

“Fracking waste includes salt, dissolved solids and light radioactive and toxic metals from its contact with underground rocks.  Chemicals added to the mixture contain volatile organic compounds, such as benzene and toulene.” [sic]
See: http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/oct/06/oil-and-gas-drilling-ohio-set-to-ok-pits/

Furthermore, a WFMJ – TV 21 news report (October 6, 2013) quoted Ohio State Representative Robert Hagan regarding the centralized impoundments. In the news report, State Representative Hagan said:

“The regulations were supposed to go through our committees and instead it goes through the budget and then it goes right through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. They’re  making the decisions regardless or irregardless of what we think.”  (WFMJ – TV news report – 10/6/13)

Frackfree Mahoning Valley asks why the general public and some officials, reportedly, have not been given adequate information or proper protocol by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in the first place before they decided to permit a previously “banned” procedure, using the word reported in the Vindicator article (10/6/13).

The position of concerned citizens of Frackfree Mahoning Valley is that unconventional horizontal fracking cannot be done safely with the technology as it stands today, and therefore, must be stopped to protect the public’s health, safety, and well-being.  Stopping this now is the real solution to the impoundment issue and other fracking – related public health and safety issues, as well as issues related to private property, loss of property value, or other adverse effects upon residents’ quality of life.

FFM believes that this idea to implement centralized impoundments is disturbing. FFM asks why there was not a more transparent public protocol regarding these plans by Ohio regulators? This has the appearance of someone trying to hide something or perhaps ignoring the legitimate health and safety concerns of the public.

The proposed use of open pit fracking waste impoundments should be a concern for pro-fracking advocates or landowners as well as anti-fracking advocates since this is an important public health and safety issue with the potential to affect the general public health and well-being. 

It is not fair that the oil and gas industry and a relatively few individuals profit monetarily while too many everyday citizens suffer the adverse effects of shale gas development. Ohio residents are not expendable. Ohio is not a sacrifice zone nor is Ohio a dumping ground for toxic fracking waste.

According to FFM, Ohio, or any state for that matter, should not be a primary waste injection area or exposed impoundment area for the disposal or storage of millions of gallons of toxic fracking waste that continues to be produced by an increasing number of fracking industrial operations. The real solution to the “dumping ground” problem is to stop the production of massive amounts of toxic fracking waste since there is no good solution for where all of this toxic waste should go.

Frackfree Mahoning Valley encourages Ohio to learn from Pennsylvania’s or West Virginia’s experience with open pit fracking waste impoundments. State and local representatives must do proper due diligence regarding these proposed fracking waste pits.

FFM is now looking into information regarding open fracking waste impoundments pits.  FFM says it would be happy to help facilitate interviews with appropriate groups or individuals who could provide accurate information about this topic.

The group says that based upon what it has been learning, so far, this is not a good development for Ohio, and it must stop now. Now is the time for concerned Ohio citizens to work to prevent this from coming into their areas and to work for in-depth, open public hearings on this issue where the public can speak freely about its demands regarding fracking waste impoundments. Shining the light of public scrutiny on these plans by ODNR is crucial. The public deserves to be heard and to have their say on this issue.

There seems to be little, detailed, readily accessible information specifically about the impoundments that ODNR is planning for Ohio.  Therefore, the impoundment information cited below may or may not be the kind of open pit planned for Ohio.  Nevertheless, it does provide information on some of the residents’ real life experience with some PA impoundments.

FFM says it does not want to find our local Ohio communities in a similar situation as that depicted in the following 2010 video, which may or may not be about the kind of fracking waste pit impoundments planned for Ohio. (We also hear that corrections had been made in an effort to remedy the issue in the following video.) 

Especially hear testimony starting at 4 minutes 10 seconds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbWqR9KoVp4


The caption for a Youtube video published on September 28, 2013 says: “Special Mount Pleasant Township, Pa supervisors' meeting on 4 impoundments for shale drilling fluids.” 
(Especially see testimony beginning at minute 44 and 01 seconds):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZz05xIwBZk

An article by Pittsburgh Tribune-Review staff reporter, Jason Cato, titled “Mt. Pleasant officials postpone decision on drilling water storage pits,” (October 8, 2013) can be found at: 
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4842440-74/supervisors-township-pits#axzz2hoW39pXX


Here is another article from the Pittsburgh Tribune- Review by Timothy Puko, August 31, 2013, “Risky gas drilling waste pits anger Mt. Pleasant neighbors”:
http://triblive.com/business/headlines/4595697-74/pits-range-waste#axzz2hWFuzgrK


Frackfree Mahoning Valley says that too many questions regarding the proposed open fracking waste pits remain unanswered.  For example, does ODNR plan to permit these impoundments near homes, farms, schools, or residential areas?  What exactly is in this fracking waste that is exposed? Will ODNR permit the impoundments to be placed in flood plains?  Plastic liners to prevent leakage of toxic fracking waste do not sound secure or safe to FFM. What have other states experienced regarding leakage or contamination? Does ODNR really believe that plastic liners can prevent leaks or contamination, and, if so, where is the scientific proof and documentation of this?  Does ODNR have any plans to allow permits for converting freshwater impoundments to fracking waste “flowback” impoundments?

Furthermore, what adverse effects might the use of these open fracking waste impoundments have on the multi-billion dollar tourism industry in Ohio?  Shale gas and oil is not the only industry in Ohio.

(According to a Vindicator AP article, tourism is the fourth-largest industry in Ohio “supporting 443,000 jobs” and $43 billion annually: See “Ohio House panel discusses attracting tourists,” September 10, 2013), AP: 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/sep/10/ohio-house-panel-discusses-attracting-tourists/?nw


The public has a right to ready access to all available independent, accurate, scientific and public health and safety information regarding the use of open pit impoundments. The public, first responders, and local officials have a right to know what is being planned by the state for their local communities. FFM says the plan to permit a previously “banned” procedure must stop in the best interests of the public.


Please see the very important AP article that was posted on the WFMJ-TV website titled, “Ohio drilling chemicals must be reported locally,” September 30, 2013.

http://www.wfmj.com/story/23566030/ohio-drilling-chemicals-must-be-reported-locally



Frackfree Mahoning Valley renews its call for public, open, televised or otherwise broadcast conversation with anti-fracking and pro-fracking advocates in real time. The public deserves to know the full picture regarding fracking, fracking related processes, and infrastructure.

To see a picture of one of these impoundment “lagoons” and a news article titled, “Big lagoons could hold Ohio fracking waste,” by Spencer Hunt, The Columbus Dispatch (October 11, 2013) visit:

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/10/11/big-lagoons-could-hold-drilling-waste.html


For more information please visit:  www.frackfreeamerica.org  and

www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/

or please call Frackfree Mahoning Valley at:

234-201-0402   or e-mail FFM at:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com



                                                            # # #

Triple Divide Screening September 22, 6 PM Youngstown Ohio - Free - Touring Ohio - 10 Stops

"It's hard to imagine anyone could have a fully-informed opinion about fracking without seeing Triple Divide," Jed Thorp, OH Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Narrated with help from actor & advocate Mark Ruffalo, Triple Divide is Public Herald's first investigations into inevitable, negative impacts from shale gas industrial development and how those impacts are handled by the state, specifically the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

B & O Station and Brewery, 530 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio 44502
FILM starts 6 PM with directors!  


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

Major findings include stark negligence and endangerment of public and environmental health due to shale gas extraction. Through personal stories, expert interviews, and investigation of state case files, Triple Divide tells a cautionary tale about the corruption of a public agency meant to regulate industry and protect the public and environment.

Though extraction of shale gas will one day end, taking many 'boom and bust' jobs with it, contaminated groundwater aquifers, polluted land, and stories of victimization will remain. But some Pennsylvanians, fed up with corruption and destruction, won't 'go down' without a fight.

Read more about the film: http://tripledividefilm.org/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1418761211676594/1418772685008780

Child living in Ohio has a simple request of her wiser elders: Please Stop Fracking

48 Reasons To Vote YES! Youngstown Community Bill of Rights-Vote YES on Nov 5  at http://www.youngstownrights.org/

Here's 2:

Contact here to help canvas, phone bank, other: http://www.youngstownrights.org/contact

Child living in Ohio has a simple request to her wiser elders:

We Will Not Stop Until You Listen. We Will Not Let You Frack Up Our Land - The People Are Gonna Take A Stand.

Learn how to get your music heard at ReverbNation.com

Listen to complete We Will Not Stop song and other Jonathan Blackshire music at
http://www.reverbnation.com/jonathanblackshire
http://www.facebook.com/jonathan.blackshire.music
http://www.myspace.com/jonathanblackshire

The lyrics are important:
We Will Not Stop (Occupation Songs) by Jonathan Blackshire. (All songs off of Occupation Songs are available for free download, though you can still support Mr. Blackshire by buying them from his store.)

Chorus: We will not stop until you listen.
We will not let you frack up our land.
If you keep putting profits before people,
Then the people are gonna take a stand.

You tried to tell us it was safe.
But, now we know that was a lie.
When people started getting sick,
And they found out they could light their water on fire.
But, when you talked to the SEC.
You told a very different tale.
You said that there were many risks,
Including blowouts, cratering, explosions, and spills.
~Chorus ~
I won't mention the damaged forests.
Don't need to talk about air pollution.
Not going to talk about your pipelines,
Or mention 6 million dollars in campaign contributions.
No, the worst is what you've done to our water.
Because we can't drink your money.
Contaminated with Radium, Barium, Strontium, Benzene, and Toluene.
~Chorus ~
What was it you said to Crystal Stroud,
When she started to lose her hair?
When she had trouble breathing,
You said it wasn't caused by your drilling there.
And what about Mr Terry Greenwood,
When half his calves were dead at birth.
Because his cattle drank from his pond,
That had the chemicals you let leech into the earth.
~Chorus x2~ then repeat last line twice.

(thanks also to Prof. Bob Myers' audio visual presentation at Youngstown's 4th Annual Grey To Green Festival for inspiration for some of the lyrics)

NILES, OHIO City Council, Residents Work To Ensure Fracking Ban in Their City and Protect Their Families From Toxic Wastes In Air, Water, Work:

http://tribune-chronicle.com/page/content.detail/id/592789/Niles-reconsiders-fracking-ban.html

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/sep/10/niles-mulls-voiding-ban-on-drilling/

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/592748/Is--bill-of-rights--wrong-.html

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/sep/08/niles-leaders-plan-to-revisit-their-oppo/

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/592354.html

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/592088/Niles-City-Council-actions-unnecessary.html

http://www.wfmj.com/story/23233337/niles-council-approves-anti-fracking-ordinance

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/591991/Niles-council-votes-to-oppose-drilling.html

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/aug/22/niles-oks-citywide-drilling-ban-on-drill/

Niles, Ohio,  City Council CONTACTS : http://www.thecityofniles.com/council.htm

Youngstown Community Bill of Rights-Vote YES on Nov 5, 2013

 

Youngstown Community Bill of Rights-Vote YES on Nov 5, 2013

ALSO SEE: "Will there be blood on your hands?" Reverend asks Youngstown City Council for Fracking ban at: http://frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/2012/05/will-there-be-blood-on-your-hands.html


ALSO SEE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QWfUxMYz2v0 (soundtrack is We Will Not Stop .)

Find other concerned citizens at: http://frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com/
contact at 330-201-0402 or frackfreemahoning@gmail.com

ALSO SEE: ACTION VIDEOS: http://ohiofracktion.com/media-2/action-video/

Niles, Ohio City Council - Discussion on Rescinding Fracking Ban Sept.9

Niles, Ohio City Council - Discussion on Rescinding Fracking Ban

MONDAY, September 9, 1pm – 2pm34 W State St SE, Niles, OH 44446 (map)  https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=34+W+State+St+SE,+Niles,+OH+44446&source=calendar

Monday’s 1 p.m. public meeting will be in a conference room at City Hall. No legislation will be passed there. http://www.thecityofniles.com/ council.htm 34 W State St SE, Niles, OH 44446 where the Mayor's Office is.
NOT the Police Station place Safety-Service Complex, NOT 15 E. State St., Niles, OH 44446

http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/sep/08/niles-leaders-plan-to-revisit-their-oppo/

Mayor's Office  330-544-9000 Ext. 150

Phone:(330) 652-3415

 

 

 

VOTE YES to protect your family's safe drinking water on Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2013, to amend the Youngstown Home Rule Charter so that the citizens can protect their drinking water, their air and their land. READ MORE: http://www.youngstownrights.org/

Something Is Dreadfully Wrong - Yet Their Suffering Goes Unheeded: As Goes Ohio, So Goes The Nation

Post by Youngstown Community Bill of Rights-Vote YES on Nov 5.

Westwood Lake Park, Trumbull County, Ohio

Westwood Lake Park, Trumbull County, Ohio has been put thru hell. Below is the well in the flaring stage and is what a flare looks like when the well contains wet gas.

 VIDEO 1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UEfXg9km5Q and embedded below



Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBFWo0B3FYo   and embedded below.

Help assist with Community Bill Of Rights HERE: VOTE YES to protect your family's safe drinking water on Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 2013, to amend the Youngstown Home Rule Charter so that the citizens can protect their drinking water, their air and their land. READ MORE: http://www.youngstownrights.org/

and on facebook at:  https://www.facebook.com/YoungstownCommunityBillOfRightsVoteYesOnNov5

Youngstown Earthquake Tremors, Voter Suppression, Toxic Fracking Wastewater To Be Discussed Sept. 5, 2013 Youngstown, Ohio

Post by Youngstown Community Bill of Rights-Vote YES on Nov 5.

Background on the challenge to placing issue on the ballot:
http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/aug/31/legal-challenge-awaits-anti-fracking-pro

IMP - SCROLL DOWN TO PART 2 - FRIDAY 5 PM SEPTEMBER 6, 2013
--------------------------------------------------------

IMPORTANT PUBLIC TOWNHALL STYLE MEETING ORGANIZED BY THE YOUNGSTOWN COMMUNITY BILL OF RIGHTS COMMITTEE AND FRACKFREE MAHONING VALLEY TO TAKE PLACE ON: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013, AT THE YOUNGSTOWN UNITARIAN CHURCH AT 7 PM TO 9 PM: ALL MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO ATTEND 

DOWNLOAD FLIER as WORD DOC file HERE
EVENT on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/688452794516896/
 

Youngstown, Ohio, September 4, 2013  –  Especially in light of the newly released 109 Youngstown earthquake tremors study and other recent developments, the September 5^th open public townhall style meeting organized by members of the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Committee and Frackfree Mahoning Valley, a group of concerned citizens who oppose fracking and related processes, will be a very important one. 

All members of the media are invited to please attend the townhall, which will take place at The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, located at 1105 Elm St., Youngstown, Ohio (Elm & Illinois) on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 7 PM to 9 PM. 

“The newly released scientific study of the 109 Youngstown earthquakes and other fracking related events further corroborate our position that fracking cannot be done safely with the technology as it stands today.  In addition, the fact that heavy industrial fracking operations are being permitted near homes, children’s schools, farms, parks, forests, or cemeteries provides overwhelming evidence that this needs to stop now in order to protect the public health, safety, well-being, and also private property rights and property values,” said Susie Beiersdorfer.

The group says that this second townhall meeting is designed to help inform the public of all aspects of fracking, injection wells, and other related processes. The group will show some compelling, brief informational films at the beginning, make a statement, and will open up the floor to public or media questions, comments, feedback, or concerns. They also welcome local and state officials to attend the townhall.

To see a flyer for the September 5^th townhall, please visit:

www.frackfreemahoning.blogspot.com

For media inquiries or more information, please contact the group via Frackfree Mahoning Valley at: 

234-201-0402   or  e-mail:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com

Text from a flyer that the group is distributing appears below:

 

You are invited to an open public Townhall style meeting: Thursday, September 5, 2013 in Youngstown

Are you concerned about fracking earthquakes, safe drinking water issues, pollution, gas flaring, or other fracking-related shale drilling concerns?  Do you want to know more about:

-- Toxic fracking waste injection wells?

-- Private property or property value concerns?  

-- Protecting Mill Creek Park?

Want to learn more about the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Charter Amendment, your right to local self-governance, and how, on Friday Sept. 6^th, 2013 there is a hearing concerning doing away with this right? Would you like to learn about what you can do to protect your community and your family?

Please come to this ”open to the public” forum where we invite you to share your concerns, ask questions, or provide information and feedback – or, if you prefer, just listen and watch the brief informational films and important discussion to follow.

Please come to The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown, located at 1105 Elm St., Youngstown, Ohio (Elm & Illinois) on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 7 PM to 9 PM.

Together we can find positive solutions to help our neighborhoods thrive.  Please attend and bring a friend!  Thanks in advance.

For more information, please contact us via Frackfree Mahoning Valley at:  Phone: 234-201-0402   or  e-mail:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com    For general info see:

www.frackfreeamerica.org  

[This informational meeting is organized by the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Committee and concerned citizens of Frackfree Mahoning Valley.]

PART 2 - FRIDAY 5 PM SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 

You are invited to an open PUBLIC MEETING at the Board of Elections, 345 Oak Hill Ave. 5pm Friday, September 6, 2013 in Youngstown

The citizens of Youngstown signed petitions to place a ballot initiative, The Community Bill of Rights on the November 5, 2013 ballot:

-- to protect our drinking water,

-- to protect our breathable air,  

-- to protect our homes from earthquakes,

no matter what businesses come to Youngstown.

Citizens worked hard to get this issue on the ballot enabling each person to vote for or against local self-governance in order to protect the community.

Now a coalition has filed a protest to keep this important issue off the ballot. Please come to this “open to the public” meeting.

Please come to The Board of Elections on the first floor of the Oakhill Renaissance Center, located at 345 Oak Hill Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio  on Friday, September 6, 2013 at 5PM.

The legal counsel for the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights will defend the citizens’ right to vote.  Please attend and bring a friend!  Thanks in advance.

For more information, please contact us via Frackfree Mahoning Valley at:  Phone: 234-201-0402   or  e-mail:  frackfreemahoning@gmail.com    For general info see:
www.frackfreeamerica.org  
[This informational meeting is organized by the Youngstown Community Bill of Rights Committee and concerned citizens of Frackfree Mahoning Valley.]