Post by melody on Aug 5, 2014 8:32:19 GMT -5
VITALI INTRODUCED RESOLUTION CALLING ON ADMINISTRATION TO PREVENT DRILLING OPERATIONS ON CERTAIN STATE LANDS
8/4/14
By Kimberly Hess, PLS
Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) today announced the introduction of a resolution calling on the governor and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to prevent drilling operations in the Clarence Moore Lands and preserve the character of the Loyalsock State Forest.
Rep. Vitali remarked on the need to protect the Clarence Moore Tract of Loyalsock, explaining that constitutes approximately 25,000 acres of the 114,000 forest. He said the commonwealth owns the surface rights of the tract, but Anadarko and Southwest own the mineral rights. Rep. Vitali further explained efforts underway to develop the tract, which he opined would result in serious degradation to the forest. He further lamented that the department’s public comment period on the proposal is only 15 days. Rep. Vitali called for passage of his resolution, which is expected to be introduced as HR 500, noting it has an “impressive array of cosponsors,” including seven Republicans.
John Norbeck, VP and COO of PennFuture, offered support for Rep. Vitali’s efforts and HR 500. He explained Loyalsock has some of the finest forestland, waters, and habitat in Pennsylvania, and explained history of the subsurface rights on the Clarence Moore tract, which were ultimately sold to Anadarko. He added that DCNR has written a surface development agreement to give the subsurface owners access to the lands that they did not previously have. He said Pennsylvanians are demanding a say in how public lands are managed and urged the department to hold a 90-day public comment period and meeting with Pennsylvanians, who are the surface owners of the tract. Norbeck cited the department’s documents that address the management of forest resources and argued that “unfettered access … for industrial activities” is contrary to the documents and the state’s constitution.
Joanne Kilgour, Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, remarked on the “increasingly small number” of wild places remaining in the commonwealth and opined the Clarence Moore lands are among the nicest of those lands. She said HR 500 is important to let the department know the will of the people is that the state do as much as it can to protect the lands. She cited DCNR’s recent announcement of a 15-day public comment period and opined this is not enough time to review the technical 100-page surface development agreement. Kilgour asked the state to provide a more valuable and meaningful public input process with respect to the Loyalsock development.
Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-Philadelphia) said the majority of her constituents acknowledge that natural gas is an important resource that needs to be leveraged, but in an accountable and responsible way. She argued it is vitally important to preserve areas like Loyalsock, stating there is “no compelling reason to permit this to go forward.” She urged the administration to ensure the Loyalsock State Forest “remains as pristine as it is today.”
Kurt Ashenfelter, of the Keystone Trails Association, offered support for the resolution and called on the governor to exercise his powers to prevent drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest. He particularly called for preservation of the “old logger’s path,” a hiking trail through the forest that provides access to a number of sites. He called this path “a recreational Mecca” and noted the high level of outcry against drilling in the forest. Ashenfelter remarked on the economic benefits of hikers and tourists drawn to the path.
Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania State Director of Clean Water Action, remarked on the “clear, clear unanimity” that state forest lands should be preserved and not used for profit or to plug state budget holes. He said the public “is very opposed to the idea” and pointed out these sorts of threats are happening throughout the state.
Kristen Cevoli, fracking program director for PennEnvironment, remarked on the “unique asset” of Loyalsock and discussed the variety of recreational opportunities available in the forest and wildlife that thrives there. She said nearly 100 wells have been permitted within the state forest since 2009 and another 100 wells encroach on the forest’s borders. She said the Clarence Moore lands have escaped such a fate so far and argued that allowing drilling in the tract will result new roads, pipelines, and wellpads throughout. “With so many wells already drilled around the forest…[we] want to know when enough is enough,” she concluded, offering her support for the resolution.
John Childs, from the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation, explained the foundation’s lawsuit against the governor and commonwealth to stop leasings and the improper use of the Oil and Gas Fund. He said the merits of the case will be before Commonwealth Court in October, but “even assuming we’re successful…the reality is” hundreds of thousands of acres of state lands will be developed. He said the answer lies in a long-term commitment “to use wisdom and compromise to develop the existing lands that will be subject to gas extraction.” Childs recommended the department meet with the people of Pennsylvania to come up with a solution.
Ralph Kisberg, from Responsible Drilling Alliance, remarked on the destruction of Penn Station in New York City, which he said awakened the public to the need to preserve treasures. He said this is another time for people to stand up and call for preservation of such a treasure, to preserve the character of the lands. “This is a very important cultural and environmental resource,” he stated, and called for the commonwealth to uphold the constitution and mission of DCNR in working toward a solution. He urged groups to reach out to the developers and make a deal, such as increased horizontal drilling from existing wellpads “and staying off that surface.”
Rep. Vitali could not say whether the department will reach a decision before the November election, but said that the fact that the department issued a press release on July 30 leads him to believe that the department is laying the groundwork for action. Kisberg suggested Anadarko is rushing to begin operations before the current administration leaves office. He remarked there is otherwise no need to rush. Kilgour reiterated her belief that the 15-day public comment period is inadequate and lamented that the process might be rushed for political considerations. She opined the department should hold at least three public hearings during a 60-day comment period and provide a public comment and response document.
Rep. Vitali said he has not spoken to the Wolf campaign about the issue, but Kisberg urged the media to directly ask the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, whom he said had previously indicated the issue was worth looking at.
Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia), Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery), and Rep. Eddie Pashinski (D-Luzerne) also attended the press conference.
8/4/14
By Kimberly Hess, PLS
Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) today announced the introduction of a resolution calling on the governor and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to prevent drilling operations in the Clarence Moore Lands and preserve the character of the Loyalsock State Forest.
Rep. Vitali remarked on the need to protect the Clarence Moore Tract of Loyalsock, explaining that constitutes approximately 25,000 acres of the 114,000 forest. He said the commonwealth owns the surface rights of the tract, but Anadarko and Southwest own the mineral rights. Rep. Vitali further explained efforts underway to develop the tract, which he opined would result in serious degradation to the forest. He further lamented that the department’s public comment period on the proposal is only 15 days. Rep. Vitali called for passage of his resolution, which is expected to be introduced as HR 500, noting it has an “impressive array of cosponsors,” including seven Republicans.
John Norbeck, VP and COO of PennFuture, offered support for Rep. Vitali’s efforts and HR 500. He explained Loyalsock has some of the finest forestland, waters, and habitat in Pennsylvania, and explained history of the subsurface rights on the Clarence Moore tract, which were ultimately sold to Anadarko. He added that DCNR has written a surface development agreement to give the subsurface owners access to the lands that they did not previously have. He said Pennsylvanians are demanding a say in how public lands are managed and urged the department to hold a 90-day public comment period and meeting with Pennsylvanians, who are the surface owners of the tract. Norbeck cited the department’s documents that address the management of forest resources and argued that “unfettered access … for industrial activities” is contrary to the documents and the state’s constitution.
Joanne Kilgour, Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Sierra Club, remarked on the “increasingly small number” of wild places remaining in the commonwealth and opined the Clarence Moore lands are among the nicest of those lands. She said HR 500 is important to let the department know the will of the people is that the state do as much as it can to protect the lands. She cited DCNR’s recent announcement of a 15-day public comment period and opined this is not enough time to review the technical 100-page surface development agreement. Kilgour asked the state to provide a more valuable and meaningful public input process with respect to the Loyalsock development.
Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-Philadelphia) said the majority of her constituents acknowledge that natural gas is an important resource that needs to be leveraged, but in an accountable and responsible way. She argued it is vitally important to preserve areas like Loyalsock, stating there is “no compelling reason to permit this to go forward.” She urged the administration to ensure the Loyalsock State Forest “remains as pristine as it is today.”
Kurt Ashenfelter, of the Keystone Trails Association, offered support for the resolution and called on the governor to exercise his powers to prevent drilling in the Loyalsock State Forest. He particularly called for preservation of the “old logger’s path,” a hiking trail through the forest that provides access to a number of sites. He called this path “a recreational Mecca” and noted the high level of outcry against drilling in the forest. Ashenfelter remarked on the economic benefits of hikers and tourists drawn to the path.
Myron Arnowitt, Pennsylvania State Director of Clean Water Action, remarked on the “clear, clear unanimity” that state forest lands should be preserved and not used for profit or to plug state budget holes. He said the public “is very opposed to the idea” and pointed out these sorts of threats are happening throughout the state.
Kristen Cevoli, fracking program director for PennEnvironment, remarked on the “unique asset” of Loyalsock and discussed the variety of recreational opportunities available in the forest and wildlife that thrives there. She said nearly 100 wells have been permitted within the state forest since 2009 and another 100 wells encroach on the forest’s borders. She said the Clarence Moore lands have escaped such a fate so far and argued that allowing drilling in the tract will result new roads, pipelines, and wellpads throughout. “With so many wells already drilled around the forest…[we] want to know when enough is enough,” she concluded, offering her support for the resolution.
John Childs, from the Pennsylvania Environmental Defense Foundation, explained the foundation’s lawsuit against the governor and commonwealth to stop leasings and the improper use of the Oil and Gas Fund. He said the merits of the case will be before Commonwealth Court in October, but “even assuming we’re successful…the reality is” hundreds of thousands of acres of state lands will be developed. He said the answer lies in a long-term commitment “to use wisdom and compromise to develop the existing lands that will be subject to gas extraction.” Childs recommended the department meet with the people of Pennsylvania to come up with a solution.
Ralph Kisberg, from Responsible Drilling Alliance, remarked on the destruction of Penn Station in New York City, which he said awakened the public to the need to preserve treasures. He said this is another time for people to stand up and call for preservation of such a treasure, to preserve the character of the lands. “This is a very important cultural and environmental resource,” he stated, and called for the commonwealth to uphold the constitution and mission of DCNR in working toward a solution. He urged groups to reach out to the developers and make a deal, such as increased horizontal drilling from existing wellpads “and staying off that surface.”
Rep. Vitali could not say whether the department will reach a decision before the November election, but said that the fact that the department issued a press release on July 30 leads him to believe that the department is laying the groundwork for action. Kisberg suggested Anadarko is rushing to begin operations before the current administration leaves office. He remarked there is otherwise no need to rush. Kilgour reiterated her belief that the 15-day public comment period is inadequate and lamented that the process might be rushed for political considerations. She opined the department should hold at least three public hearings during a 60-day comment period and provide a public comment and response document.
Rep. Vitali said he has not spoken to the Wolf campaign about the issue, but Kisberg urged the media to directly ask the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, whom he said had previously indicated the issue was worth looking at.
Rep. Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia), Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery), and Rep. Eddie Pashinski (D-Luzerne) also attended the press conference.