Post on 26-Jan-2016
description
Marcellus Shale CampaignMarcellus Shale Campaign
Shenandoah Valley, VirginiaShenandoah Valley, Virginia
Virginia ContextVirginia Context State DMME regulatory agencyState DMME regulatory agency
Local governments retain zoning controlLocal governments retain zoning control
No history of extractive industries like No history of extractive industries like this this
Much smaller scale than PA & WVAMuch smaller scale than PA & WVA
Rockingham Well RequestRockingham Well Request
DMME approved well(s) near BergtonDMME approved well(s) near Bergton
Driller sought county special use permitDriller sought county special use permit
February 2010 Hearing: citizens urged caution, February 2010 Hearing: citizens urged caution, studystudy
Supervisors visited Wetzel County, VASupervisors visited Wetzel County, VA
Application tabled, gas company stepped backApplication tabled, gas company stepped back
Virginia Marcellus CoalitionVirginia Marcellus Coalition
Multiple partners came together Multiple partners came together quicklyquickly
Two groups close to Rockingham Two groups close to Rockingham electedselecteds
Strategies deployed in six Valley Strategies deployed in six Valley counties counties
2010 Campaign Actions2010 Campaign Actions
Hire hydrologist to review DMME docsHire hydrologist to review DMME docs Hire land planner to review all local Hire land planner to review all local
zoningzoning Engage UVA law clinic to compare state Engage UVA law clinic to compare state
regs and offer Virginia optionsregs and offer Virginia options Secure GWNF fracking resolutionsSecure GWNF fracking resolutions Brief local & state lawmakersBrief local & state lawmakers Brief civic groupsBrief civic groups
Marcellus ShaleMarcellus ShaleLeases In Leases In
Rockingham Co.Rockingham Co.
MS Virginia PartnersMS Virginia Partners
What We LearnedWhat We Learned
Shenandoah Valley is not ready for Shenandoah Valley is not ready for hydrofrackinghydrofracking Permit approved in the floodplainPermit approved in the floodplain Lack of emergency preparationLack of emergency preparation Where will water come from? Where will water come from? Where will industrial waste water go? Where will industrial waste water go?
What We Learned
What We Learned
What We Learned
What We LearnedWhat We Learned Water issues: quality, quantity, Water issues: quality, quantity,
treatmenttreatment Roads & Public Safety: Virginia Roads & Public Safety: Virginia
electeds wary of Wetzel Co local electeds wary of Wetzel Co local impactsimpacts
Land Use: industrialization of rural Land Use: industrialization of rural farm, forest land, small communitiesfarm, forest land, small communities
Other impacts: air, habitat, noise, Other impacts: air, habitat, noise, quality of lifequality of life
GW National ForestGW National Forest
Drinking water: 220,000 Valley residentsDrinking water: 220,000 Valley residents
New management plan being draftedNew management plan being drafted
Localities seek ban or moratorium on Localities seek ban or moratorium on hydraulic fracturing on public landshydraulic fracturing on public lands
Plan due out April, 2011Plan due out April, 2011
Marcellus Shale in GW Nat’l Marcellus Shale in GW Nat’l ForestForest
2011- 2013 Priorities2011- 2013 Priorities
Zoning: Avoid loss of local controlZoning: Avoid loss of local control Strong protections on national forest Strong protections on national forest
landslands Water Quality: Secure affordable testingWater Quality: Secure affordable testing Economics: Compare to impacts on farm, Economics: Compare to impacts on farm,
forest, tourism sectorsforest, tourism sectors Promote strong EPA and state regulationsPromote strong EPA and state regulations Public and Landowner educationPublic and Landowner education
www.svnva.org/marcellus
Kate G. Wofford, Executive DirectorKate G. Wofford, Executive Directorkwofford@svnva.org