Now Let's Get The State Involved

September 24, 2011
Pocahontas commission wary of Marcellus drilling
By Paul J. Nyden
Advertiser

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Pocahontas County Commission has raised major questions about the potential impact of Marcellus Shale drilling.

"The Pocahontas County Commission is gravely concerned about the impacts to our pristine environmental and rural culture from the impending possibility of hydrofracture drilling in the Marcellus Shale underlying our borders," the letter Tuesday to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection states.

"As a governing body, we do not want our local rights on this very local issue usurped or diminished by state government. The commission views the present proposed rules as grossly inadequate and failing to speak to our county's unique needs."

Martin V. Saffer, a lawyer and member of the Pocahontas County Commission, said the county's unique environment "is a benefit for people who live here and people throughout the rest of West Virginia.

"We have pure water, opportunities for recreation. We have a wonderful, flourishing tourism industry. We have farming communities and timber resources.

"All of these resources will support an economy that will sustain itself for many, many future generations," Saffer said.

Charles Wilfong, president of the West Virginia Farm Bureau and a Pocahontas County resident, is a major local supporter of local Marcellus Shale drilling projects. Wilfong did not return numerous telephone calls from the Gazette-Mail on Friday and Saturday.

"From my perspective, I believe the citizens of Pocahontas County should have full rights of self determination about how to protect their community and their heritage," Saffer said.

On Sept. 15, Saffer and the other two commission members -- David Fleming and Jamie Walker -- traveled to Wetzel County to see operating Marcellus Shale drilling projects.

The commissioners visited the long-time home of Dewey Teal, who owned surface rights, but not mineral rights, to 19 acres of land recently used for Marcellus drilling.

Gas company workers bulldozed Teal's garden and drilled for gas, but have not yet removed their equipment from his land.

The Pocahontas County Commission does "not believe it is right or proper for the Legislature to pre-empt our right to protect our citizens and to prevent a public nuisance," Saffer said.

Saffer believes residents in Pocahontas County are in a better position to question and challenge gas drilling than residents of Wetzel County, where most oil and gas rights were sold away decades ago.

"In Pocahontas County, the majority of oil, gas and mineral rights are still owned by people who live here. This is more of a community dialog between citizens, as opposed to a dialog between citizens and a gas company.

"Our overriding concern is to preserve our water. This is the birthplace of eight rivers in the state, including the Greenbrier, Elk and Williams rivers," Saffer said. "We are a water source for the state."

Pocahontas residents Cyla Allison and Beth Little have helped organize a grass-roots group called the Eight Rivers Council.

"We are working to protect our water and ban Marcellus Shale drilling," Allison said. "We are the headlands for eight rivers. But people get worried when I talk about the water just one Marcellus Shale well would consume.

"Some people don't have enough water for their families and their cattle. No water flows into our county. All the water all flows out. We are very, very concerned about that. I am worried about taking care of my own horses.

"I chose to live here because this is the way of life I chose. Many other people lived here all their lives," Allison said.

"The gas companies talk about all the jobs they are supposed to bring in. But when they set up wells, they bring in their own people from outside."

No drilling permits have been issued in Pocahontas County, Saffer said.

"But there was a blizzard of leases obtained by gas companies in the fall of 2007 and winter of 2008. Approximately 40,000 acres of private land were leased, according to the County Clerk's Office. That represents a significant percentage."

Today, state and national forests make up about half of Pocahontas County, while the other 50 percent is privately owned.

"All the leases will come up for renewal in five years," Saffer said. "So in 2012 and 2013, there will be a chance for many landowners to assess their positions again."

The County Commission recently hired Robert Bastress, a West Virginia University law professor, as its chief legal counsel, and the local law firm of Roger Forman.

Reach Paul J. Nyden at pjny...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5164.

The Gazetter is a newspaper worth reading ; Paul Nyden is a competent and precise writer. However I believe Jim to be correct in his view that the majority would vote for shale drilling in the county. Has anyone on either side of the controversy contacted the authorities in Alaska about their history of gas and oil drilling?

"...people want opportunity to make a living wage, not the low paying service industry jobs provides..."

The proof that Marcellus shale drilling will bring jobs to Pocahontas County is entirely lacking. Only those who lease will make any money, along with some very short term business the out of state drillers and their workers will bring to the county during their short stint here. ALL of the evidence thus far contradicts the claim that Marcellus drilling will create jobs. Jobs for out of state drillers, but not for folks in Pocahontas County. I can add that ALL of the pre-drilling activity in Webster County has been performed by out of state residents. Every truck and piece of equipment is licensed from another state. When the facts are fully exposed to the people (e.g., the lack of job creation and the documented dangers and contaminations), people will not support this (except for those leasing and profitting therefrom).

Jeffery, go to Harrison or Marion Co. and witness the jobs, those who want to work, find employment. There is big turn over because of the lack of work ethic. If the skilled people are here, they will be employed.
I disagree with the out of state comment, every in-state truck is busy, they just need more trucks than they can get locally
Drilling is inevitable, we need to be concentrating on making sure it is regulated effectively. We also need to prepare a work force that has marketable skills.

We disagree on whether it is inevitable.
I understand one man one vote, but they also add votes and money buys votes, now that is inevitable!
Martin, with your intellect, I wish your efforts were spent on regulations to protect water, to buffer the ill effects of drilling, and to prepare a work force capable on capitalizing on this work.
I believe your time would be better spent looking for ways to accomplish some of your objectives instead of this constant drum beat of NO, No, NO, NO, and then get nothing.
I completely understand your passion for the way of life you have, but you must understand there are two sides to every coin.