SHALE DRILLING UPDATE
Thanks to everyone who attended last month's workshop for landowners on Oil and Gas Leases. We had over 150 people and learned a lot about leasing mineral rights and how to protect you and your land. Whether we are against shale development and hydraulic fracturing, or in favor of it, the fact is that it is moving through Ohio like a high speed train. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Minerals Division, is approving sometimes 20 new permits a week. As of 4/29/12, of the 211 Utica Shale permits issued in Ohio, none were in Summit County.
Seems comforting….but if you have traveled Rt. 303 through Peninsula this past week, you might have noticed the pink flag markers every 50ft along the south side of Rt. 303. Mayor Mayer was told by a private company placing the flags that permits were in place (by the Ohio Department of Transportation) and that seismic testing will take place over the next 3-6 weeks. Seismic testing is the initial sign of an oil & gas company’s potential interest to drill in an area. Area large lot landowners are being solicited by land men or oil & gas companies for access to mineral rights. As much as I would like to think that the Cuyahoga Valley will somehow be "drilled around", the reality of what is happening in other shale rich areas, tells me I am being blind to what will eventually make its way to our area.
We can, as residents and concerned citizens, pay attention to the shale development that is taking place not just in Ohio, but WV, NY and PA as well. Follow the laws as they change at the state and federal level, and how they will impact our community and others.
Some good sites that I follow regularly:
To follow the drill permits issued:
http://www.ohiodnr.com/oil/shale/tabid/23174/Default.aspx
Recent reliable shale news: www.shaleohio.com
Landowner and community concerns: www.lookbeforeyoulease.org
A recent article at Lookbeforeyoulease is "Couple denied mortgage because of gas drilling" - the story of a homeowner denied refinancing due to the uncertainty of his land value because there is "gas drilling on a next-door neighbor’s property". Well worth your time to read.
Monthly I will submit any recent information on the shale industry that is important to our community. Please, stay informed. Ask questions. And if you have concerns, voice them to our local, county and state representatives.
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Dee Holody dholody@yahoo.com |