WV/PA MONONGAHELA AREA WATERSHEDS COMPACT
SIXTH MONTHLY MEETING, MORGANTOWN AIRPORT ANNEX
POSITION STATEMENTS ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011
1. Number of Inspectors. If the WV or PA Department of Environmental
Protection does not have sufficient inspectors or resources to
adequately review a specific gas well permit application or inspect its
construction in a timely manner, including cementing, the permit should
not be approved until such time as the necessary inspections can be
performed.
2. Enforcement of Existing Laws. The US Environmental Protection
Agency has issued Citations to Marcellus shale drilling companies as a
result of inspections of operations in and near the waterways in our
region. One Citation was issued on October 5, 2010, five on November 2,
2010, one on January 11, 2011, and three on January 26, 2011. The
Compact urges all agencies of state and federal government to actively
pursue the full protection of our surface and ground waters, our land
and air as well as our infrastructure of roads and utilities and to
report these activities in the public domain.
3. Urgent Call for Legislation. The WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds
Compact calls upon the Governors of West Virginia and Pennsylvania and
the State Legislatures to enact into law protection for our streams,
for public and private lands, and for the atmosphere as a result of the
continued expansion of coal mining, oil and gas drilling, pipeline
construction, and related activities. This is an urgent call given the
incredible growth in the extractive industries that is now taking place.
4. Progress on Dunkard Creek. The WV/PA Monongahela Area Watersheds
Compact calls upon the WV-Department of Environmental Protection, the
PA-Department of Environmental Protection, and the US Environmental
Protection Agency to continue aggressive programs to clean up Dunkard
Creek, on the border between our two states, and to monitor and protect
it from future degradation. Any proposed changes to the current
requirements for the protection of Dunkard Creek should be set for
public review and input before implementation.
NOTE: Six public meetings have now been organized and conducted
in Morgantown by representatives of various watershed and conservation
groups in cooperation with the Upper Monongahela River
Association. Contacts: Barry G. Pallay, Co-Chair
(bpallay@comcast.net) or Duane G. Nichols, Co-Chair (duane330@aol.com),
330 Dream Catcher Circle, Morgantown, WV 26508. Telephone:
304-216-5535.