(Although this is not a stained glass issue... it affects all of us.)
Dear Friends,
I have received a letter from Great Lakes Geophysical, Inc. in collaboration with the
Patrick Petroleum and West Bay Exploration companies to seek permission to cross my land in search of gas and or oil reserves via seismic testing. I assume
that the residents in my subdivision are also being approached to fill out the survey.
My home, along with the rest of the residents in the subdivision, is surrounded by
three lakes. I shutter at the consequence of this request.
The area in which I live and to a greater extent, the Irish Hills, is being drilled
for oil now. I drive down Wampler's Road and see constant flaring, 24/7, of the natural
gas the companies are not interested tapping into, at this time. The last three
words are italicized, because it is inevitable that the flaring of the untapped gas will
be of great interest, in the future.
Families already under contract for the leasing of their mineral rights are aware of
the wording that states any means of extracting gas/oil is admissible. However, at the
time of their signing, it was not common knowledge of the controversial oil/gas extraction
method called hydraulic fracturing. Fracking will be used in our area when the situation
is warranted and that will present huge environmental challenges.
With the numerous oil/gas disasters, large and small, from the Gulf of Mexico; to the
Kalamazoo River; to Napoleon Township, just miles from my home, where they are still
dealing with the contamination of many private wells from a gasoline spill that happened over
20 years ago-- the list goes on. It doesn't matter where it is, what size it is, or what contaminate
was involved, environments are direly affected. Man included.
Community dialoge must take place to better understand the risks involving all aspects of
oil/gas extraction-- from the toxic biocides used in the well bore to kill living organisms; to the
toxic chemicals and vast volumes of water used in the fracking and stimulation of the wells;
to the carcinogens emitted from flaring into the air; to the disposal of the contaminated fluids.
Adding to this needed dialogue is the use of seismic testing, to uncover the oil reserves.
Communities are becoming acutely aware of the adverse impact seismic testing has on wildlife
and the ecosystems around the testing sites.
Guidelines for seismic testing on DEC administered state land - New York- have stipulated
that 'no holes will be drilled in any road, trail picnic areas or other locations where the public
tends to congregate, nor will they be drilled in any wetland, unique natural community or area
of special concern.' http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/sfseismic.pdf
Canada's native population is embroiled in legal battles to stop seismic testing on the ocean floor
because of the stress and ultimate destruction of the marine life.
All communities will face the same issues. It doesn't matter if it involves wetland, ground or ocean,
seismic testing is affecting fragile ecosystems across the board.
What I see happening in my own back yard is a community known for its abundant natural resources
allowing oil and gas companies to transform its identity for corporate gain. Resources that make up
the land we are living on, farming on, playing on are being extracted for corporate profit.
Yes, this is capitalism. But when a community's health, quality of life and well-being could be compromised,
wouldn't it make sense to be asking the right questions before the irreversible has taken place?
Serious questions for serious times.
Pam
