How Will Gas Drilling Affect State Forest Land?

From Potter County Today

What can users of state forest land expect in the coming years, as more acreage is tapped by natural gas drillers? Impact of Marcellus Shale gas production will be the focus of the next public meeting of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force, to be held at 7 pm Tuesday (July 13) at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport. With the topic having a far-reaching impact on the region, a large turnout is expected. Nathan Bennett, a senior geologist with the Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and Susquehannock District Forester Chris Nicholas will be guest speakers.

Mineral rights on roughly half of the 262,000 acres of the Susquehannock State Forest land in Potter and McKean counties are privately owned and available for gas drilling. DCNR has leased thousands of additional acres to energy companies. DCNR anticipates that several thousand gas wells are coming on state forest land over the next decade, a large percentage of them in Potter and McKean counties.

According to District Forester Nicholas, the increased drilling will have an impact on other forest users and his staff is developing policies to adjust and minimize conflicts. Details will be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting and public input will be encouraged. There will also be reports on training opportunities for gas industry jobs and issues involving local governments, the environment and public safety.

More information on Marcellus Shale/natural gas issues is available on the Potter County website at pottercountypa.net.

Article courtesy of the Potter County Commissioners.