Survey Identifies Local Citizens’ Concerns With Gas Drilling

Results of a recent survey on natural gas issues confirm that environmental issues and impacts on townships and state forest land are the top concerns in Potter County. While the survey conducted by the Public Education Committee of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force is unscientific, it does give that organization direction on what topics to address in 2011.

The Task Force was launched in 2009 and has formed five study committees to delve more deeply into specific topics. Meetings of the Task Force are held every other month, on the second Tuesday at 7 pm in the Gunzburger Building, and are open to the public. Next meeting is Jan. 11.

Many survey respondents called on the organization to expand its focus and provide public education or assistance on specific topics, including:

• help for residents who cannot afford to have their water tested;
• centralized coordination of stream monitoring efforts;
• gas industry career awareness;
• mineral rights/leasing options for property owners;
• air pollution concerns;
• regulation of pipelines, eminent domain/related issues;
• social impacts of increasing gas development;
• law enforcement for hazardous materials/heavy equipment hauling.

Results of the survey, conducted in November, and recommendations from the respondents can be found on the county website here. Click on Marcellus Shale/Natural Gas tab, and choose “County Task Force.”

Copies of the Public Education Committee’s latest newsletter, Roundup, are available on the same website (click on “Monthly Newsletter”). Hard copies are available at the commissioners’ office in the Gunzburger Building, 1 North Main Street, Coudersport; telephone 814-274-8290.