Indiana Runners …
Time to put the Second Annual “SeptemberFest” on your calendar. Friends of Yellow Creek is happy to announce this event will take place on Saturday, Sept 24, 2011. You can expect:
New chance to vote for trees. Pennsylvania has the opportunity to gain more dollars in the Odwalla Plant a Tree campaign, which earns free trees for state parks. Several states that produce the Welcome Maps are eligible for a special pot of money, and Pennsylvania is one of those special states. Vote at:www.odwalla.com/plantatree.
The Coalition for a Healthy County includes such area groups as The Sierra Club and the Central Indiana Water Council. Along with PenEnvironment they will be participating in the Waltz for the Wilds on June 14 @ College lodge.
Please encourage your organization to officially join our coalition by supporting our Coalition’s goal, to rewrite the zoning ordinance for the conservation zones to ban fracking.http://www.petitiononline.com/CHCind11/petition.html
The Indiana Gazette Reports that MDS Energy “will not be allowed to drill a shale-gas well near Yellow Creek State Park unless it can show how it will ensure the park and its lake will be protected, the Indiana County Zoning Hearing Board has ruled.” There is the possibility for a reapplication or appeal. Friends of Yellow Creek and a loose coaltion of community groups provided essential testimony to the County Commissioners and Indiana County Zoning Hearing Board.
Read the full story “Panel Denies Drilling Permit,” Sam Kusic May 3, 2011
April 13, 10:30am @ the County Courthouse
Hydraulic fracking is a dangerous process, but it is a process that is here in our state, and in particular in Indiana County, and not going away in the short-term. Our County Commissioners can take steps to ensure public safety and environmental preservation that is clearly threatened by this hazardous process. The proposed Marcellus Shale vertical well that was illegally started in the conservation zone that surrounds Yellow Creek Park is a clear consequence of this negligence.
Community organizations are joining with local land owners and concerned citizens to ask the County Commissioners to act immediately to stop the Yellow Creek well, and to take common sense steps to protect our county from unintended environmental damage.
Please join us on April 13, 10:30am @ the County Courthouse, 2nd floor Commissioners hearing room. Contact G. Smith @ 724-910-0690 if you would like further information, or will be able to attend.