We are happy to announce that FOYC has been able to borrow mountain bikes for Septemberfest. Bring your own or borrow one of ours and explore some of the best single-track biking trails in the region!
Septemberfest 2013 – Date Set
Mark you calendars — the fourth annual Septemberfest will take place on Saturday, September 28th.
Check back for information on news about our plans. Contact us at frien
Marcellus Shale
DCNR has received a request to drill a Marcellus gas well within Yellow Creek State Park.
MDS Energy began drilling a Marcellus gas well within the Yellow Creek Conversation Zone; it is now seeking a zoning exception from the county, in order to be able to legally continue this drilling.
The well site located on private property, approximately 1500 feet from the shore of the lake, and within 1/2 mile of both Boy Scout Camp Seph Mack and the DCNR cabins. Many years ago, Indiana County established a buffer zone around the state park, thus the need for an exception before MDS could drill in this area.
- Notice of Meeting – Indiana County Commissioners – April 13th, 10:30am.
- “Zoning Board Urged to Deny Permits for Drilling at Yellow Creek” – Indiana Gazette, March 22, 2011.
- Public Hearing On Proposed Drilling in Yellow Creek Buffer Zone – 7pm, Monday, March 21st
- Indiana County League of Women Voters – Marcellus Resources http://palwv.org/indiana/marcellus_shale/index.htm
- MDS Energy – http://mdsenergy.net/
- –Report: Well drilling violations near 1,500 for Marcellus Shale” – Pittsburgh Post Gazette. from PA Land Trust Association Repor
Septemberfest – Saturday, Sept 29th
The 3rd Annual Septemberfest is almost here!
Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to bring your friends. We’ll have music, food, bike races, sailing, canoeing and much more.
Sailboat Building – March 24, April 1 2012
A Puddle Duck Racer “hatch” is scheduled by the Friends of Yellow Creek for March 24th and April 1st, 2012.
The PDR is an economical, safe, and easy-to-build box boat designed for beginners and families, as well as being suitable for experienced sailors who wish to build XL sails and race. Six Indiana families built them as FOYC projects during 2011 and sailed at Yellow Creek State Park this past summer.
FOYC volunteers will lead a group-build next month. The basic hull can be completed in one day; families then take home the boats for sanding and painting. Cost is approximately $200; only basic carpentry skills are required. Currently 2 slots remain for families who would like to be involved.
FOYC co-chair Ken Sherwood observes “it is a great winter project.” “This year the Friends will also be sponsoring free learn-to-sail sessions for Puddle Duckers.”
“So if you have always wanted to learn to sail, this is your chance.”
Contact friendsofyellowcreek@gmail.com for more information or to reserve a spot.
Hydro Fracking in the Yellow Creek Conservation Zone
MDS Energy has resumed drilling at the Ray Road site within the Indiana County Conservation Zone just 1500 up hill from the lake. After beginning this well illegally, they have now been granted permission to drill, with some conditions, by the Indiana County Zoning Hearing Board which held that the operation would not be in violation of the Conservation ordinance.
Unfortunately, the current law does not explicitly prohibit drilling within the zone, even though its intent is “to ensure adequate protection for the quantity and quality of the park waters and to prohibit any use that poses a potential to degrade the park waters. Additional environmental concerns include air pollution in the forms of particular and noxious odor, noise pollution, and aesthetic incompatibitities, any one of which can destroy the rural park setting if allowed to operate at an abusive level. (4.600 Intent of Conservation (C) Zone)”
As many FOYC members will know, this well is close to both the Boy Scout Camp and the DCNR cabins. If you would like to become more informed and participate in the effort to get this 30-year old law revised, please visit Coalition for a Healthy County.