Parks May Be Drilling Sites
Natural gas could be money-maker for city and parksBy CASEY JUNKINS Staff Writer
Article Photos
Fact Box
THE NEXT MEETING
- Wheeling City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Council Chambers on the second floor of the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St.
WHEELING - Drilling for natural gas on land owned by the the city and the Wheeling Park Commission could become a reality, pending City Council's approval of a lease agreement.
Council members Gloria Delbrugge, Vernon Seals, Robert "Herk" Henry, James Tiu, Don Atkinson, Vice Mayor Eugene Fahey and Mayor Andy McKenzie will consider the arrangement Tuesday.
The evening will begin with a public hearing concerning the resolution to enter into an agreement with Chesapeake Appalachia that could allow the company to drill for natural gas on property in the area of Oglebay and Wheeling parks.
But G. Randolph Worls, president of the Oglebay Foundation, said if any drilling occurs, it will not be on any land used by the public. The action should also have no adverse effect on the park.
"The potential sites are within the property, but none of them would be recognizable to park patrons," he said.
Worls said signing the agreement would be one of the initial steps to allow Chesapeake to drill into the Marcellus Shale layer of the earth. The bedrock formation of sedimentary rock lying beneath the area could hold trillions of cubic feet of natural gas.
"This does not mean there is going to be a drill in there next week," Worls said. "This agreement would mean that we would take the steps to identify the potential sites. ... The park commission will decide where (Chesapeake) would drill."
For land titled to the "city of Wheeling" or the "Wheeling Park Commission" within Oglebay Park, the profits would be equally divided between the two entities.
Royalties from properties titled to "Wheeling Park" would be used to improve the facility.
Meanwhile, council will hold another public hearing to consider leasing a space at Centre Market to Frank Warren to open a business called "The Soup Shack." The business would offer soup, sandwiches and salads, all while paying the city $250 per month rent.
Council will also consider a resolution to encourage the state of West Virginia to legalize Mixed Martial Arts. The resolution states, "It has been determined that MMA Sport is no more dangerous than other contact sports currently endorsed and allowed in West Virginia."
Anyone wishing to speak during the regular council meeting must sign up by 6:45 p.m.
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preserveourparks
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10-06-09 1:06 AM
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Each individual has their own threshold of what they believe something is worth. The property owner must become educated as to the drilling process and have the knowledge, foresight and a good attorney, in this field, to protect themselves, their water and their land, especially if complications arise. The drilling companies are there to strike a deal, not to educate. There are never any guarantees. As for me, I am just someone who has taken the time to research both sides of the equation as best I can. I can see both sides of the issue, but I am for protecting all public land. I have seen drilling in the gamelands and national forests, and I am not pleased with the results. I have seen debris left by loggers, leaking, smelly, tanks and piepelines, and the large rights-of way for lines and access roads. They do not just drill one well, either, some areas contain dozens. For me, it is not about the dollar. To each his own.
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preserveourparks
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10-06-09 12:47 AM
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The drilling process as it is now being used in the context of the Marcellus Shale is relatively new. The first well was drilled by Range Resources in PA just a few years ago. There has yet to be any real data regarding the safety of the process and the frac fluids, because the research simply has not benn done. Therefore, we are left to sift through anecdotal evidence from property owners who have allowed rilling on their property. There are success stories and horror stories in these short term experiences. We have no knowledge of the impact in the long term. One must protect themselves by documenting road and property conditions, and having their springs and wells tested in advance of any drilling, or they will lack proof to show any actual damage occurred due to the logging and drilling operations. One must stipulate who is to perform the clean-up and restoration by both logging (clearing sites and rights-of-way) and drilling companies, or it will be left to the property owner.
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GoochStephens
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10-06-09 12:28 AM
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Preserve..You seem to have knowledge concerning drilling..Were you a miner? And do you believe that drilling in the parks or anywhere else near a home is safe and worth the risk?
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preserveourparks
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10-06-09 12:17 AM
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The reality is drilling these wells is not a perfect process. Some operations are successful and completed without major issues, others have minor to major impact on the water table, breeches in containment, and "accidents" whuch can harm the environment or the rig workers. If an individual property owner wishes to take the risk to their land they are at liberty to do so, however we are discussing property bequeathed to the citizens. Some do not feel the potential risks and impact is worth the purported gain.
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GoochStephens
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10-06-09 12:08 AM
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Graysongs...I am not sure I would be bragging about bumping into the bsck seat of an old woman named Chevy..
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preserveourparks
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10-06-09 12:00 AM
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Perhaps you can donate the profits to the Park Commission and City of Wheeling when you allow them to drill in your back yard! :)
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1whoworks
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10-05-09 11:34 PM
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No one can't! Har Har Har This one is a real screamer. The worst environmental issue would be when the politicians get the money!
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LisaKPhotos
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10-05-09 11:18 PM
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Where are the proposed drilling sites in Wheeling and Oglebay Parks? Is there a map available that can be viewed? Will horizontal drilling be used? Will a "holding" pond be used?
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preserveourparks
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10-05-09 11:10 PM
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There are shallow gas and wells being drilled in the area as well, which do not require the transport of massive amounts of frac fluid, huge capture ponds, and a month or more of continuous drilling and flaring off that a well to reach the Marcellus Shale entails. One cannot confuse this type of drilling operation with one to tap the Marcellus Gas deposits.
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Graysongs
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10-05-09 11:08 PM
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I remember doing some drilling in Oglebay myself years and years ago. In the back seat of an old Chevy.
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LisaKPhotos
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10-05-09 11:00 PM
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The following site is very informative. ****wvsoro**** (West Virginia Surface Owners Rights Organization) My concerns are the health and safety of the students at WPHS, Triadelphia Middle School and Steenrod Elementary. Also, the many neighborhoods that surround these parks. Drilling in Marshall and Wetzel counties have been done in less populated areas. What chemicals are used when drilling the wells? I don't believe there are any regulations in place at this time. The increased traffic from large trucks could cause major road damage and accidents. Will property values decrease in the neighborhoods surrounding the parks? Oglebay and Wheeling Parks are not only enjoyed by local residents, but attract many tourists. R E S E A R C H !!!!
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1whoworks
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10-05-09 10:31 PM
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LOL - Knee Jerk - Knee Jerk - LOL One of the best threads yet! Lots of blame and virtually no facts. Not sure if I'm for it or against it. Got one about 1/4 mile from the house and it's NOTHING like anyone here describes.
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florida
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10-05-09 10:30 PM
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This would be an abomination. If there is one area in The Valley that should remain unblemished it's the city's parks. Where's Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir when you need them?
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GoochStephens
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10-05-09 10:13 PM
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Hey Wonder...On a lighter note..I haven't You You'd anywhere in a long long time. Ease up..have a great day and a better one tomorrow..=).
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Kubotaman
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10-05-09 9:28 PM
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This is in upstate PA :The natural gas industry, which has been drilling nationwide with substantial reported problems, has started drilling the Marcellus Shale in NE PA, and is on its way to NY. So Wonderwhy gets her news from a leftwing blog....it figures...some true reporting there.
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GoochStephens
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10-05-09 9:18 PM
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Wonder...The answer is NO..I used to, but I wised up in the late 70's and early 80's, Do you live there..If so I WONDERWHY.
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wonderwhy
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10-05-09 9:00 PM
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gooch- do you you here? If so, scary!
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PitifulPearl
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10-05-09 9:00 PM
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How can ANYONE even think of doing ANYTHING that might ruin our beautiful parks?
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wonderwhy
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10-05-09 8:58 PM
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drill at 7 spings! why not?
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GoochStephens
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10-05-09 8:54 PM
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Bye the way Ellis...Very well constructed comments...;). It appears the tough have begun to get going. Continue to be POSITIVE..
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gliderider
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10-05-09 8:52 PM
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ahhhh', let em drill,, if wheeling can make a quick buck...wheeling says screw the area. ""wheeling"" stealing the wallit out of the back pocket of generations...
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GoochStephens
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10-05-09 8:46 PM
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Ellis..I have monitored your comments over time. Again I must agree with you. When it comes to a repressed area, as Wheeling has become...These people are no better than Pimps, Hookers, Crooks, Thugs or whatever your choice of words may be...They are not helping you by giving you $$...They are stealing your $$, along with your pride...Don't sell out. They are buying low..because you are letting them...WAIT. Patience is a Virtue
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wonderwhy
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10-05-09 8:12 PM
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rover1958- good stuff . thanks.
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rover1958
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10-05-09 7:40 PM
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When he died in 1926, Col. Oglebay willed his magnificent country estate to the people of the city of Wheeling "for so long as they should open it for purposes of public recreation and education." Notice in his Will there is no mention of his estate being left to 'drill for gas, oil, or coal.' This is the betrayal of the stated wishes of a generous champion of nature and for the the well-being of the local people.
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preserveourparks
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10-05-09 6:44 PM
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Please, let elected officials know what you think of the proposed drilling in Oglebay & Wheeling Parks! ***********wheelingwv.gov/citygovernment.php?id=70
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