Susquehanna River Sentinel

NBLT: We'd Rather Switch than Fight!

2012-02-01T05:59:00.002-05:00

Either way, you're going to walk away with a black eye.

Read more about it here.

I will comment further in my next post.

Paddling @ the Vosburg Neck on 04/04/04

THEY CANNOT BE TRUSTED

2012-01-31T06:08:00.001-05:00

If you ever had any lingering doubts regarding the motives and ethics of the natural gas industry, this article should put them to rest. And our government - at all levels - is in full partnership with the NG folks by providing them with an "open door" policy and a blank check to do what they wish.

Still not sure? Read it again.

What happened to "government of the people, by the people, for the people"...?

Treated Frackwater is Cleaner than Fresh Water?

2012-01-29T09:19:00.004-05:00

I recorded a total of ~48 minutes of video of DEP Secretary Michael Krancer's keynote address and follow-up questions at the Eco-Expo @ Congregation Beth Or on 22 January 2012. For the record, I was the guy in the front row about eight feet from the podium.

The individual files take quite a bit of time to upload to Vimeo...so it'll be a few days ( or more ) before I get them all posted.

After a quick review of all footage, I decided to upload this segment of Mr. Krancer's speech first.

PA DEP Secretary Michael Krancer's Keynote Address

@ Eco-Expo on 1/22/2012.

So - Williamsport's treated frackwater is cleaner than fresh water? Just curious...how is the radioactivity removed?

Wait'll you see the next pearl of wisdom I plan to post.

Where The Water Catches Fire

2012-01-26T04:43:00.009-05:00

Check out the latest article bringing this issue into the (inter) national spotlight.

Dividing Pennsylvanians? Indeed.

Thanks to all who worked with Nicole @ People putting this together. Please buy a copy ( or three ) of People to support & acknowledge Nicki's efforts. Great job, Nicki & Nina!

Peace.

SRBC to public: Papieren, bitte!

2012-01-24T05:59:00.001-05:00

In response to the 12/15 meltdown of the SRBC's most recent quarterly meeting/public hearing in Wilkes-Barre, they have posted a new meeting schedule, and guidelines, on their website.

Read all about it here...and here for greater detail about meeting restrictions.

Hope to see everyone on 2/16 in Harrisburg.

Vergessen Sie nicht das Papieren!

Eco Expo 2012: A Recap

2012-01-23T06:05:00.000-05:00

I attended yesterday's Eco Expo in southeastern PA, primarily to hear DEP Sect'y Mike Krancer's Keynote address. I recorded (audio) the entire speech, and with one slight gap on the video, will upload everything to my Vimeo site when I get a chance.

More to follow in the next day or so.

22 Jan 12: In Hyperdrive and lots to do...

2012-01-22T07:56:00.010-05:00

For me, I woke up a little late this morning, but I still had plenty of time to make a pot of French-press coffee ( with a heaping teaspoon of 100% extra dark cocoa powder added to each pot ) and catch the sunrise at about the third cup. Good Ol' Mr. Sol was right on time making his obligatory diurnal entrance, and with the temperature in the teens, my camera's digital zoom was moving a little slower with each passing moment while waiting.

Anyway, I'm fully cranked and ready to roll this beautiful Sunday morning, and after Mass, I plan to carpe this diem like no other. I'll be back later in the day with a full report.

Below: Sunrise on 22 Jan 12 from the inside

P.S. - Alaska has already picked up the latest news from Dimock.

Die Welt is watching, folks.

Recent visitors as of 0620h this morning:

21 January 2012 - Weekend Weminiscing

2012-01-21T07:56:00.011-05:00

Since the first of January, I've been spending what little "spare" time I have transferring files from three older ( borderline ancient ) desktop PC's to an external hard drive before I yank the drives from these relics and recycle the rest. And try as I might...just when I think I'm ready to pull the plug, I find even more files, pics & documents tucked away in some obscure folder that deserve archiving. Anyway, I'm down to my last PC, and I hope to be able to pull the plug on that one by the end of today. I know I have some of those 100MB disks in a box somewhere that contain most if not all of my older netcarrier.com Susquehanna River Sentinel posts dating back to ~2003 or so, and this last PC has the larger floppy drive needed to access the data. Should be fun finding those puppies after 5+ years of being in storage...somewhere.

Switching gears...here are some random pics from recent travels throughout northeastern PA.

Above & below: 32 years ago, on Valentine's Day, I took my wife of (now) almost 30 years on our first "official" dinner-date at the Old Fell House in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I knew the owners, so I reserved the table right in front of the fireplace that contained the legendary iron grate used by Jesse Fell. And yes, I brought a single red rose. Now...a significant piece of history is a vacant parking lot.

Below: Sunrise, windmill & waning moon on Friday, 20 Jan 2012

Below: Moya - a really cool restaurant in Jim Thorpe, PA.

Below: One of the historic Doors of Jim Thorpe ( f.k.a. Mauch Chunk )

Below: Full moon rising - January 2012

Below: Toby's Creek near Rte 309 ( Luzerne County, PA )

Below: Explore...you never know what you'll find.

Have a great weekend.

Ho, hum...Chesapeake is Non-Compliant

2012-01-20T04:58:00.004-05:00

+ + +

Hey...as an agency of the commonwealth of PA, the DEP works for me. My tax dollars funded, in whole or in part, the creation of the letter above. If any of my daily visitors from H-burg have an issue with this post, drop me a line.

On your lunch hour...

Anyway, per this letter, it appears Chesapeake Energy is dragging its heels complying with the DEP's directives to remedy water contamination issues in the Marcellus Shale Zone. I'm sure recent actions by the US EPA regarding water contamination in Dimock has caught the attention of the entire natural gas industry in NEPA, and will no doubt have them doing a rope-a-dope in the days ahead.

As the saying goes; you can run, but you cannot hide.

Thanks to the anonymous person(s) who sent this document to my attention.

Keep them coming.

Team Corbett Slashes Scientific Funding

2012-01-19T05:31:00.004-05:00

..including some projects designed to assess the impact of the natural gas industry on PA's environment.

Go figger. Read more about it here.

This guy and his team are far worse than anticipated.

I Doth Protest

2012-01-18T05:33:00.005-05:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

In the Age of Marcellus: The Rage Builds

2012-01-17T05:55:00.001-05:00

Take a look at the faces in the photo above. Anyone looking overtly happy to you?

This is just a snapshot of the growing rage out here in the Marcellus Shale Zone, and based upon what I'm hearing and seeing, it's not going to subside anytime soon. And our own DEP is proposing more injection wells in Pennsylvania? Go figure.

In other news, our good Governor Tom Corbett has fired the Executive Director of the DCNR's Citizen's Advisory Council. The man held the post for ~15 years. Read more about it here.

I wonder: Why him...why now?

Finally, I've received even more letters leaked by concerned citizens. Once I get a few spare minutes, I'll be posting them here.

Frackileaks, indeed.

Susquehanna Bubbling: 500 days and counting...

2012-01-15T08:32:00.001-05:00

As I've covered this issue several times in the past, I'll keep my comments brief.

The Susquehanna has been bubbling methane where it has never bubbled before...for 500 days. The DCNR - on the watch of then Secretary John Quigley - approved drilling under the Susquehanna from Towanda to the Wyoming County line for the tidy sum of $16.1 million dollars.

Chesapeake Energy has several wells near the section of the Susquehanna that is bubbling. The DEP's Williamsport office refused to make copies of their findings and send them to me, even though I offered to stroke a check to cover ALL copying and mailing costs.

This must come to an end. My march on Fort Chesapeake beginning on 31 July 2012 will be far more than symbolic.

Warrior Road, indeed.

Stay tuned.

Next SRBC Meeting Set: Idus Martii 2012

2012-01-14T09:35:00.008-05:00

Seriously...The Ides of March?!?!

Right now, I am at a loss for words. I'll be back sometime this weekend.

2/17/2012: Five Degrees Beyond Boiling

2012-01-11T05:29:00.007-05:00

It should be fairly easy for everyone to understand the simple fact that all life on earth depends on access to clean drinking water. More than oil, more than gas; all life, especially us homo sapiens type creatures, needs clean water to exist. It’s truly not a subject for debate or deliberation.

Yet, as we begin 2012 in the Age of Marcellus, our cleanest surface waters and groundwater are being siphoned away, laced with toxic chemicals, and pumped underground for profit: all to feed the bea$t.

What does the future portend for our children and grandchildren when our waters are under the complete control of our government? Is that too far-fetched to imagine? Think hard, my friends. Look at what the Susquehanna River Basin Commission is doing now; selling our purest water from exceptional value and high quality streams to the natural gas industry with no end in sight. Does anyone see any of our elected “leaders” trying to stop them? I simply ask; what will your answer be when your grandchildren ask: What did you do to try to stop this?

I’m not asking for tax-deductible contributions like many of the organizations claiming to be the “leaders” in the fight against the Marcellus madness. I am not asking anyone to write letters to their newspapers or elected leaders. We are well beyond that. I am simply asking you to look in the mirror and ask:

Who am I, what do I stand for, and what am I willing to do to join others and stop this? Resting one's loins on past laurels is no longer an option.

**Frac the Mic Check. Time for a gut check, my friends.**

Five degrees beyond boiling…great date for a protest on the DEP/SRBC’s doorsteps, n'est-ce pas?

2012: Time to put the bar on the floor

2012-01-08T08:23:00.008-05:00

The holidays...fiscal year-end at work...ongoing parental-care matters...and a never-ending onslaught of Marcellus-related calls, e-mails and issues; it seems like it's been non-stop for the last two months, and I do not believe there's an end in sight...at least not until 12/21/12.

Anyway...I'm up & running again. I thought my cable modem was the problem, but according to the ISP technician that came out to our house yesterday afternoon, we had "too many splitters" ( which they previously installed ) between the main cable junction and the eventual connection to the modem. I won't argue with his diagnosis simply because it was free and it's fixed.

As an update, to my knowledge as of this past Friday, the SRBC has not yet responded to the letter sent by several of the leading environmental groups in the commonwealth. Not a peep. Anywhere. That shouldn't surprise anyone. Unfortunately, instead of recognizing the fence-mending opportunity a reconvened meeting would provide, the SRBC appears to be stonewalling.

In my opinion, this decision - if final - is an egregious error in judgment that will make their next quarterly meeting in March - provided they have one - even more contentious than the December meeting in Wilkes-Barre...if that's even possible. Like a river...time is a continuum, and the documented adjournment of their 12/15 meeting before the vote on water withdrawals will not go away. It was a mistake, it cannot be undone, and it needs to be corrected. Post haste.

Speaking of the aftermath of the SRBC meeting, I received an e-mail from someone who claimed to be very knowledgeable about the SRBC. (S)he proceeded to tell me that I was "hurting the cause" by my actions after the meeting - specifically being part of the letter to the SRBC - and they chose to make that statement in an open forum by cc'ing several people I knew...and several I didn't. Suffice it to say that was an error in judgement on their part, an apology has since been received, and I'll hopefully not have to deal with that expert again until they understand the issues.

Folks, our government at all levels is supposed to work for us...We, the People. Unfortunately, that concept appears to have slipped beyond the grasp of the vast majority of those who were elected or appointed to do just that. That needs to change.

Whether Anno Domini or Common Era, my prediction for 2012 is that you'd better strap in and have lots of Dramamine close by. And tippy-cup lids should be used at all times.

Resurrecting a battle cry from the bygone days of my youth...

it's time to put the bar on the floor.

Hey...no comments about the hair. It was the 70's!

Fate of the Paxton Boys

2011-12-29T05:34:00.002-05:00

In an ironic twist of fate, one of the leaders of the Paxton Boys that massacred the Conestogas in 1763 - Lazarus Stewart - was killed fighting combined forces of the Iroquois Nation and British Loyalists in the Battle of Wyoming fifteen years later on July 3, 1778.

Additionally, several of my ancestors on the Williams side of the family met their fate on that day as well.

I have one more post in mind to wrap-up my annual tribute

to the Susquehannock (Conestoga) tribe.

Battle of Wyoming Monument - Wyoming, PA.

Back in a day or two.

Conestogas Buried...but where?

2011-12-28T05:34:00.006-05:00

I spent some time last night researching where the Conestogas massacred on December 27, 1763 were buried. In the end, it seems there's no clear cut answer.

I found several sites with (sometimes) conflicting information. This website claims they're buried on the old Nissly Farm and were possibly moved, while another claims they were buried here. In both cases, Chestnut Street in Lancaster is mentioned, so I'm guessing that location would be a good starting point for anyone interested in researching this topic further.

During my wanderings, I also found this book, which I am definitely planning to add to my hardcopy library.

Were the Conestogas moved to make way for the railroad? Is their burial place now covered with a parking lot? And ultimately...does anyone care?

Next up: the results of a family meeting regarding my continued involvement in all things Marcellus.

Above/below: Family walk along the Susquehanna River @ sunset

on 12/25/2011 - Wyoming, PA

Conestoga Massacre - December 27, 1763

2011-12-27T05:30:00.004-05:00

After reviewing last year's posts beginning in mid/late December, I decided that my offering below summed up the Conestoga Massacre on December 27, 1763 the best. There's also a two page account of the massacre I found recently which is also worth a few minutes of your time, along with a link below to the NA Nations website.

+ + +

On the inside wall of the Green Room in The Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, PA, there is a plaque that was dedicated on June 22, 1997.

+++

THE CONESTOGAS

"It was the worst of times, it was a turbulent time."

Paraphrase of Charles Dickens "A Tale of Two Cities"

"Into the Night" by Johnny Tiger Jr.

On Sunday morning, December 27th, 1763, the Paxton Boys, a self

styled vigilantic/militia group came to this location

and murdered the remaining 14 members of the commonly referred

to Conestoga Indians. 13 days prior to this they had murdered 6

other members of this small band.

Today we are honored to pay our last respects to those

unfortunate souls who had become refugees in their own land.

They were not guilty of any crime other than being at this place

during that turbulent time.

THEY TOOK THAT FATEFUL JOURNEY INTO THE NIGHT.

Sheehays (Shehaes) Chee-Na-Wan (Jacob)

Washen (George) Quaa-Chow (Young Shehaes)

Tee-Kau-Ley (Harry) Shaw-E-Kah (A Boy)

Ess-Canesh (Capt'n John) Ex-Undas (A Boy Chrisly)

Teawonsha-I-Ong (Betty) Saq-Uies-Hattah (Capt'n John's Son)

Kannenquas (Bill Sock) Tong-Quas (Little Peter)

Kyungueagoah (Milly Sock) Hy-Ye-Neas (A Boy)

Koweenasse (John Smith) Ko-Qua-E-Un-Quas (Molly)

Tenseedaagua (Peggy Smith) Karen-Do-Uah (A Little Girl)

Kaniinguas (Little John) Cannukie Sung (A Little Girl Peggie)

Until we meet again. From all of us. June 22, 1997 AD

+++

Here's a firsthand account from one of the many websites about the massacre:

A part of one from William Henry, of Lancaster, to a friend in Philadelphia, is given in " Rupp's History of Lancaster County." He says, "A regiment of Highlanders were at that time quartered at the barracks in the town, and yet these murderers were permitted to break open the doors of the city jail and commit the horrid deed. The first notice I had of the affair was that, while at my father's store near the court-house, I saw a number of people running down-street toward the jail, which enticed me and other lads to follow them. At about six or eight yards from the jail we met from twenty-five to thirty men, well mounted on horses, and with rifles, tomahawks, and scalping-knives, equipped for murder. I ran into the prison-yard, and there, oh, what a horrid sight presented itself to my view! Near the back door of the prison lay an old Indian and his squaw, particularly well known and esteemed by the people of the town on account of his placid and friendly conduct. His name was Will Soc. Around him and his squaw lay two children, about the age of three years, whose heads were split with the tomahawk and their scalps taken off. Toward the middle of the jail-yard, along the west side of the wall, lay a stout Indian, whom I particularly noticed to have been shot in his breast. His legs were chopped with the tomahawk, his hands cut off, and finally a rifle-ball discharged in his mouth, so that his head was blown to atoms, and the brains were splashed against and yet hanging to the wall for three or four feet around. This man's hands and feet had been chopped off with a tomahawk. In this manner lay the whole of them-men, women, and children-spread about the prison-yard, shot, scalped, hacked, and cut to pieces."

R.I.P.

Off with the Laptop...On with the Oven

2011-12-25T07:23:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone has a joyous Christmas and spends all their time with family & friends and away from this 'puter thingy.

We've got a busload of folks on their way...so off to the kitchen I go.

Here are a few more pics from our home.

Above/Below: Annual tradition - burning all night bayberry candles

A few of my gifts so far...

Even he deserves a break...

Peace and glad tidings to all...

SRBC Debacle: From the email Inbox

2011-12-24T04:24:00.001-05:00

I received this today from a concerned citizen. It is posted with permission:

+ + +

"Can I get a copy of the PDF of the letter.

I have been tracking this since I noticed the chair adjuring the meeting and the next day someone else posted this on a websites. I am on a borough council and municipal authority board so I am very familiar with the sunshine act. If fact we recess our sewer meeting for another night this month so we could collect more data and make a decision that had to be made, but the discussion would take too long with out reviewing new data. When a meeting is recessed you have to state when it will reconvene and if it is for another day post at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. The one thing I am wondering is what was said at the table before she adjourned the meeting since they were talking according to the video.

More than a letter may be justified, like a private criminal complaint to the local DA. There is only a 30 day time limit to do so after a violation to the Sunshine act is noticed. If not then the actions taken at this illegal meeting are ratified. One of the reasons is the Corp of Engineers representative, he received an OER and event like this will only make it into the OER if the officer is charged. This could affect the way other officers vote in future SRBC and DRBC meetings. The OER process is a yearly event with an initial counseling, and quarterly reviews with the final quarter ending the year and starting a new one, but they can end early if the rater changes or a move to a new position. There is monthly counseling or event counseling that can happen. Getting charged under the sunshine Act would cause a counseling session for this event which would be reflected in the Quarterly OER and be a note in the yearly OER. This will be visible to the rater, senor rater, and reviewer. In other word the three people in the chain of command above the person will know that he was charged. This would send a shock wave to Officers that sit on any commission like this across the nation. It will also send a message to the SRBC, follow PA's rules when having a meeting. The fines were changed this year for the sunshine Act this year in HB or SB 100 and I am not sure of the date the fines take effect. It use to be $100 and court costs if a condition was meet. Now it is 100-1000 for the first offence and up to 2000 for the second and court costs are added to the fine."

+ + +

First, I hope to hear from this individual again. Second, I wouldn't know where to begin to prepare/file an action as mentioned above, but would be willing to cover the fees associated with filing the same.

Folks, collaborative teamwork is what we need more of.

Anyone willing to help? We can do this!

FULL TEXT of letter to SRBC

2011-12-23T05:33:00.006-05:00

If you want a PDF copy of the original letter, send me an e-mail.

Note: During the "cut & paste" process, I noticed a few spacing errors below. I may not have corrected them all. Apologies if I missed any.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

December 22, 2011

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL

Paul Swartz
Executive Director, SusquehannaRiver Basin Commission

Richard A. Cairo
General Counsel, SusquehannaRiver Basin Commission
1721 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA17102-2391

Re: Commission Failure to Follow Procedure Resulted in Ineffective Approval of 26 Water Projects at Dec. 15, 2011 Meeting

Dear Mr. Swartz and Mr. Cairo,

The undersigned organizations send you this letter because we believe the Commission improperly approved pending docket action items and improperly curtailed public comment at its December 15, 2011 meeting in Wilkes-Barre. The Commission should reconvene at a date in the near future to appropriately reconsider the docket and allow public comment. The facts meriting this action are as follows:

On December 15, the Commission appropriately completed the majority of its action items and provided an opportunity for general public comment. The Commission later considered the last remaining action items: 26 pending water withdrawal projects primarily for shale gas operations. While the Commission solicited and listened to specific questions concerning the 26 proposed water withdrawals during a presentation on those projects by Commission staff, the scheduled second public comment period had not yet begun when disruptive behavior occurred.

Prior to this meeting the Commission published a public notice in the Federal Register and Pa Bulletin stating in relevant part:

"Interested parties may appear at the hearing to offer written or oral comments to the Commission on any matter on the hearing agenda, or at the business meeting to offer written or oral comments on other matters scheduled for consideration at the business meeting. The chair of the Commission reserves the right to limit oral statements in the interest of time and to otherwise control the course of the hearing and business meeting."

When disruptive behavior made the proceedings unintelligible, the Commission chair briefly attempted to control the proceedings and, failing to do so with her voice and gavel, adjourned the meeting. The Commission did not state its intent to subsequently reconvene, and some attendees in the audience left the meeting at that point. The Commissioners and Commission staff then excused themselves only to return minutes later where they voted and approved the 26 projects at issue,off-the-record and without having formally reconvened. None of the remaining individuals wishing to provide public comment were able to exercise that right.

We commend the Commission for providing a general comment period, however, that period is not a substitute for an opportunity to comment on particular applications, consistent with the SRBC’s published notice.Indeed, Commission staff knew of at least one individual, Don Williams, who specifically noted his intent to provide particular comments on each water withdrawal prior to and at the December 15th meeting but, due to the abrupt adjournment, was unable to exercise that right.

We believe that off-the-record approval of the 26 water withdrawal projects may be legally ineffective due to the previous adjournment and the Commission’s failure to control the meeting and allow public comment. The Commission should reconvene in the near future to reconsider those docket approvals and allow related public comment.

Although the Commission’s regulations at 18 C.F.R. §808.1 et seq. do not squarely address the instant issue, it is very clear from both eye-witness reports and video of the proceedings that there was in fact adjournment prior to approval of the 26 water projects. Because the majority of the proposed water withdrawals concerned shale gas operations that entail potentially significant direct, indirect and cumulative impacts, those approvals demand the utmost transparency and accountability. In addition, theCommission’s regulations recognize the inherent importance of substantive public participation, yet the Commission inappropriately approved docket items post adjournment of the public hearing without providing for such public participation. With these facts in mind, we respectfully urge the Commission to:


1) Publish notice of a reconvened public hearing for a date in the near future;

2) Meet, properly reconsider, and vote on the off-the-record 26 water projects with appropriate standards and time for public comment at that meeting; and

3) Notify the 26 water project applicants that they in fact do not have legitimate approval, and may not withdrawal water until such approvals are granted.

The undersigned organizations did not participate in the disruptions that occurred at the meeting and believe the Commission must take the aforementioned actions and, in so doing, uphold its commitment and duty to encourage respectful public participation, transparency, and the rule of law.

We recognize the difficulty in providing clear and concise responses to all of the organizations listed below, and therefore ask that an official response to this inquiry be sent to Guy Alsentzer, Director of Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna, at Guy@LowSusRiverkeeper.org,who shall disseminate communications among the undersigned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nadia Steinzor
Marcellus Regional Organizer
Earthworks

Thomas Au
Conservation Chair
Pa Sierra Club

Don Williams
Susquehanna River Sentinel

Guy Alsentzer
Director & Staff Attorney
Stewards of the Lower Susquehanna
Lower Susquehanna RIVERKEEPER®

Jan Jarrett
President
PennFuture

Jessie Thomas-Blate
Associate Director of River Protection
American Rivers

Myron Arnowitt
Pennsylvania State Director
Clean Water Action

All Fact'd-Up and Nowhere to Go

2011-12-21T05:53:00.002-05:00

In preparing for the 12/15/2011 SRBC meeting in Wilkes-Barre, I reviewed all 26 dockets on the SRBC's agenda. I also reviewed the minutes from the last 4 quarterly meetings of the SRBC, noting every water withdrawal for well completion, hydrostatic testing of pipelines, and other activities related to natural gas drilling. I had names, places, amounts, cumulative totals AND how much projected income the SRBC would realize from each site if approved.

That's correct, folks. The SRBC gets paid for approving the consumptive use of the most precious of our natural resources...WATER! How else do you think they could they be funding the construction of a brand new headquarters building in an economy like this?

Anyway, here is a verbatim extract from my prepared comments which never saw the light of day:

************

For today’s meeting, I reviewed the minutes of your last four quarterly meetings. As follows:

Dec 2010 Meeting –Withdrawals were approved from 3 CWF, 1 HQ-TSF, 1 Class A HQ-CWF, 1 Class C Exceptional Value CWF – all totaling in excess of 4 MGD. That amounts to over 1 billion gallons per year…from 6 of our finest streams.

March 2011 meeting - Withdrawals were approved from Coldwater Fisheries, Coldwater-Trout Stocked Fisheries, Exceptional Value waters and one Unclassified Stream. (NB: Mention Peoples Financial Services was a project sponsor – Indeed.)

June 2011 meeting – The Mother Lode! Approvals were granted for 11 CWF, 1 HQ-CWF ( Genesee Forks - also designated as a Class A Naturally Reproducing Wild Trout Stream ), 2 TSF, 1 HQ-TSF, 1 EV stream. Total: 16.126 MGD – 500MGM – 6BGY.

September 2011 – Approvals were granted for 2 CWF, 1 HQ-TSF, 1-HQ-CWF. Plus into basin diversions, ground water withdrawals ( favorite – from Meshoppen Pizza well ) and on and on. Seems like anyone and everyone who can fill out a form is getting in on the NG gravy train.

Today, you have 26 projects under consideration. Using the water portal on your website, I’ve reviewed the information that is available for each one of them. In order:

Three projects seek to withdraw water from Cold water fisheries ( #17, 23 and 24 ). I am requesting that they be denied – today – and that the project sponsors seek alternative withdrawal sites for consideration at a future quarterly meeting.

Two proposed projects (#9 & #13) are from trout stocked/migratory fisheries. I am requesting they be denied until an alternate site can be proposed.

And there was much more...

************

Hey...the next SRBC quarterly meeting is less than 90 days away.

Start gathering your data, folks.

Later.

SRBC Meeting: The Truth Never Sleeps

2011-12-20T03:43:00.014-05:00

For some reason, I awoke at ~2:30 this morning and checked my work and personal e-mails out of habit.

Sitting in my personal Inbox was an e-mail containing the following message:

"Looks like Don is correct.
Attached is an MP3 with a 2 min. excerpt from the meeting.
This is from a recorder which was on top of the speaker cabinet which was about 5 feet away
from the table where the commissioners were seated.
1:46-1:47. The chair of the meeting banged the gavel 3 times and can be heard to say very clearly, "this meeting is adjourned".
Hope this helps,"

I listened to the audio here. ( Thanks, Bill )

Needless to say, I was not going back to sleep.

Earlier in the day, I received an e-mail with this press release from the SRBC.

So...the SRBC chairperson officially adjourned the meeting, the Commissioners left the room, came back in and amidst absolute chaos, hastily approved the water withdrawals without giving the people who had formally requested to speak an opportunity to do so. I have that audio file as well.

At many levels, something is amiss here, wouldn't you agree?

******************************************************

The SRBC needs to formally reconvene the 12/15 meeting and allow comments to be heard regarding the water withdrawals that were approved - IMHO - illegally. As a citizen of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and as someone who requested to speak at the 12/15 meeting in writing - TWICE, I am formally requesting a continuation of the aborted public hearing on the 26 withdrawals listed on the original agenda with a 10 minute time limit per speaker and with the availability of audio/video presentations, if requested, within the 10 minute limit.

*************************************************

To the SRBC: You need to do the right thing here. I realize not too many people in Harrisburg even know ( or care ) what that is these days, but I hope your leadership will rise above the current political climate and squalor and give the people who truly care about the Susquehanna River an opportunity to speak - for the record and in front of the Commissioners. I recognize this isn't "fun stuff", but not too much is these days in the Marcellus Shale Zone. This can go in one of many directions. The decision is yours to make.

My timeline for a response - either way - is by COB, 12/22/2011.

djw444@gmail.com

Endless Mt. Outfitters' David Buck speaks at SRBC's public hearing.

Looking the Other Way, or...

2011-12-18T06:45:00.005-05:00

In 1997, while working at a large privately-owned mortgage company in the Valley Forge (PA) area, one of the senior underwriters asked to speak with me after hours. I had worked with her at a prior employer, and knew her by reputation and performance to be a pretty straight shooter. Not knowing what the issue was, I stopped by her office after most of the 9-5'ers had bolted for the day.

When I arrived, she asked me to shut the door and handed me a folder from the pile on her desk that contained the mortgage application of Dr. and Mrs. L**n* Fo*m**. ( Still remember the name to this day ). Having been in the lending/mortgage business for almost 18 years at that point, I perused the file fairly quickly; it was a cash-out refinance on their primary residence. The borrowers had good job stability, good income, good credit history, good cash reserves, and the collateral was a well-maintained unit in a desirable center-city condominium with a good LTV. I went through the file quickly again - thinking this was a test of some sort - and after finding I came to the same conclusion, looked up and asked: "What am I missing?"

She then handed me a second folder, which I opened and - to my surprise - found the same exact borrowers had applied to BUY a second (larger) condominium in the same building - as their primary residence.

For those that aren't too familiar with the conventional mortgage business, I'll try to make it simple: you cannot have TWO primary residences - or at least you couldn't in 1997. Any second property had to be funded as a vacation home or a rental property - PERIOD. And with those two latter mortgage classifications came higher interest rates, lower maximum LTV's ( requiring more money down ), usually stricter underwriting guidelines, etc.

Anyway, after reviewing the file for a second time, I simply blurted: "They can't do this. " At that very instant, I realized there was another issue complicating matters - the loans had been originated by the #1 top loan officer not only in the company, but possibly the entire southeastern PA market. This person was responsible for bringing in - on average - 40-50% of the loan origination business every single month. (S)He was THE company's cash cow. As the national sales manager, I was even paid an override on this person's production. I knew this was not going to be an easy issue to deal with, but now that I knew we had fraudulent loans in process, I also knew that I couldn't sit by and do nothing.

I asked the underwriter if I could take the files back to my desk and look through them at greater length, which she approved as long as I returned them before she went home for the day. When I left her office, I headed straight for a copier on the other side of the building and made a complete copy of both files and got them out of the office that evening. Among other things a more lengthy review of both files uncovered was that the borrowers, with the knowledge of (at minimum) the loan officer, had used two different real estate appraisers, two different title companies, two different credit reporting agencies ( possible to do at that time ), two different homeowner's insurance carriers...and so on. They clearly structured and processed the loans so that no one person or company would have both transactions pass in front of them at the same time. Bottom line: it was clear-cut fraud with severe penalties to all involved...if discovered.

Anyway, I knew I had to bring this to someone's attention, so the next morning I went to my direct supervisor, Mr. H**a** S*i*m**. I explained what I had discovered without bringing the underwriter into the picture. I could tell by his reaction that he was more than a little upset, but he said not to worry about it and that he "would take care of it."

Within a week, out of the blue with no counseling or advance warning, I was fired.

I could write for the next two days about what I discovered after the fact, but suffice it to say that not only was my supervisor knowledgeable of the fraudulent files before I met with him, he had actually helped organize the structuring of the "deals" to ensure ( he hoped ) they would fly under the radar screens of the companies involved in the various stages of the residential mortgage process.

However, he failed to consider and/or forgot one important step in the process; as both loans were over $100K, they both had to go a senior underwriter at the company, and one of the two was out on maternity leave.

A few years later I ran into the underwriter who brought the loans to my attention on a SEPTA train. I sat down next to her, and after a minute or so of light chatter, I asked her if she remembered the F***** files. At first she did not, but when I went into much greater detail, mentioning the loan officer by name and the fact that I was fired a few days after she made me aware of the fraudulent files, her memory was sufficiently jogged.

I then simply asked: "Why did you come to me with those files?", to which she replied: "Because I knew you would do the right thing."

Without going into another hour of pecking away this morning, suffice it to say that mortgage company involved imploded a year or so later. Lawsuits were filed, more fraud was discovered, and I think a few folks may have served some jail time. And if you're wondering what happened to those two files I copied...let's just say they found their way to the right people and leave it at that.

Look at today's headlines, folks. A lot of people chose to look the other way in State College and, I truly believe, Harrisburg. No doubt in my mind. Same thing applies to our elected leaders and what's happening in PA.

Looking the other way is easy, but as many are finding, it definitely has far-reaching consequences further down the road. Doing the right thing can also be very difficult...with unknown consequences ahead as well. Lines - perceived or real - must be crossed.

So it is with the Sandusky mess, and so it is with the Marcellus mess. Knowing what I know about the latter, I cannot and will not look the other way.

Consequences to follow...

Later.

12/15 SRBC Meeting - Videos Requested

2011-12-17T05:14:00.007-05:00

*** IMPORTANT ***

There were two, possibly three people recording the SRBC meeting in Wilkes-Barre on December 15, 2011.

I am asking for their help.

There are several folks, myself included, that believe the SRBC meeting was formally/officially adjourned by 2nd PA Alternate and DEP Employee Kelly J. Heffner BEFORE the vote regarding water withdrawals was taken. After leaving the room for a few minutes due to the ranting and raving of the Occupidiots, ( thanks, Renegade ), they ( the SRBC Commissioners ) rushed back into the room and - amid the screaming and shouting by the Occupidiots  - voted to approve the water withdrawals.

Several people in attendance have already contacted me and questioned whether the vote regarding the withdrawals was legal, as among other things, the meeting may have been officially adjourned AND there was no opportunity for people to formally comment on the proposed withdrawals, thanks again, to the Occupidiots.

And in case you're wondering - YES, I am less than pleased with the antics of the few that caused the meeting to end before all of the true river advocates had an opportunity to speak about and against the proposed withdrawals. To those specific folks who may stumble across this blog, I'm sure your parents would be really proud to see their sons and daughters dropping the F-bombs and J.C.'s in front of members of the military, clergy, and many veterans in attendance.

Finally, thanks to all of the rational adults who attended the meeting and chose to speak out on behalf of the Susquehanna River. For those that know me well, I was way out of character for a variety of reasons which I made very clear ( I hope ), and I do want to acknowledge the restraint of the Plains Township police officers in attendance.

Once again...videos and/or confirmation the meeting was officially adjourned - please. I have some people ready to pursue this legally if confirmation is received that the meeting was adjourned before the votes on withdrawals took place.

Have a good weekend, folks.

December 14, 1763

2011-12-14T06:38:00.000-05:00

On this date in 1763, the Paxton Boys attacked a village near Lancaster, PA and killed 8 peaceful Conestoga Indians. Less than two weeks later, they attacked again. From a prior post:

December 14, 1763: Today, a band of almost five dozen frontiersmen, called "the Paxton Boys", will attack a peaceful Susquehanna Indian village in Conestoga, Pennsylvania. They will kill eight of the 22 inhabitants in this unprovoked raid. "The Boys" will continue their rampage during the next two weeks.

SRBC Changes Terms of 12/15 Public Hearing

2011-12-10T07:30:00.010-05:00

To all:

On ~November 15th, when the Susquehanna River Basin Commission first posted its notice online setting the agenda for its 12/15/2011 meeting and public hearing, I printed a copy that same day. I've used that original notice, and the agenda items listed, to do research in preparation for the upcoming meeting. I still have that copy. I also have a copy of the September meeting notice as well.

This morning, when sending a link to that SRBC document to someone who plans to testify, I noticed some new language on page 3 that I did not recall reading previously. Upon further review, I discovered the revised notice was dated December 8th.

For your viewing (dis)pleasure:

Below: Original language in 11/15/2011 SRBC meeting notice

Below: Amended language added on 12/8/2011.

Folks...I won't comment further at this time. They know we're coming.

Let's not disappoint them.

Talking Points for SRBC Meeting on 12/15

2011-12-09T06:37:00.004-05:00

The amount and content of email traffic in advance of the upcoming SRBC meeting in Wilkes-Barre next Thursday, 12/15, has been incredible. I have to chalk it up to the approaching full moon.

Anyway, here's the text from an e-mail sent to me by a consortium of some of the movers & shakers of the anti-fracking movement. I've removed the bulk of the detailed talking points for obvious reasons.

If you want a copy of the complete e-mail, send me a request.

+ + +

Support the Susquehanna!

Tell SRBC to do its job and protect the river

and communities from gas drilling impacts.

At a meeting on December 15, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) will be considering several water withdrawal applications from gas operators, and intends to vote on proposed regulations that speed up approvals of gas development projects and the transport of hazardous drilling wastewater.

The SRBC meets regularly to make decisions on water use and management.

Please attend the December 15 meeting to tell the SRBC that it needs to stop promoting gas drilling—and instead do a better job of protecting the waters, wildlife, and communities of the entire Susquehanna Basin.

The meeting will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Best Western East Mountain Inn & Suites, 2400 East End Boulevard (Route 115) in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. There will be a public comment period at the end of the meeting, and we hope to also have the chance to comment on the proposed gas development regulations before the Commissioners vote on them.

Key points to make in your comments include:

· The commission must *****

· SRBC operates *****...etc.

Background: The Susquehanna River Basin Commission coordinates the use of water resources among Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania—the three states across which the river flows for over 400 miles—and the federal government. The Commission’s work is governed by a Compact adopted in 1970 by the U.S. Congress and legislatures of the three member states.

In November, the SRBC received a letter signed by more than 40 organizations across the region urging the Commission to stop its rulemaking on gas drilling until it conducts necessary comprehensive environmental studies.

If you can’t attend this meeting in person, please send a letter sharing your concerns to your state’s representative on the Commission; you can also copy the U.S. Commissioner and the SRBC.

Maryland: Dr. Robert M. Summers, Secretary. Maryland Department of the Environment. 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230.

New York: James M. Tierney, Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources. New York Department of Environmental Conservation. 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1010.

Pennsylvania: Michael L. Krancer, Secretary. Department of Environmental Protection. Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.

Federal: Colonel Christopher Larsen, Commander. North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 302 General Lee Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11252.

SRBC: Paul O. Swartz, Executive Director. Susquehanna River Basin Commission. 1721 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102

If you want to know my talking points...attend the meeting.

Pennsylvania's Rape Continues: A CALL TO ARMS

2011-12-07T06:02:00.004-05:00

These are entries from the journals of the officers and soldiers of Major General John Sullivan's Expedition against the Iroquois in 1779:

From the Journal of Dr. Jabez Campfield ( Surgeon 5th NJ Regiment ) - June 14th, 1779:

"Wyoming is a beautiful place, through which runs the Susquehanna, in a swift delightful course. The Lands here are exceedingly good and fertile; The river abounds with various fish in the Spring, it is full of the finest Shad, trout and pickerel are also plenty here."

+++

From the Journal of Lieut. Col. Henry Dearborn - June 23rd, 1779:

"...we are now incamp'd on the bank of the Susquehannah river - this river is at this place about 50 rods wide and abounds with fish of various kinds Such as Shad Bass, pike, trout &c..."

+++

From the Journal of Dr. Ebenezer Elmer - June 24th, 1779:

"Spend chief part of the day in fishing - Salmon trout, Succers, Bass & common trout are pretty plenty in the river."

+++

From the Journal of Lieut. William Barton - June 12th, 1779:

This branch is an exceeding fine, pretty river, and opposite the town in midsummer five or six fathom of water, as clear as it can be; ..."

+++

Imagine that. The Susquehanna loaded with shad, salmon and trout, and clear to depths of 30 feet. Right in the Wyoming Valley. And what do we have now?

Not even close.

Since 1779, Pennsylvania's primeval forests were cleared for the profits the lumber would bring. Pennsylvania's land was ripped open for the profits its coal would bring.

And now, the Susquehanna's waters are being sucked from its most pristine ( what's left ) headwaters for the profits it will bring to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the natural gas industry.

And many are simply content to sit idly by and watch this happen.

Whoever you are, even if you don't know enough to speak on the issues, please plan on attending the SRBCs public hearing on Thursday, December 15th at the Best Western/East Mountain Inn in Wilkes-Barre, PA - beginning at 8:30 a.m. - in support of those who stand in defiance to protect this watershed from those who wish only to profit from its defilement.

We cannot let this happen again.

Be there, and bring a friend...or three.

CBF's Campbell: PA Flying Blind!

2011-12-05T05:39:00.000-05:00

The Chesapeake Bay Journal may not cross too many radar screens out there, so I thought I'd pass this recent article along for consideration.

My only comment is that the title should read: Marcellus Shale drilling ~~may~~ will take huge chunks out of PA forests.

See the pic below taken from Wyalusing Rocks. In addition to the actual drilling pad in the distance at the end of the road, how much acreage is taken up by the access road itself, or the cleared utility area to the left at the beginning of the road? Multiply that by 30,000...or 200,000; and imagine the impact that will have on our state forests currently leased for drilling.

Photo by Don Williams

SRBC & Water Quality: You Tell Me

2011-12-05T01:01:00.001-05:00

In putting together my thoughts for the upcoming SRBC meeting on December 15th, I tripped across a prior post that contained the exact information I needed.

Check out my May 18th post here.

Of course, the SRBC claims otherwise. Go figure.

BTW - the nine Atlas THON kids from Penn State that we hosted had an excellent fundraising weekend. Thanks to all who contributed.

These young adults were exceptionally polite and well-behaved, and other than apparently liking my wife's "from scratch" mac-n-cheese better than my buffalo tongue chili...they were perfect guests.

Later.

1770-1783: The Revolutionary Peace?

2011-12-04T06:06:00.008-05:00

Gee...I wonder where we would be today - as a nation - if the founders of this country decided to lead a peaceful revolution?

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

- Thomas Jefferson

PSU THON - They're ba-a-a-a-ck...

2011-12-03T06:54:00.008-05:00

My wife and I are once again hosting some Penn State students from State College as they hit the streets @ sunrise this morning ( with temps at 28 degrees F ) to collect money for kids ( and their families ) struggling with the fight against cancer.

One of the parents suggested we get the kids some high visibility vests to wear, and we were more than happy to contribute to the cause.

Great job!

So as you're traveling around the streets of PA today, and you see the PSU kids with cans at intersections or in front of stores - please be generous. It's for the best of causes...helping kids with cancer in the fight for their lives.

Plus...as the THON'ers will be treated to my world famous (?) buffalo tongue chili tonight ( shhhhhhh... ), they may not be able to hit the streets tomorrow.

Breakfast...just not @ Tiffany's

Ode to the Susquehannock

2011-12-02T05:15:00.005-05:00

For those that have visited my blogs for the past decade, you know that I always focus the majority of my December posts around the Susquehannock Tribe and the Conestoga Massacres of December 14th and December 27th, 1763. To my knowledge, it's possibly the only blog on this planet that does.

This year will be no different, with one exception.

And for that...stay tuned.

2011 Black Friday Road Trip - Part II

2011-11-27T06:25:00.006-05:00

Anyway, I decided to get my daily walk in by following Creek Trail as far as ~20 minutes would take me one way. There were quite a few photo ops as Tobyhanna Creek chattered alongside the trail.

There was also plenty of evidence of beaver activity.

When I was on my way back, I was passing through a relatively swampy area when I heard an unmistakable "whoosh" off to my left in the dense underbrush. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked toward where I thought the sound came from. A few seconds later, another throaty and deeper whoosh...and then the sound of something moving fairly quickly - and thankfully - away from me in the vegetation less than ~20 yards away. I still get an adrenaline rush when I mentally replay what I'm sure was less than 30 seconds in duration from start to finish.

After a brief pause to make sure there was nothing ahead of me on the trail or along the swamp's edge, I picked up the pace - just a little - and headed back toward my car. No more streamside pics for this guy.

The picnic area near the parking lot looks to be relatively new, and I hope to be back at some point in the future next year.

As I planned to pass through the town of Jim Thorpe on my way home, I turned off Rte. 115 onto Rte. 903 when I spotted a roadside market with some unique items for sale. From left to right, prices ranged from $100 to $1,700.

Fortunately...they don't make any noises.

For all you football-a-holics out there, you might want to read up about Jim Thorpe, the man, and one of the greatest athletes of the last century.

Next up, Jim Thorpe - the town - and the stories it has to tell.

Later.

2011 Black Friday Road Trip

2011-11-26T06:27:00.006-05:00

We were once again fortunate to have my Mom & Dad join us for Thanksgiving. For a variety of reasons, it was limited to a one-day affair, which meant a total of ~270 miles of driving in one day ( pick-up in the early morning, bring to our home, and return ) ...with an overnight ( for me ) on Thursday night in Kingston.

As in many prior years, this meant an exploratory road trip for me on Friday morning. In the past, I usually headed north to Wyoming and Bradford Counties, taking pictures and - in some years - paddling on the Susquehanna. This year, I decided to head in the general direction of home along Rte 115 - aka Sullivan's Trail - for most of the way.

Here are some pics and tales from Thanksgiving and my 2011 Black Friday Road trip.

Above: Time for dessert after dinner. Apple pie from Old Forge & mini-cheesecakes from Georgetown.

Below: Pics along Rte. 115 South beginning @ Wilkes-Barre.

Taken by Don Williams on 25 Nov 2011

Below: Bear Creek below the dam looking downstream.

Below: I stopped at the Williams pipeline site to take more than a few pics of the facility. Security was lax, to say the least.

Below: This natural area was a neat find. I will be back to explore the trails when I have more time...and a gun.

I've got to cut this post short, as I have some folks coming over early to help take down a tree in our backyard. Hopefully, all will go well.

Next post: My (too) close encounter with a bear along Creek Trail near Blakeslee, Jim Thorpe ( the man and the town ), paranormal activity at Bear Appetit, and the view from Flagstaff.

Later.

AP Story: Sue Paterno Turned Away

2011-11-24T08:08:00.003-05:00

I hope this story is not true. So...it's okay for Joe Paterno's son to continue to coach PSU football, but his wife cannot take a morning swim in a PSU pool?

That is so wrong.

As the father of three children, and of a PSU student, I am deeply troubled - at many levels - by all of the events of recent weeks.

More people were aware of the "alleged" incidents than we will ever know, and I believe there is a massive CYA cover-up underway in State College, Harrisburg, and who knows where else. I just hope someone steps forward and blows the lid off this thing. All we need is one good (wo)man to summon the courage to do the right thing. After the first step...it's easy.

Thanks in part to the media, it seems our culture has shifted from being tried before a jury of your peers to guilty until proven innocent.

Very sad.

Mauch Chunk Lake: Into the Night

2011-11-20T08:28:00.002-05:00

I felt a need to do a night paddle yesterday, and as things worked out, I did.

It was overcast...but with no moon whatsoever while we were on the water, it was as dark as it could possibly get.

My paddling partner decided to get a good workout in, while I was content to take a nice slow paddle up and down the 2+ mile long lake in the mountains outside Jim Thorpe, PA. There was almost no wind, and except for a few dogs barking off in the distance...you could almost hear your heart beating.

Two hours in darkness, silence and cold...a great way to recharge the body, mind & soul.

Below: My paddling partner's vest reflects the camera's flash.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

444 days later...the Susquehanna still bubbles

2011-11-19T07:13:00.019-05:00

This weekend, we will mark the 444th day that the 444-mile-long Susquehanna River has been bubbling methane and who knows what else on the north branch in Bradford County near Sugar Run, PA.

There will be no parades, no speeches, and no cakes laden with a whole boatload of candles. For those of us who love the Susquehanna, and seek to protect her, it is an anniversary we would most definitely like to forget.

Bubbling Waters 2 - Susquehanna River from Don Williams on Vimeo.

Susquehanna River Bubbling Methane on 7/17/2011 from Don Williams on Vimeo.

On 05 Sept 2010, the field of bubbles was at least 50' x 150'.

Photo by Don Williams

But alas...we cannot.

Our bought-and-paid-for "hero" governor continues to push the natural gas industry's agenda onward, the DEP continues to regurgitate their industry-concocted statements, the SRBC continues to rubber-stamp consumptive withdrawals from our exceptional value and Class A trout waters...yet many good men and women continue to remain silent.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission's next quarterly meeting in Wilkes-Barre on December 15th presents a great opportunity to be heard. Believe me, the natural gas industry will be well represented there. But more than that, with the "active" role the SRBC claims to play in flood monitoring and control within the Susquehanna's watershed, it will be an opportunity for all those impacted by record flooding in early September to let them know what a great job they are doing.

My friends, don't let the SRBC continue to facilitate the rape of the largest watershed in our commonwealth. Come out and be heard.

Be the voice of the Susquehanna River.

Be the voice of future generations.

If nothing else...be there!

You won't regret it.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

-Edmund Burke (1729-1797)

12/15/2011 - The SRBC Comes to Town

2011-11-18T05:54:00.001-05:00

Time to bring this to an end.

Be there.

SRBC Approves 500+ MILLION gallons for Fracking

2011-11-16T05:50:00.002-05:00

Check out these three pages from the Federal Register.

Run the tape on all 93 approved withdrawals yourself. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission's slam dunk "Approval By Rule" process for approving natural gas drilling related water withdrawals from our streams and rivers is a joke.

The SRBC is coming to Wilkes-Barre on December 15th.

If you care about our commonwealth's waters....be there.

WE ARE...

2011-11-12T06:37:00.001-05:00

PSU/BOT: Get it Right!

2011-11-10T06:16:00.002-05:00

As the parent of a student at Penn State University's main campus, I am deeply disturbed - at many levels - by the unfolding events of the past week. I hope, truly hope, that the Board of Trustees and new leadership of PSU gets it right from day #1.

I'll defer any further comments at this time.

P.S. Tom Ridge is not an option.

EPA Hosts Special Hearing in Philadelphia

2011-11-08T20:00:00.001-05:00

I spent my lunch hour (and then some) speaking at the Regional EPA office in Philadelphia, PA this afternoon.

There were 20+ people invited to this special hearing on natural gas drilling activity and its impact on the lives of folks living in the Susquehanna River basin. Members of the media were not invited.

I have a lot to report about the ~3 hours of testimony given, and more importantly, what I think the EPA's next step will be. And I believe it will be significant. Unfortunately, I had a long & ugly day at work and I need to crash and burn tonight.

Full report in my next post.

Saturday Morning Math: Fracking 101

2011-11-05T08:15:00.001-04:00

I finally took the time to do some quick calculations necessary to answer a question I had regarding the volume of bedrock fractured by a modern-day lateral well extending 5,000 feet vs. an older-style "one hole straight down single frack" ( SHSF ) well.

Within the past year, I remember reading an article indicating the the volume of rock fractured by a single hole well ( SHSF ) was a sphere roughly 300 feet in diameter; about the length of a football field. Once the drill bit is turned as it enters the Marcellus Shale formation, today's lateral wells extend out 5,000 feet or more before the hydrofracturing phase begins.

So...all you need to do is calculate the volume of a sphere with a radius of 150 feet (A) and compare it to the volume of a cylinder with the same radius and a length of 5,000 feet (B).

Drumroll, please:

A: Volume of sphere: 14,137,166.9 cubic feet

B: Volume of cylinder: 353,429,173.5 cubic feet

Um, er...that can't be right. The volume of a cylinder with the same radius as the sphere fractures 25 times more bedrock!?!?

Unfortunately, it is correct. Check it out for yourself here.

And taking it to the next logical step, a wellpad ~~may~~ does have multiple laterals drilled in multiple directions. So, if a wellpad has 8 laterals heading in 8 different directions, with each lateral extending 5,000 feet from the drilling rig, that one single modern-day wellpad fractures 200 times more bedrock than an old single-hole single-frack well of years gone by.

And with 100,000 or more wells being planned for the decades ahead in the Marcellus Shale Zone, well...you do the math.

God, I do thank You for Saturday mornings. They refresh my soul and strengthen me for the days ahead.

Have a great weekend, folks.

Insurance Industry Shareholders: BEWARE!

2011-11-04T06:07:00.004-04:00

I spent the first 20 years of my career in the lending industry; primarily residential mortgages. The first ~7 years were with a Bank of America subsidiary that was a one-stop shop, i.e. I and my staff solicited, originated, processed, approved, closed, funded and serviced the loans - all under one roof.

I saw it all, and at one point when I reviewed my time in that industry, I guesstimated - conservatively - that I had overseen the complete life-cycle of over 10,000 loans.

Based upon my second-to-few experience, it is my opinion that if the insurance industry is not closely monitoring the events taking place in the Marcellus Shale region - and assessing the ever-increasing risk associated with all aspects of this industry's impact on the land, water, air...and property values, they are rapidly approaching a major financial kick in the noogies of biblical proportions.

Happy Friday!

Marcellus Multiplier: Alive and ( Not So ) Well

2011-10-31T06:03:00.000-04:00

Thought you might be interested in this bit of news about an aspect of the Marcellus Madness that the NG folks fail to tout for obvious reasons.

More here.

As always, Bradford County Commissioner Doug "Bring me my rose-colored glasses" McLinko sees this as being a non-issue.

As more wells are drilled and pipelines built, this will only get worse.

NY Times Article: Threats from Cowards

2011-10-30T06:59:00.012-04:00

I'm sure this article will be widely distributed before the end of the day, but wanted to pass it along just in case you're not on one of the many drilling-related distribution lists out there.

I haven't received any direct threats yet, but there have multiple attempts recently to hack my PC - specifically focused on this blog - which caused a couple of brief shutdowns while I had some of my I/T guru friends track down the source(s) and ensure all the security software I pay for was working properly. For example, here's my traffic last Wednesday from StatCounter:

The majority of pageloads came from three distinct locations, and let's just say my I/T guru friends are very good at what they do.

Anyway, after dealing with hand-me-down computers over the last six+ years as we bought new laptops for our kids in college, I finally saved enough to justify buying a slick new Dell XPS laptop with all the bells, whistles and high-end memory/applications...plus some pretty awesome built-in JBL speakers. I spent most of yesterday tracking down long-forgotten passwords, resetting my wireless router, and just getting through the initial frustration of transitioning to a new computer after working the same laptop for the past ~two years. Once I've fully migrated to the new XPS, my next task is to scrub three older desktops of all old pre-blogger posts and any other important "stuff" before I take them to the next recycling event in my area.

As you've seen from several prior posts, Chesapeake Energy is throwing a lot of money around in northeastern PA...and the so-called river-friendly folks out there seem to have no problem accepting it. From the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, to the folks at River Common, to local municipalities throughout the Susquehanna watershed...Chesapeake is amassing a lot of markers to be called at some point in the future.

I have little time and even less respect for any of these groups, and the handouts they are accepting will eventually come back to haunt them many times over.

Promise.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy." - SOCRATES

Chesapeake Sponsors NEPA Environmental Gala

2011-10-28T05:38:00.000-04:00

And it appears the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) gladly accepted their tainted money.

How sad.

Treated frackwater safe? Guess again...

2011-10-26T06:16:00.001-04:00

Check out this backpage article in today's Citizen's Voice.

The incident occurred in June? What else has happened that we haven't heard about?

Drumbeats Through Time: Part II

2011-10-22T07:53:00.012-04:00

Here are two videos I took @ Drumbeats Through Time on October 15th. The second is just over 7 minutes long and well worth watching. I wonder if anyone will hear the message within...

Also, for those history buffs out there, Al Parker is a blood-relative (~g-g-grand nephew – if I recall his lineage correctly ) of Ely S. Parker, who served under General Ulysses S. Grant during in the Civil War and later during his presidency. As a matter of fact, Ely Parker was at Appomattox ( the surrender docs were in his handwriting ) when Robert E. lee surrendered in April 9, 1865.

The message I heard from Al Parker was that WE must – collectively – come together as one. WE must sit at the round table - or circle – and deliberate in a way that ensures decisions made today will benefit those yet unborn seven generations from now.

"We're in this together."

AMEN!

Penelec: Incompetence or Intentional Negligence?

2011-10-20T05:44:00.004-04:00

As a prelude to my comments this morning, please check out this previous post.

To get an idea of how high the Susquehanna rose, check out the pic below from that post - where Dan is standing on the road directly in front of his home - and the pic at the top of the blog.

Believe it or not, a month++ since the early September floodwaters receded, Dan Natt still has no power at his home. Imagine being without electricity for over a month, and at a time when you are trying not only to clean it up and dry it out, but also to restore it so you can move back in and resume your lives.

For well over a year, Dan has been a visible and vocal critic of not only the natural gas industry, but also of many of the local "officials" and how they've been handling the continued invasion and environmental rape of Bradford County.

Many feathers have been ruffled.

Think some phone calls have been made to intentionally slow down restoring power to Dan's property? If you think things like this don't happen...guess again.

I've sent a request to restore the Natt's power ( Dan Natt, Echo Beach Road, Towanda, PA ) to Penelec this morning.

Let's see where this goes.

Drumbeats Through Time: A Message

2011-10-16T11:28:00.008-04:00

With the Susquehanna muddy & high, I decided to forgo a paddling trip, and attend - for the first time - SRAC's Drumbeats Through Time in Waverly, NY on Saturday.

This was both a magical Mystery tour as well as a magical history tour. Here are but a few if the pics taken with some brief narratives if/when needed.

Read more about the event with some neat pics here.

Below: SRAC's museum has tons of NA artifacts.

I joined the SRAC on Saturday. You should, too!

Below: Views from Wyalusing Rocks

You know...I had to get a little closer to the tree - and the edge.

P.S. - Please don't tell my mother...

Chesapeake sponsors yet another event.

More pics & comments to follow in my next post.

G'nite.

This Saturday: Drumbeats Through Time

2011-10-13T05:44:00.002-04:00

Folks, if you live anywhere near the Sayre PA/Waverly NY area, this is an event you might want to check out on Saturday. Deb Twigg has worked hard to grow her passion into an outstanding organization, and I hope if you have the time this weekend, you'll get out and support the SRAC.

Marcellus Shale Gas Contains Radon?

2011-10-12T05:31:00.003-04:00

The first phone call hit late yesterday afternoon on my way home, followed by a few emails, a few more e-mails, and then - in my mind - a confirmation that the press release was legitimate.

Folks, we all know the Marcellus Shale formation is naturally radioactive. It appears - based upon reports and articles starting to hit the Internet - that the gas being extracted from the shale has many of the same properties. First - they contaminate our drinking water. Now...the very air we breathe?

Clean-burning natural gas? Methinks not.

The Marcellus Multiplier; it just gets better & better.

OCCUPY PHILLY: Free the Turtles!

2011-10-11T05:09:00.015-04:00

I decided to spend my lunch hour on Monday checking out the "Occupy Philly" gathering in center city Philadelphia.

Here are a few pics & comments.

I decided to check out the blue & red recycle bins in the pic below.

Does that water look inviting to you? Even the turtles want out.

FREE THE TURTLES!!

I'm posting the pic below for one reason. I dropped a donation ( more than a buck ) into the bucket to support the folks who are taking the time out of their lives to participate in this event. I had eye contact with the young lady while doing so.

Nothing...not even a thank you.

Your parents ( and the event organizers) should be proud...

The I, Me, My, Madonna generation is alive and well (?) and has descended upon Philadelphia. I bid them peace.

P.S.: All life on earth deserves respect.

Free the Turtles!

Project #2: The Williams Chronicles

2011-10-09T07:38:00.003-04:00

Hey...to the folks from Tulsa who visit almost every day - chill out. This isn't about you.

My Aunt Sandy - ( Sarah Maude (Williams) Connelly ) - was our family historian, simply because she threw almost nothing away. I have photos dating back to the 1800's, letters written over 50 years ago, and boxes of unexplored goodies that I've decided to scan, photograph, and otherwise convert to digital files that I can save to a CD and send to our relatives.

That project will require a great deal of time that was otherwise spent here, but as the unofficial family historian of this generation, I'm committed to seeing it through.

Here are a few pics from my Aunt Sandy's wedding album that I recently received from my sister.

Below: Aunt Sandy on ( I believe ) her wedding day.

The envelope below contained a letter to Aunt Sandy written by my great grandmother, Sarah Maude (Stewart) Williams. To my knowledge, it's the only letter in her handwriting that anyone has.

Thanks...Aunt Sandy!

Chesapeake Energy Sponsors ChalkFest

2011-10-08T11:43:00.000-04:00

Can RiverFest 2012 be too far behind?

2011 Flood Perspectives

2011-10-07T06:05:00.002-04:00

I said I was going to slow down...not go away.

Here's a pic of me kayaking the Susquehanna near Wysox, PA. It was taken from the top of the river's natural bank, which is a good ~20' or more above the river at "average" flow.

Here's a picture of "Bradford Bear", which is setback ~30 feet or more from the spot where the picture above was taken. You should be able to see the guardrail in the photo.

Below is a pic of Bradford Bear ( almost dead center ) taken on 9/8/2011. The water was still rising, and went up another 8" or so. The mailbox in the foreground/left was eventually covered.

All photos taken by DK Natt.

As of the date of this post, almost a month after the river crested, the Natt's are still without electricity.

12+ years and counting...

2011-10-03T07:41:00.023-04:00

I'm pretty sure I started "blogging" not too long after I bought my first kayak, which was in 1997, and I know I used at least one now long defunct hosting website before switching to go.com in ~1999, which also stopped hosting "personal pages" sometime after ~2000 or so.

Even though the "Week 1" printout at the top of this blog definitely predates 10/3/1999, I use the October 3rd post as the "official" start date of my online river advocacy.

So...I've been circumnavigating cyberspace for 12+ years, which is longer than most. As true hardcore bloggers know, this "thing we do" can take up a lot of personal time, and that doesn't even take into account the behind-the-scenes stuff we do. And as most of my longtime visitors know...the vast majority of my prior posts weren't archived, so even though I am still paying to have the other site around, and can retrieve offline copies of almost every post spanning ~8 years or so, you can only view this one online right now. I'm glad Harold, Mark and Ben finally browbeat me into switching to blogger.com in early 2010.

475 posts later...it's time for a break.

I've always been a goal-oriented person, and right now, this blogging thing is taking away from time that I really need to spend elsewhere to accomplish several personal goals that - realistically - may be beyond my reach in a few years.

Anyway, effective today - on my "official" 12th anniversary of entering bloggerdom - I'm going to begin a little quasi-sabbatical from posting as frequently as I have been for the past year or so. I will continue to act and speak as a true advocate for the Susquehanna River. That will never change. I will also continue to follow the whole Marcellus Shale mess as closely as I ever have. I just won't be as active here.

Thanks to all who visit and have supported or acknowledged my efforts in any way in the past. Going forward, I will provide thoughts, comments and updates on my progress toward my goals if and when I have the time. In the interim, keep your eyes and ears focused on the Marcellus Shale & Susquehanna River-related news of the day, for you never know where or when I'll show up next.

V

V

V

Trust me, there's a huge story here...

ATLAS THON - PSU's Finest

2011-10-02T15:06:00.008-04:00

Whew! The boys & girls from PSU are on their way back to Happy Valley. Not only did we really enjoy hosting this great group of young adults...we'd gladly do it again. We'll start stockpiling food for the next visit once we assess what we have left in the pantry & fridge...

After putting in ~11 hours on Saturday, they only "canned" for a little over 4 hours on Sunday, but they raised another ~$2,000 to come in at a total of ~$6,800 for the weekend ...including almost $1,200 in coins. I'm sure the folks at the bank really enjoyed watching me max out the capacity of their coin-counting machine...twice.

Eleven PSU students gave up their weekend to raise funds to help kids and their families struggling with cancer.

Someone want to criticize college kids today? Come see me.

So to Kaitlin, Isabella, Jenna, Bryan, Erin, Sean, Paul, Chris, Kristen, Ashley and Devin...tell your parents they did a great job. Hope to see you in February.

Here are a few pics to close out our Atlas THON-a-thon weekend. I need a nap.

THON!

2011-10-02T07:36:00.002-04:00

We're hosting 11 Penn State students at our home this weekend for their local THON fundraising efforts. If you're not familiar with THON, read more about it here.

From their website:

The mission of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of The Four Diamonds Fund.

Together we will find a cure.

My wife handled the grocery shopping, food preparation, etc. I was responsible for cutting the grass and making the outside presentable, general heavier cleaning, and having enough wood split & ready for the firepit. I offered to make a pot of buffalo tongue chili, however, the look I got pretty much quashed that idea.

On Saturday, the kids raised $4,800+, and they just cleared out of our home after breakfast this Sunday morning for Round II.

Anyway, our normal weekend routine has been interrupted, albeit for the best of causes...helping kids and their families cope with and hopefully - someday - beat childhood cancer.

So, please...the next time you see some kids dressed in Penn State garb with the cans above at an intersection, in front of a grocery store or fast-food place...consider what they are trying to do and contribute whatever you can. It all adds up.

Here are a few more pics from our weekend...so far.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

National Weather Service? Who dat?

2011-09-30T22:33:00.004-04:00

Folks, I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this.

You saw my 20.24' forecast for the crest of the Susquehanna River at Wilkes-Barre, provided about 4 hours before it actually happened earlier today. The National Weather Service predicted it would crest at 22.6'.

The actual crest was 19.75'. So, I came within 2.4% of the actual crest...about ~6 inches off.

The NWS? They got within 14.4% of the actual number. Like 34.2 inches off. Almost 3 feet!

Who got spanked? The National Weather Service. The supposed experts.

Data from USGS website for Wilkes-Barre gauge - 9/30/2011

Imagine if everyone along the north branch of the Susquehanna had an extra 4 to 6 hours to move their belongings to higher ground when Tropical Storm Lee dumped its load. How much more could have been spared being pitched into the streets? Of course, the broken USGS gauge at Wilkes-Barre is being blamed.

Sorry, but it is blatantly obvious to me that the NWS and the LCFPA do not know how to interpret upstream data and extrapolate the same to predict flooding @ Wilkes-Barre. And these people are the "experts" the media runs to for information?

Really?

The next time there's a potential flooding event along the north branch of the Susquehanna...check in here first.

River Crest Update: September 30th

2011-09-30T06:36:00.001-04:00

Umm, err...per this article, the National Weather Service has forecasted the Susquehanna to crest at 22.6 feet in Wilkes-Barre today. Per my post 4 hours ago, my number was 20.24 feet. Let's see how we stack up against the "experts".

Later.

20.24' Crest @ Wilkes-Barre?

2011-09-30T02:40:00.004-04:00

Folks, as of the time of this post, the Susquehanna River has not yet crested at Wilkes-Barre. It has crested at the 3 USGS gauges upstream. Based upon the same general calculations and averaging factor I used in this post, my forecast for the Susquehanna's crest on 9/30/2011 - barring any additional precipitation - is 20.24'.

Let's see how close we come to that number. Outside of additional rain or a dam release upstream, the only variable here which might have a slight (negative) impact on the eventual crest is the dropping temperature.

See you tomorrow.

Williams Pipeline Video: Must See!

2011-09-28T05:32:00.004-04:00

Thanks to the folks who filmed and put this ~7 minute video online. The last 30 seconds or so remind me of some scenes from Avatar.

Click on the link below to see the video in HD.

http://youtu.be/28t1kybKcmw?hd=1

Penn's Woods is being quickly transformed into Penn's Wastelands.

I'm being followed by a rain shadow...

2011-09-27T04:12:00.014-04:00

I was born and raised in the valley of Wyoming in northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to my parents, family members, coaches and other role models, I had some great teachers along the way @ Loveland Ave, Main Street, Wyoming Valley West, GAR Memorial, and Wilkes College.

In the order I remember them: Mrs. Jones, Ms. Rowlands, Ms. Bryant, Mr. Dombeck, Mr. Sobocinsky, Mr. Black, Mr. Mascioli, Mrs. Mengeringhausen, Mr. Rushton, Mr. Sparks, Mr. Mattei, Drs. Berryman, El-Ashry, Bellas, Cline, Kemrer and Redmond.

I especially remember Dr. Berryman, a meteorologist and Environmental Science department chair @ Wilkes. During my time there, he was working on a project to prove the existence of a "rain shadow" in the Wyoming Valley, which was ( simply put ) created by wind hitting the mountain ridges, being forced up, and causing "bands" of rain to fall in a somewhat predicable pattern, e.g. some areas would get drenched while others would get little or no rain depending on the direction of the prevailing winds, wind speed, temperatures, etc. Anyone living in the Wyoming Valley who has bothered to look up during an extended storm event over the years would have noticed long horizontal bands of darker clouds separated by much lighter skies.

As there was no internet or online database available in ~1975, I had to hop on a bus and take a trip to ( I believe ) the National Weather Service office in Philadelphia to gather historical precipitation data as part of his research. What I do specifically recall is that the meteorologists at the local ( WB/SCR ) airport basically told Dr. Berryman that the rain shadow effect did not exist and that he - pretty much - didn't know what he was talking about. Having worked with Dr. Berryman for several years, and taken many of his meteorology and climatology classes, I knew otherwise.

So, imagine my "surprise" many years later when I tripped across the following journal published by the American Meteorological Society. Seems the Dr. Berryman was dead spot on…it just took some other "experts" 20+ years to figure it out.

Fast forward to the present day, folks. We have hordes of "experts" on both sides of the horizontal hydrofracturing debate. Those supporting ( and probably funded by ) the natural gas industry say everything is fine, we know what we're doing, nothing we do underground has or will negatively impact freshwater aquifers, we've been doing this for 60+ years...yada - yada - yada. And those on the other side say we need to slow down and make sure we're doing this right or, in some cases, are calling for an outright moratorium. I'll side with the latter group.

Anyway…who is right? Having had some great science teachers in my life, and having done a great deal of reading and research in the 3+ decades after leaving Wilkes, I believe - with almost no doubt whatsoever - that due to the highly fractured and folded subsurface geology of northeastern PA - we will be dealing with the migration of fracking fluids upward into our drinking water supply within the next decade or so…if not sooner. The more wells they are allowed to drill and frack, the greater the probability it will happen in my lifetime.

And the NG folks and their allies - provided they haven't moved on to rape another part of the country - will do what they do best when it becomes undeniably evident what is causing the contamination: deflect, distract, discredit & deny. Or blame faulty geology.

Hey...there's a spin they haven't used yet: It's the rock's fault!

Water under pressure follows the path of least resistance, and that toxic brew - my friends - is slowly headed in our direction.

Susquehanna Flood Mud & Dust Toxic?

2011-09-26T05:42:00.001-04:00

Folks, here's a post from 2+ weeks ago about my recommended post-flood precautions. Here's a news article from today's headlines.

The respiratory complaints are only the beginning. People should take every precaution not to breathe the dust from the drying flood mud.

Hmmm. Maybe Chesapeake, Williams and others would consider supplying the public in affected areas with high-end masks instead of giving away blankets and beer can holders at Penn State games?

Now that's something I would support.

Happy Monday.

Gunshots Fired at Well Site!

2011-09-25T07:49:00.008-04:00

For those that didn't think it would come to this...guess again. I'm not sure if it's the first, but my gut tells me it won't be the last. My gut also tells me to question whether this incident was staged by the NG folks themselves to further their cause against all us nasty, tree-hugging, anti-drilling fracktivists.

There was a very clear message sent by the natural gas industry in their $20 million lawsuit that hit the news a few days ago, and there's a very clear message in this latest incident. If not already there, this is about to move beyond ugly.

Anyway, took a road trip yesterday to see my first Penn State football game in ~10 years. The weather held out, the boys in blue & white prevailed, and we made it home safely after the tailgate party & nap.

For those that haven't been to Happy Valley lately...here are a few pics to give you an idea of how the natural gas industry is spending their advertising $ to target the next generation of PSU decision-makers, as well as their parents, grandparents, siblings, alumni...

Yes, Chesapeake Energy is a major sponsor of PSU football...

As is Williams Energy...

One of my favorite things to do is walk around PSU's expansive campus at all hours of the day & night and take pics, pics, and more pics. Here are just a few.

You can't get near this iconic site during the day, but no one seems to be around at night and before sunrise in the morning.

Below: I think Dr. Terry Engelder has an office in this building.

The coal-buring power plant on campus..site of many protests.

Below: Several of the many pics taken in Beaver Stadium...

Below: Don't know why, but this PSU statue made me think of people who have leased their land for gas drilling...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, folks.

Bloggers Beware: Chief Sues for Facebook Comments

2011-09-23T06:39:00.011-04:00

Hey, remember when our current Governor Tom Corbett went after some fellow bloggers for online comments he didn't like?

Well, now the natural gas industry is suing three Dallas, Pennsylvania families for $20 million for - among other things - comments on the GDAC's facebook page that "damage their reputation in the community."

My initial thought was: "What reputation?"

Read more about this here and here. And in case you just scanned the article quickly, a Wilkes-Barre attorney - Jeffrey Malak - is among those representing Chief. Et tu, Counselor?

Folks, read this quote from one of the articles above very carefully:

"In addition to being compensated for all actual losses and injuries sustained, Chief Gathering also is entitled to punitive damages arising out of the Dickson/Watkins Defendants' outrageous and intentional conduct," the suit states. Punitive damages are "also appropriate to deter them and others like them from engaging in such conduct in the future."

There is a very clear message here, folks. The natural gas industry is now taking aim at freedom of speech, and at the social media's growing power in this struggle.

And if you don't see that, then you are as clueless as they are ruthless.

Too harsh? Sue me...

As I said several years ago...this is gonna get ugly.

Vesper Service Scheduled at Historic Structure

2011-09-22T06:31:00.003-04:00

Luzerne County Behind Closed Doors...AGAIN!

2011-09-21T05:59:00.004-04:00

Unreal. That was my initial reaction to this editorial in today's Times Leader.

In a Pennsylvania county infamous for a never-ending cavalcade of corrupt politicians and doing business behind closed doors, the brilliant Luzerne County Commissioners decided to exclude the public and the press from the first post-flood meeting to discuss...the flood.

Seriously...how detached from reality can these three commissioners be?

For those that visit often, you know my views on the recent flooding. I won't take the time to regurgitate them in this post. Just look at my last three or so offerings and you'll get the picture.

This may soon become more interesting than the recent "kids for cash" debacle under the dome.

Stay tuned.

Calculating Wilkes-Barre's 2011 Flood Crest

2011-09-20T02:06:00.009-04:00

Okay folks. Here's your situation:

It's September 8th, and you're locked in a room in the bowels of the Luzerne County Courthouse.
You've just been told the the USGS gauge a few hundred feet away from you has failed. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of homes are being threatened by the crest of floodwaters surging downstream toward the Wyoming Valley and beyond.
Your job? Forecast the crest of the Susquehanna River @ Wilkes-Barre using only the data from the three graphs above.

ASAP!

The pressure's on...so here we go.

The simple formula:

Height of crest / gauge site floodstage = "Floodcrest Factor"

Using the graphs above, which were available online at all times:

Sayre: 27 / 12 = 2.2500 ff

Towanda: 30.5 / 16 = 1.9063 ff

Meshoppen: 44.5 / 27 = 1.6481 ff

Average floodcrest factor upstream = 1.9348 ff

Okay...with me so far?

Floodstage @ Wilkes-Barre = 22 feet

Drumroll please.....

Projected floodcrest @ Wilkes-Barre:

22 x 1.9348 ff = 42.5656 feet

Actual floodcrest @ Wilkes-Barre: 42.66 feet

Folks, in the absence of readings from the Wilkes-Barre USGS gauge, there was adequate data available from the still-functioning gauges upstream to forecast the potential floodcrest @ Wilkes-Barre to within ~0.3%, or just over an inch.

I realize my approach may be too simplistic for some and, of course, hindsight is 20/20. I'm not an engineer or a rocket scientist, and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night...but I work with numbers all day long, and have been for 30+ years as part of my career in finance and related fields. Additionally, I've been monitoring the USGS gauges on the north branch of the Susquehanna for years as well, both for my kayaking endeavors and whenever there was a potential flooding event on the horizon.

I believe the upstream data available to all the people monitoring the rising Susquehanna River clearly indicated the high water record set by Hurricane Agnes in 1972 @ Wilkes-Barre was about to be eclipsed. Why that wasn't quickly communicated to the people of the Wyoming Valley and further downstream in Shickshinny and Mocanaqua is beyond me.

Numbers don't lie folks. People do.

"This is going to be worse than Agnes."

2011-09-19T06:00:00.004-04:00

As someone who frequently paddles the north branch of the Susquehanna River, I am very familiar with the USGS Streamflow website. A quick check of any of the PA gauges north of Wilkes-Barre will tell me in an instant whether the river levels are safe, and if so, whether my trip will be fast...slow...or if I'll be scraping bottom most of the time.

After monitoring them for a decade or so, it's to the point where, based upon the reading at Towanda, I know if I'll have to go around the left side of an island just below Standing Stone, or if the narrow channel on the right will be deep enough to allow paddling without having to drag our kayaks over a few low spots.

To my point: in the ~24 to 36 hours leading up to the 42.66' crest at Wilkes-Barre, I was monitoring the USGS gauges very closely, as evidenced in a previous post. And folks...the numbers being predicted for the crest at Wilkes-Barre just weren't adding up. As back-up, here's an e-mail I sent to one of my fellow bloggers on Thu, Sep 8, 2011:

Mark:

Many of my friends upstream had to literally sprint out of their homes at 2 a.m. because water was pouring into their basements from the river. They were told by local authorities they had until 2 p.m. to get out safely. So much for accuracy when it really matters...

It's going to be a close one for W-B...the river is just starting to crest upstream. I'm not quite understanding why each upward adjustment for the crest at W-B was exactly 1.1 feet.

Stay dry & safe. And no damn pics from the Black Diamond!

Even when the river reportedly crested below 39 feet, the numbers - based upon gauge heights upstream - still weren't making sense. Of course, we found out after the fact that the gauge was capped at some number below 41.0 feet, and you know the rest of the back and forth that has ensued.

This past Friday, I was in the Wyoming Valley to take my father to a long overdue medical appointment. While I was waiting for the results of some procedure to come back, I struck up a conversation with the attending Dr. about the recent close call for the Wyoming Valley. For the record, this man is a prominent member of the community and is a second or third generation business owner. Anyway, I'm sure he had no clue who I was except the person sitting in front of him and one in a series of several patients he was scheduled to see before heading home for the day.

As we spoke about the areas hit hard by the recent flooding, he mentioned that an acquaintance was a neighbor of a fairly visible and knowledgeable member of the Luzerne County hierarchy. He went one to say that well before the river crested - the night before the evacuation order was given, I believe - the neighbors were discussing their preparations for the potential high waters when the Dr.'s acquaintance supposedly offered something like:

"I'm not worried. My home was not hit by Agnes."

to which the Luzerne County insider said,

"This is going to be worse than Agnes."

Folks, I wonder what residents of towns like Towanda, West Pittston and Shickshinny would have done of they knew that the high waters heading their way from the tag team of Irene and Lee had a very high probability of eclipsing the mark set by Agnes...say, 6 to 12 hours in advance of when the evacuation orders were planned or given? How much more could have been saved...or moved to higher ground?

I've already contacted a local reporter regarding this issue. The rest is up to that individual.

River Right...or River Left?

2011-09-17T06:40:00.001-04:00

Folks, I am getting inundated with e-mails, phone calls and pics regarding the aftermath of the flooding along the Susquehanna. I'm trying to keep up, but it is getting far more difficult each day.

I am a one-man band, and I do this on my personal time.

I don't have ads on my site to generate revenue...however that works.

I don't ask for personal donations.

I do this out of a personal belief and commitment that the Susquehanna needs at least one independent voice speaking out on its behalf. And with the 12th anniversary of my first verifiable post about two weeks away, I believe I am - hands down - the longest-running pro-Susquehanna River blog around.

Anyway, I've gotta figure out how to keep this endeavor moving forward. More in a few weeks.

Enough on that. On my way home yesterday from northeastern PA, I decided to remove some leftover eyesores along Rte.115 South near Wilkes-Barre. If only it were as easy to do the same in Harrisburg and Washington.

I have a jam-packed weekend of chores ahead of me. Ahhh, the joys of homeownership.

Enjoy.

Million Dollar Dump: Flood of 1936

2011-09-16T07:07:00.007-04:00

My octogenarian parents had to be evacuated in advance of the Susquehanna's rising floodwaters last week. Both are back @ home and doing well despite the interruption to their lives.

Over the years, my Dad often mentioned the "Million Dollar Dump", which is where a significant portion of the debris from the Flood of 1936 was hauled and ( I guess ) eventually buried. Today, it's the location of the Gateway Shopping Center in Edwardsville, PA.

A Google search of Susquehanna 1936 flood will bring up many images of the '36 and '72 floods, but here's one I didn't find after scanning several pages of photos. It's from a booklet that I found in the boxes of family memorabilia amassed by my Aunt ( Sarah Maude (Williams) Connelly ) Sandy.

It looks like the bear @ top left (below) is the smartest of the 3.

I hope the bears survived.

Anyway, I'm replacing my 1/2 hp sump pump today with an super-heavy-duty industrial strength model that will hopefully prevent our finished basement from ever flooding again. With the extremely shallow water table we have in our area, if my neighbors have any problems with their wells going dry should my sump pump perform as advertised, I'll deflect their criticism and blame it on the natural gas industry's insatiable need for water.

Hey...two can play this game. Have a good day, folks.

Levees and Floods: Letter from April 2003

2011-09-13T22:17:00.010-04:00

To all:

I had to unpack, boot-up and search two mothballed ( and extremely slow ) computers to find the email below, but I was damn determined to do so.

The online link to the letter as published in the Citizen's Voice in 2003 is an old zwire web address, and I cannot get it to work.

Anyway, here's what I had to say in a Letter to the Editor about levees and future flooding over eight years ago. I've cleaned up most of the text breaks to make the letter an easier read.

*********************************************************

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Williams" <djw@netcarrier.com>
To: <editorial@citizensvoice.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 8:45 PM
Subject: Re: Levee Completion

> To: Jim Gittens - Here's a text copy as requested. I'd appreciate having the letter printed as written. If you want to adjust the punctuation a little, be my guest.
>
> Thank you for your response.
>
> Don.
>
>**********

Dear Editor:

Floods happen. They are an integral and permanent part of a river's natural cycle. Even with dams, levees and all the engineering innovations of the past, the present & the morrow...rivers will continue to inundate their floodplains until the end of time. Man may delay the outcome, but nature always prevails.

People construct homes and buildings of commerce on floodplains. After each flood, these same people cry for more protection. "Raise the levees - dredge the river"...not realizing neither action will prevent future floods.

Prior to the 1700's, Pennsylvania - "Penn's Woods" - was covered by forests from the Delaware River to Lake Erie. It was once written that a squirrel could travel from the Atlantic shores to the Mississippi River without ever having to touch the ground. And amidst the forests were the swamps, a.k.a. wetlands. More than half the wetlands are gone, and even today the forests are sold to the highest bidder behind closed doors.

Think about the travels of a raindrop back then. It would first contact the upper reaches of the arboreal canopy maybe 150 feet above the forest floor. Layer upon layer of pine, oak, hemlock and maple would slow its descent. When it eventually reached the ground, which was cooled by almost constant shade, it would slowly seep into the dense humus-rich soils and percolate into and become part of the water table. Any dust or impurities were removed either by chemical or physical processes. The forests & wetlands acted as buffers, reservoirs and filters. How was water quality back then?

You can't even imagine.

Picture that same raindrop hitting a parking lot, driveway or city landscape of today. Surface runoff - storm drain - sewer system - stream. It gets to the nearest waterway a lot faster, dirtier and warmer than its counterpart of yesteryear. Envision that same area covered by thousands of umbrellas at various levels, with the ground itself covered with sponges wrapped in fine, porous filters. A very simple example, yes. But that's what is missing today. The forests and wetlands were nature's flood protection and water purification system for hundreds of thousands of years. Today, we pay for
a far inferior substitute that once was perfectly free.

The Army Corps of Engineers knows it...they just won't tell you. As more land is developed, as more forests are felled, wetlands filled and streams channelized...floods along the Susquehanna are going to increase in magnitude. If an event equal to Hurricane Agnes in 1972 occurred today...the newly raised levees in the Wyoming Valley would not provide the level of protection anticipated. In the last 30 years, people have been very busy upstream - and they have not been planting trees and saving wetlands.

Regards,

> Don Williams
> H*******, PA
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "James Gittens" <jgittens@citizensvoice.com>
> To: "Don Williams" <djw@netcarrier.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 9:29 AM
> Subject: Re: Levee Completion
>
>
>> Don:
>> Thanks for your e-mail to The Citizens' Voice.
>> We would like to print it as a letter.
>> Two things:
>> I'm not able to cut and paste the document. Can you send it as the
> body of the e-mail?
>> I need your town and (not for publication) phone number. Can you e-mail them?
>> Thanks.
>> Jim Gittens

**************************************

I think that just about covers it. G'nite.

THE SRBC MUST BE STOPPED

2011-09-13T05:30:00.004-04:00

Most people don't know of or understand the role of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

Although this is an oversimplification, the SRBC approves water withdrawals from the Susquehanna River and its tributaries...and gets paid for it, i.e. the more water withdrawals they approve, the more fee income they receive.

Think about it. They are making a profit from the sale of our commonwealth's public natural resources...

For the record, and as taken from the minutes of their last ( June 2011 ) quarterly meeting, they have no problems whatsoever approving water withdrawals for hydrofracturing from our cleanest, highest quality streams:

What's even more disappointing is that almost no one testified at the last two quarterly meetings. No one spoke out against the SRBC's continued rubber-stamping of permits to support water withdrawals for hydrofracturing. And no one spoke out in protest of their current plans to buy/build/lease a new headquarters building which is being funded - in part or in whole - by the exploitation of our precious natural resources.

The SRBC must be stopped.

To All of My October Paddling Friends

2011-09-12T06:20:00.003-04:00

For all the guys that joined me paddling & fishing on the Susquehanna over the last decade+ during late September & October, here are two pics that should "hit home" with most of you.

These are the "hermetically-sealed" MASH units we used to sleep in or camp next to along the Susquehanna in Bradford County. If you recall, these were quite a distance from the river @ normal levels.

Photos courtesy of EMO

Never underestimate the power of moving water.

Post-Flood: The Sights, the Smells, the Sounds.

2011-09-10T07:33:00.009-04:00

During the summer of 1972, shortly after the floodwaters from Agnes receded, I spent every day as follows:

Get up, have breakfast, grab shovel, walk from the Mayflower section of Wilkes-Barre to the Gateway Shopping Center in Kingston, former site of the "Million Dollar Dump" ( from the flood of 1936 ).
Spend the entire day pitching flood-damaged debris out onto the curb working for Herb and Jack ( both fondly remembered as professional gentlemen ) of HurJax Photo.
Stop by a home on Loveland Avenue and help a former neighbor clean out the basement of his home.
Walk back through Public Square, grab some free food and water being supplied by the American Red Cross and others.
Get home - Run, work out...then crash and burn until the alarm went off the next morning.

I did this every day - 7 days a week - until the two-a-day football practices @ GAR High School began in August.

+ + +

I remember the sights, smells and sounds of the flood-devastated Wyoming Valley as if it was yesterday.

The huge, dead carp and countless other species of fish...bloated & baking in the sun.
Overturned and mud-covered cars...everywhere.
The never-ending carpet of dead, crunchy bugs underfoot after the massive spraying of who-knows-what by planes flying overhead.
The mud...the mud...the mud.
The gut-wrenching odor of a pail of diapers that had been underwater, in a closet in a basement for over two weeks, before I was able to pitch the rest of the piles of debris to get to them.
The absolutely heart-breaking sound of a woman sobbing hysterically as we had to destroy her father's water-logged and unsalvageable Steinway piano.

That sound will never be erased from my memory.

NEVER.

The media free-for-all is only just beginning, and anticipating all the wannabe "experts" that will be popping out of the woodwork for their 15 minutes of fame over the days, weeks and months ahead, I think this blogger will stand aside and leave the coverage of the aftermath to others.

You see - I've "been there, done that" before many of today's "experts" were even born.

Where the rippling Susquehanna gently, slowly winds its way,

stands our dear old Alma Mater...stands forever and for aye.

Loyal sons and daughters greet thee, greet thee dear old GAR.

As we sing our life's last message, sweetest on our lips will be,

Memories of our days in high school...days that live so rich and free...

LOYAL SONS AND DAUGHTERS, PRAISE THEE.

PRAISE THEE DEAR OLD G....A....R.

Later. I've got a date with my dentist this morning.

Toxic Tommy: Tell Us the TRUTH!

2011-09-09T08:47:00.002-04:00

Starting last evening on TV & radio, I heard PA Governor Tom Corbett talk about the Susquehanna's floodwaters being toxic, and deftly inferring that sewage treatment plants along the river were somehow the primary and/or only cause of the toxicity.

For those that visit this blog often, you all know how familiar I am with the north branch of the Susquehanna River, especially what's going on in the areas being exploited by the Marcellus Shale drillers. It is a fact that many of the areas used to transfer and/or store materials (toxic chemicals) used for hydrofracturing were flooded and may still be under several feet of water. Additionally, overland stormwater runoff is laden with everything it flows over, around and under.

Tom Corbett knows that as well.

Folks...don't drink the water, and when things start to dry out, don't breathe the dust. The floodwaters may definitely be contaminated with raw sewage, but the toxicity our good governor speaks of may not be limited to what we flush down our drains and toilets.

Please be safe out there once the waters recede.

Susquehanna Flooding: How many more?

2011-09-09T04:43:00.004-04:00

Photo by Don Williams

My parents survived the floods of 1936, 1972...and thankfully, 2011. I shovelled muck from businesses and homes in the Wyoming Valley during the summer of 1972. From many of the comments online yesterday, it seemed that more than half of those folks weren't even alive when Hurricane Agnes wreaked havoc on the Susquehanna watershed a generation or two ago.

Several of my friends upstream ( near Towanda ) had up to a foot of water on the first floor of their homes, and the water is just starting to recede this morning. In Wilkes-Barre, as of this moment, the levees are holding.

Hold, baby, hold!

There will be thousands of articles about the Susquehanna online today. I'll let folks who write for a living cover this issue.

Another Agnes?

2011-09-08T06:09:00.004-04:00

At 9:04 p.m. last evening, I received a call asking permission to evacuate my father from his assisted-living facility in the Wyoming Valley to higher ground if and when it became necessary.

Permission granted.

An hour or so earlier, I received an e-mail from friends who live along the Susquehanna near Towanda. They indicated their basement would start flooding when the river hit ~27'. The river was at ~~27.22'~~ ~~27.47'~~ 27.69' fifteen minutes ago, and still rising rapidly per the USGS graph below.

90 miles or so downstream, the Susquehanna has already started flooding in areas not protected by the levee system, set to withstand a river level of 41'. They are predicting a crest of ~~38.5'~~ 39.6' as of this writing.

Many areas are bracing for what is now looking like near record flooding.

And even further upstream near the PA/NY border...the Susquehanna continues to approach record levels.

Seriously...13' above flood stage?

I hope all my friends along the Susquehanna stay safe over the next 24-48 hours.

Susquehanna River: Same Old Same Old...

2011-09-07T05:34:00.002-04:00

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

And 39+ years earlier...

Several years ago, I wrote a letter to the editor about flooding, continued development within the Susquehanna's watershed, and the probability of continued high(er) water events. I'm pretty sure it's still online, but don't have time to find it this morning as, once again, I have two sump pumps running to keep my basement ( a.k.a. man cave ) - which we just put back together on Sunday - from getting flooded again.

For those that need to know, my home's foundation sits on bedrock, and when the water hits that, it slows down considerably and starts to pool under my basement slab. Earlier this year, we paid a "dirt specialist" to come in and expand our drainage system and create some new swales to move water away from our home more quickly. I think he'll be getting a call in the next day or two.

Off to check the basement...

Susquehanna River Blessing Ceremony Set

2011-09-05T06:25:00.016-04:00

CANCELLED DUE TO UNSAFE RIVER LEVELS

Next Sunday, 9/11/11, members of the Iroquois Nation will be traveling from upstate NY to Tunkhannock to perform a river thanksgiving/blessing ceremony. After the ceremony, which begins at ~11 a.m. in Tunkhannock's Riverside Park, there will be a short ( ~4 miles ) paddle to a riverside property where the celebration will continue with a potluck lunch.

UPDATE: At the request of the Onondaga Nation, please bring a jug of water from your well or nearby stream to be used in the ceremony.

If you're not interested in paddling, please join us at the riverside ceremony beginning at 11, as well as the potluck feast ( please bring a dish to pass ) afterward. Yes, this event is open to the public.

The location for the potluck lunch is approximately 1 mile once you turn off Rte. 29 South onto Keelersburg Road ( SR 2007 ). I will post more details later this week. As long as you car pool as best you can, there is room for cars to park at this private property right along the river. There will also be a gas grill or two and some picnic tables, etc. No wood-fired brick ovens, though. (Darn!!).

Note: Although a few have inquired, the front seat(s) in my kayak is still open. The kayak can actually fit two adults and one child up to ~10...and if interested, I can make it available for 3 folks to use and bring one of my single kayaks for myself. All I ask is to be shuttled back to Riverside Park when we're done. P.S. -Dogs are welcome in my kayak.

Susquehanna @ Tunkhannock

Original artwork by Paul Barretto - 1998

If you have any questions that can't wait, send me an e-mail at djw444@gmail.com

Enjoy the rest of your day.

And the Mighty Oak Falleth...

2011-09-04T07:57:00.013-04:00

We spent most of yesterday in the once majestic Wyoming Valley of northeastern Pennsylvania. We had a chance to visit all of our parents - which is always time well spent - and there were hedges to be trimmed, grass to be mowed, and pictures to be taken along the way.

Here are but a few of the pics taken:

Above: Civil War Marker in Swoyersville/Luzerne area.

Below: One of the many remnants of the anthracite coal mining industry in the Wyoming Valley. I guesstimate the pile of mining refuse in Swoyersville to be between 125' and 150' high.

Below: A large oak tree was uprooted on River Street in Wilkes-Barre by a lady named Irene.

This building is almost directly across from the Millennium Circle.

Below: Some of the many folks who want to keep the Hotel Sterling from being made into a parking lot just like the historic Old Fell House was just a few city blocks away. I ordered six T-shirts to help spread the word.

Yes...this place does matter. If you want to help, stop by during the times listed below and support the folks who refuse to go quietly into the night and allow another bit of local history and our heritage to be destroyed by a wrecking ball and continued poor decision-making by northeastern PA's elected leaders.

Order a t-shirt...honk your horn...spread the word.

Today's the day we start putting the basement back together.

Later.

Kayak Trip, anyone?

2011-09-03T07:17:00.003-04:00

For anyone interested, the front seat of my tandem kayak is open for the River Blessing trip on Sunday, 9/11/11.

If you're up for an adventure, let me know. I have a few simple requirements:

You have to wear a PFD.
You have to be willing and able to paddle.
You have to have a car for the shuttle to/from Tunkhannock.
You have to bring a dish to the potluck lunch.

I consider the first few miles of the Susquehanna River from Tunkhannock downstream to be among the most scenic sections on the entire north branch.

If you want to reserve your seat...let me know.

Later.

Sunrise @ Tunkhannock - Photo by Don Williams

Susquehanna below Tunkhannock - October 2009

Photo by Don Williams

365 Days and Counting...

2011-09-02T05:58:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Chesapeake Energy's nearby natural gas drilling operations, the Susquehanna River has been bubbling methane in Bradford County near Sugar Run since 09/02/2010.

Thanks to Hurricane Irene, river conditions are not optimal for underwater filming of the still bubbling Susquehanna on the one-year anniversary, so I'll save that trip for another day.

The Susquehanna River is the most endangered river in America, and this is far from over.

Exxon / Russia Deal: Marcellus Shale Included?

2011-08-31T20:40:00.002-04:00

Folks, you might want to check out this article in today' s NY Times. ( Note: The link may be broken by the NYT. If so, go to their main page and search ( upper left ) for Exxon ).

The following quote from the article was of special interest:

"Where BP had planned to swap stock, Exxon, which is based in Texas, agreed to give Rosneft assets elsewhere in the world, including some that Exxon owns in the deepwater zones of the Gulf of Mexico and on land in Texas."

And this one:

"Under the new agreement, the state-owned Rosneft could become a part-owner of drilling operations in the United States. Those operations could include two of the industry’s most contentious oil extraction methods — drilling for oil in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico and using the so-called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, technique on land. The Russians want to learn about both types of drilling for use at home."

I don't know what a shot & a beer tastes like in Bradford and surrounding counties, but I'm guessing folks in the Endless Mountains region should start acquiring a taste for Stolichnaya vodka.

Nazdarovya, Comrades!

Corbett Noshes in Tunkhannock

2011-08-31T06:03:00.002-04:00

I find it amazing that PA Governor Tom Corbett went out of his way to keep his paddling schedule under wraps so that he could avoid being confronted by environmentalists ( a/k/a fellow Pennsylvanians ) as he traveled for three days on the Susquehanna recently, yet had plenty of time to nosh with representatives from the natural gas and supporting industries in Tunkhannock. Now in order to get all those folks together, there had to be some advance discussions and planning...don't you think?

Read more here.

Be it waters from our Class A trout streams or natural gas that's been locked underground for 300 million years, Tom Corbett and his entire cabinet are 100% in the corner of the unrestricted exploitation of our natural resources, regardless of the long-term environmental and social consequences.

How evil is Tom Corbett? I believe the answer is beyond our comprehension...

Fracking & Earthquakes?

2011-08-30T06:18:00.001-04:00

Nahhh. Or perhaps...

Gotta be a brief post this morning. Had to undo a major printer snafu to get my better half ready for an early meeting.

Check out this article for some additional insight into a topic we will definitely be hearing more about in the not-too-distant future as more wells are drilled and more bedrock is fractured.

Enjoy your day.

Citizens Marcellus Shale Commission Schedules Hearings

2011-08-29T05:56:00.002-04:00

Folks, you should do everything possible to attend these hearings ...and let 'er rip.

I wonder...why is nothing scheduled in Wilkes-Barre or Tunkhannock?

Later folks. Back to yerk today.

IRENE: Man vs. Nature - Part II

2011-08-28T11:32:00.000-04:00

I guess it's somewhat unrealistic for me to have expected our sump pumps to keep up with 10" of rain in a ~12 hour period...because that's what we ended up getting from Hurricane Irene in H-ville USA.

Here are some before and after shots of my impromptu wind-proof rain gauge I set up yesterday afternoon in my side yard:

And about 12 hours later. That's a lot of rain.

Anyway, I picked up three floor fans and a 2nd dehumidifier for our basement this morning, plus some other side trips that will be good fodder for a future post.

Here's a shot of Skippack Creek this morning. It's normally about an inch or two deep and two or three feet wide at the most.

I've got five fans pushing air and two 50 pint dehumidifiers running full tilt right now in my basement. The water in my sump pit is about 4" deep and dropping. I slept about 2 hours in the past 24...so it's crash and burn time.

Toodles...

IRENE: Man vs. Nature...

2011-08-28T06:27:00.008-04:00

...and although it isn't over yet, Irene is way ahead at this point.

Looks like there's going to be some record flooding all over southeastern PA.

We're probably an inch away from being able to float a kayak in our finished ( in many senses ) basement, and we've got a very long day ahead of us. Fortunately, we spent several hours getting furniture up on bricks, electronic equipment high and ( for now ) dry, and moving everything that could get soggy off the floor.

As far as I can tell, the water is still rising, albeit slowly. I've had two sump pumps running since ~11 p.m. last night. Damn the geology of my neck of the woods. I'll save blaming the natural gas industry for another day, but I'll have to make something up first...just like they do every day.

Hey Nicole J., ...any ideas?

Anyway, all life on earth depends on water, and I definitely have more than my fair share in my basement this morning. If you BYOSP ( sump pump ), you can have all you want - for FREE.

Be back in a few days.

P.S. - I will finish my thoughts on yesterday's "Energy Anomaly" post as soon as I can, as I truly believe the Marcellus Shale hydrofracturing frenzy has negatively disrupted the heretofore harmonious karma of the once peaceful Endless Mountains region.

Marcellus Energy Anomaly Attracting Irene?

2011-08-27T08:18:00.018-04:00

Folks, before I begin to lay out my hypothesis here, please take a few minutes to take a very brief physics and science refresher course about matter and energy. Click on this link, then scroll down to the "what is energy" (2nd) link for a .ppt presentation. Once you're done, stop back for the rest of my caffeine-fueled thoughts on this "pre-Irene" Saturday morning.

Okay. Now that you're almost ready...please consider the following well-known ( and correct version ) quote from John Muir:

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."

Okay...now just for a moment, close your eyes and open your mind:

Matter is energy.

Magnetism is energy.

Radioactivity is energy.

Hurricane Irene is a massive counter-clockwise whirling vortex of concentrated energy.

And opposites attract.

***Postus Interruptus***

I've just been advised that I've been drafted to go outside and clean the gutters and move all the deck furniture into the garage...among other "husbandly" duties in preparation for the arrival of a tempest named Irene.

I'll be back at some point today.