Gaping Fracking Loopholes Usher in Reckless New Development

How close is too close?  How about 40 feet downwind?  That is the approximate distance between this newly constructed office building to an existing Chesapeake operated drill site in Arlington, Texas.   How did the developer manage to get this done when the City's gas drilling ordinance mandates a setback distance of 600 feet from the drill zone to a protected use, unless of course a waiver is obtained which happens quite frequently?  We have learned that not only in Arlington, but also in adjacent cities, that this rule applies only for existing housing developments, hospitals, schools, daycare facilities, etc.  Apparently, most Texas municipalities believe that the "Rights" of a private property owner supersede the health and safety of those individuals who will be faced with living, going to work or conducting business near these locations.  

Newly constructed medical office building adjacent to the Rocking Horse Gas Drill Site located near the intersection of South Collins Street  and Caplin Drive in Arlington, TX.

This Moat-like frac pond used to be where the newly constructed medical office building is now located.  We hope they tamped down the soil well enough.  Arlington's Mayor and the developer wanted Chesapeake to remove the frac pond in order to develop that land.  Click here to see that Epic City Council  meeting where Mayor Cluck tells Charles Davis of Chesapeake that they can drill 80 wells there if they want to.  (Mr. Davis is no longer employed by Chesapeake.)

From the side door to the retaining wall we counted 25 footsteps which equates to roughly 21 feet!  We did not measure the additional few feet from the edge of the wall to the edge of the padside, but it appears to be less than 20 feet. 

• A 600 foot setback is far from being protective; however, if this setback applies to existing developments, it should also apply for future ones.  Otherwise, we just have another gaping loophole big enough for a Mack truck to drive through.  Just because something is legal doesn't make it morally right.  Where are all the right-wing Christian legislators when we need them most?

Pick Pikulinski for Mayor of Arlington, Texas

Early voting is Monday April 29 through Tuesday May 7, 2013.

Election Day is Saturday, May 11, 2013

Together we can and will:

• Improve the City's management of gas well LOCATIONS especially in residential areas.
• Re-focus our funding priorities in street repairs and maintenance projects.
• Give residents a stronger voice at City Council meetings. 
• Control and reduce "pack & stack" high-density mixed-use housing.
• Reach out to community and small business groups for planning and zoning priorities.
• Reduce the rising cost of fees with water, trash and other city services.
• Ensure public safety by building stronger neighborhood communities.

 

This is raw footage of the City of Arlington under Mayor Cluck's leadership.  

Is this the kind of place to live and raise a family?

Thank you for voting! 

YOUR VOTE MATTERS!!!

Click here to view early voting times and locations.

Click here to view May 11th polling locations. 

Pluck Cluck. Pick Pikulinski for Arlington, Texas Mayor

  It was a pretty day on Saturday.  After our Fish Creek Community Garden gathering, some neighbors set out on a block walk  because the local elections are just around the corner.  Many people were out in their front yards, so we had the opportunity to meet and talk with a bunch of residents and listen to their concerns.  We learned that public opinion is one hundred percent unanimous on the gas drilling issue ~ citizens are disgusted with the industrialization of their residential neighborhoods. 

There are quite a few homes up for sale ~ several back up to the Fulson Drill Site.  Hmmm...  

One mother in the gas patch shared her story.  After the drilling frenzy began in southeast Arlington,  her daughter was diagnosed with leukemia.  She was so ill that she missed the entire 8th grade while undergoing treatment.  The mom believes that the drilling activity was responsible for her daughter's illness, and she also complained about frequent gas odors on her property.  While the doctor did not definitively confirm that the drilling activity caused the disease,  he did not deny it either.  Fortunately, her daughter is in remission now,  but she shared that other neighbors in the area are also suffering health issues. 
 
These types of stories seem to be commonplace in the gas patch.  Approximately two years ago we met a middle-aged man who was diagnosed with terminal bone marrow cancer.  At that time, he lived in close proximity to the Fulson Drill Site.  His doctor asked if he had been exposed to benzene.  If anyone in the Fish Creek Neighborhood has an update on this gentleman,  please contact us via e-mail. 

During the early part of 2013 we met a young widower  who lives next to the Rocking Horse drill site.  His wife passed away suddenly after Chesapeake drilled a well a little over 400 feet from their back door.  

People purchase homes in  residential neighborhoods because they expect to enjoy a good quality of life.   If they wanted to live in an industrial zone, they  would have purchased a home in an industrial zone.  Now ALL Arlington, TX homeowners are at risk because their communities can be turned into drilling zones at any given moment.  This is  now possible because on October 23, 2007 the Arlington, TX City Council  changed the zoning ordinance to allow gas drilling in residential neighborhoods.  When you link over to that blog post, notice that Mayor Cluck was absent that night, and  District 3 Councilman Robert Rivera seconded the motion to approve this monumental change that would transform our city into a gas mining town dotted with drill sites, compressor stations, and dangerous gas pipelines transporting UNodorized gas past our homes, schools, and parks.

There is hope.  Election day is May 11th.  We desperately need to stop the build out of gas wells and revise the City's gas drilling ordinance.  Jerry Pikulinski is committed to doing just that.  He understands community development and zoning priorities  ~ something our officials of local municipalities make decisions about on a regular basis.  If elected, he will also ensure public safety and build strong community while giving every citizen a voice. 

Click HERE to check out Jerry Pikulinski's Facebook page. 

PLUCK CLUCK,  

PICK PIKULINSKI 

for Arlington, TX Mayor!!  

REMEMBER TO VOTE!

  

For voting information, click HERE.

The History of Fracking in Residential Neighborhoods in Arlington, Texas

Back in '08 the landmen said, "You'll never know we're here...We'll be miles away..." 

Here's what it looks like today: 

Click Here

And so, the history of fracking in residential neighborhoods in Arlington, Texas began on October 23, 2007 with this unanimous vote:

Hmmm...only 8 total votes.  Shouldn't there be nine?  
Let's check the attendance.

It was a lovely dance, but we wonder if Mayor Cluck sat this one out because it was a tad controversial?

Just How Temporary Are Those Frac Ponds?

Did Mayor Cluck really tell Charles Davis of Chesapeake to, "go ahead and drill 80 wells if you want to"?  {on the Rocking Horse Pad Site }  Yes, he did ~ as long as they can find a different water source because he wants them to take that frac tank [sic] out.  We can't blame the developer for wanting that frac pond removed because as long as that pond sits there, he cannot develop his property.

These ponds are temporary. 

     Definition of temporary: not permanent; a short period of time.  

So, the question is:  Who gets to define temporary?  It has been two years, and only one well out of a dozen or so have been drilled.  At this rate, the temporary frac pond will need to remain for an additional 22 years!  

(June 5, 2012 Arlington City Council Public Hearing - Rocking Horse Well)

(We wonder what brand of gum XTO's Walter Dueease is chewing?)

Now let's talk about the water.  Last summer ~ during the intense Texas drought when residents were asked to conserve ~ water was being transported via an elaborate pipeline highway which stretched under Interstate 20 from a mega church's pond  and reached its final destination at the I-20 JV Drill Site adjacent to Bowie High School.  Click here to see those photos and story from last summer.  

Whew.  It was a really hot summer!

IMPORTANT UPDATE:

It has come to our attention that  today, June 29th is Charles Davis' last day of employment with Chesapeake.  We would like to share his farewell letter with you:

"It is with great sadness to inform you that my last day with Chesapeake will be this Friday, June 29. Every one of you has played a vital role in my development at Chesapeake Energy and within your community. Thank you for always having an open door.

Even though my last day with Chesapeake is this week, please rest assured that you will continue to have access to information regarding the company's operations. If you or your neighbors have any questions regarding your lease, royalty payments, status of operations at a wellsite, or are just curious about future plans, our Neighbor Relations team remains ready to answer those questions. They can be reached at askchesapeake@chk.com or by calling 817.502.5000.

Truly, I will miss you all, and thankful to our digital world we are only an e-mail.[sic] So as I hang my Chesapeake hat on the door, I would like to say "ciao" for now. I am sure our paths will cross again, and I will forever remain appreciative for our business relationship."

Sincerely,
Charles Davis

Broken Promises: Fulson Drill Site

Notice that when the June 23, 2009 public hearing for the Fulson Gas Drill Site begins no one bothers to correct Mayor Cluck's blunder announcing Glory Park as the item being discussed.   No one is paying attention - not even the City Manager.   

Although this proposed drill site on South Highway 360 near Sublett Road is in Robert Rivera's district, notice how he doesn't even ask a single question about turning this prime piece of real estate into heavy industrial use.

Sheri Capehart, however asks good questions.  She asks Chesapeake's Public Affairs Coordinator, Sarah Griffis, how long it will be until residents receive their royalty checks.  Ms. Griffis  indicated  it would be six months to one year.  It's a good thing it's not written in stone!   That Fulson well began production in February 2011 and we still have not received royalty money.   Word has it that some lessors are just now beginning to receive division orders.    Here is a copy of  e-mail correspondence from May 10, 2012 between a Fish Creek Neighbor and Chesapeake:

Nature of Inquiry: Regarding the Fulson Well 1H Lease No. 259101 which has begun producing as of 2/16/11, has this gas been sold at market?... Why have the mineral owners not been paid royalties yet?

Hi:

Thank you for contacting Chesapeake Energy. The title opinions for the Fulson unit are still not yet complete. The division orders were due to be distributed at the end of June 2011. After this date, due to the delay, we will pay interest (2% over prime) on the revenue which will be passed onto the royalty owners on their second royalty check...

Marissa Gibbs

Notice how Chesapeake is not paying the penalty on the first check.  Why not?? 

In addition, this site plan was to include evergreen trees along the east perimeter of the pad site to hide all the horrible things that would be going on in there.  They all died.

We are still waiting for those seven or eight prime tracts of land to be developed as Cliff Mycoskie mentions in his speech, but let's get real.  That's just not going to happen.  Who in their right mind would want to develop land on the back side of a gas pad?  Plus, there are gas gathering lines snaking all over the place.  More about that topic later...

Sarah Griffis states that Chesapeake has an aggressive drilling plan for that site with the first six wells being drilled within the first 15 months.  Thank God that did not happen because it was sheer torture living through three.  Many nearby residents were complaining of health issues during the drilling of the first wells, and we have good reason to believe their symptoms were directly related to Chesapeake's industrial activity taking place in such close proximity to our homes and schools.  In addition to the health effects, we heard that two neighbors downwind from that pad site died in February 2011.   

With one sweeping vote on the night of June 23, 2009 our Arlington City Council turned our community into an industrial zone.  This decision has already had serious repercussions, and  folks, it's not going to get better anytime soon.  If we only knew then what we know now...     

We Overcame

Overcoming Faith Drill Site

If you will recall from the February 21 Arlington, TX Council Meeting, three councilwomen voted in unison against the ordinance change for the Overcoming Faith Drill Site.  The vote was 4-3.  Despite the fact that they did not have a 3/4 super majority vote, that item appeared on the March 6 consent agenda.  Here is the city's web page defining the meeting process:

During the March 6 council meeting Councilman Robert Shepard motioned to remove and table SUP 11-13 Overcoming Faith Drill Site from the consent agenda.  That was a wise thing to do since this remains a controversial issue.


Fire Department's Operational Permit Fee

Mayor Cluck reported that last Friday's meeting with the drillers was unpleasant.  There was tension in the room, a feeling of distrust, and some were bordering on disrespect towards the Fire Chief.  He stated that the drillers would be happy with it off the consent agenda and into the trash.  The City also received a letter from the Chamber of Commerce stating that they were not in favor of these fees. The Mayor said he was willing to have another meeting with the same people in two weeks.

Something changed his mind, however, between the afternoon and evening meeting, because this consent agenda item was unanimously approved.  We appreciate his stand of courage to do what is in the best interest of public safety despite industry pressure and opposition.

Several speakers were in favor of putting this plan into motion without delay due to the catastrophic nature of heavy industrial mining in densely populated areas.

Jim Tidwell, a retired firefighter, and currently a consultant representing Chesapeake, blew it when he went to the mic.  He stated to the council that, "this could become more adversarial than is necessary."  The Mayor seemed to have perceived his statement as a threat.  Bad move.  Where was Laura Patton?

For those who missed the meetings, the evening session may be viewed by clicking HERE, and the afternoon session may be viewed HERE.


Thank you Arlington City Council.