Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD)
Air Quality
Green Building
Land Usage
Protect Laurel Highland View shed
Recycling
Water Quality
Mission Statement: Foster and support collaborative efforts of public and private organizations to protect and preserve the quality of Fayette County’s unique environment. A high quality environment with clean air and water, and smart land use practices all contribute to the overall quality of life of Fayette County residents and support economic development opportunities that capitalize on protecting the natural resources of the County. These resources should be protected and preserved for future generations to celebrate and enjoy.
Community Meetings Project Ideas:
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County can create database to identify water quality testing in Fayette Watershed areas. This can be used as an educational tool to gain support to clean creeks/rivers. (Brownsville)
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Develop a Watershed Program/Group Participation Program. (Brownsville)
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We need recycling programs in Bullskin areas.
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Do not waste water resources in Bullskin areas.
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Create special Quarry Classification, Quarry only in existing areas, reasonable acreage around the quarry; review harms/benefits of mining quarries. (Bullskin)
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Create special Quarry Classification, Quarries in an agriculture area by variance not exception. (Bullskin)
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Create special Quarry Classification, Health issues in the immediate area. (Bullskin)
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Preserve the beauty of our countrywide. (Bullskin)
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Make available good quality water for all to use. (Bullskin)
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Need better waste water treatment for the deep gas wells. (Bullskin)
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Need additional wildlife protection. (Bullskin)
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Land usage – preserve the farm land. (Bullskin)
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Continue to focus on air quality in Bullskin.
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Create Land Usage projects that are for the benefit of all who live in Bullskin.
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Ensure good quality of water for all. (Bullskin)
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We need more recycling centers available. (Vanderbilt)
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Keep river clean, after heavy rains, garbage flows down the river – clean off the banks. (Connellsville)
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Protect river for Fayette County and for entertainment of residents and visitors. (Connellsville)
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We need to do more recycling-more publicity. (Connellsville)
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Get involved with Green Buildings-reuse buildings. (Connellsville)
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Land usage - develop the water front areas. (Connellsville)
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Concerned with water quality and quantity. (Connellsville)
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We need more street trees and native plants. (Connellsville)
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We need to place power lines under ground - do at the same time as providing broadband service or new sewer/water lines. (Connellsville)
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Litter free streets, parks, rivers, etc. (Connellsville)
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Minimize/eliminate vehicle idling. (Connellsville)
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Perfect areas where the bike trail enters. (Dunbar)
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We need a planting program – garden club with the scouts and other residents. (Dunbar)
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Initiate more “Green Building” ideas in Dunbar.
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Careful/Controlled Exploration of Marcellus Shale. (Fairchance)
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Increase opportunities for more Green Building technology in Fairchance.
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Careful and planned community development. (Fairchance)
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Encourage additional Recycling Programs. (Fairchance)
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Develop comprehensive local land usage plan. (Fairchance)
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I would like to see everyone have usable water. (Farmington)
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Trans cans placed at different locations to recycle. (Farmington)
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More strict enforcement of coal mining. (Farmington)
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I’d like to see more outside furnaces used in this area. (Farmington)
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We desire a clean Mon River. (Masontown)
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Assure that there isn’t any negative impact on the water supply from marcellus shade drilling or from deposits from the power plant.
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Would like to see Green Areas. (Menallen)
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Land usage – tax stone quarry-timber-strip mines and gas wells. (Normalville/Mill Run)
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Increase number of animal waste receptacles in town and the park. (Perryopolis)
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Green Building – we need a signature project in the Borough of Perryopolis.
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Clean up acid mine drainage near the park. (Perryopolis)
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Maintain cleanliness along the river. Organize river sweeps in Pt. Marion.
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Work with Ft. Martin and Longview to make sure our water quality meets quality standards in the Pt. Marion areas.
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We need zoning to protect the environment. (Uniontown)
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We need public awareness of environmental concerns. (Uniontown)
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Litter control/clean up area, get community involved. (Uniontown)
Do not forget to submit ideas and comments in (Leave a Reply).
Zimmerlink putting together gas drilling task force
June 29, 2010 01:36 AM
By: THE HERALD-STANDARD
Herald Standard
Fayette County Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink is moving ahead with forming a county task force on Marcellus shale natural gas drilling after all.
Zimmerlink said Monday she is seeking members to serve on subcommittees.
Zimmerlink said, “There is no doubt the Marcellus shale gas exploration has both positive and negative impacts on Fayette County… it is evident that there is a need for coordination and communication among the gas industry, local governments, businesses and the public, and this task force will serve as a community tool to manage this process.”
The Marcellus shale geologic formation contains one of the largest mostly untapped reserves of natural gas in the United States. It underlies significant portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York and smaller portions of Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky.
Interest in developing Marcellus shale has increased because recent improvements in natural gas extraction technology and high energy prices now make recovering the gas more profitable, the federal Environmental Protection Agency said.
Eleven counties in Pennsylvania with active Marcellus shale drilling have formed task forces and many were initiated and sanctioned by their perspective county commissioners, Zimmerlink said.
“While it is unfortunate that I could not garner a second vote by either of my fellow commissioners to form a county government task force, I recognize the public needs and have initiated the forming of a community-based task force,” said Zimmerlink.
During the public comment period at Thursday’s commissioners’ meeting, Ralph Mazza of Franklin Township voiced his opinion that Zimmerlink’s suggestion months ago to form a task force on Marcellus shale should not have been ignored. The meeting also included discussion on water quality related to natural gas drilling and the potential damage trucks might cause to roads in the county.
Commission Chairman Vincent Zapotosky responded Thursday in saying either state or federal agencies oversees natural gas wells, not county leaders. He said the EPA or state Department of Environmental Protection are charged with enforcing such regulations.
In her press release Monday, Zimmerlink said the task force’s mission, focus and approach would mirror existing county task forces in the state and would draw on university publications for added guidance.
Zimmerlink stated, “The mission is to identify key issues, research facts and information, provide public education; and propose public policy regarding the economic, environmental and community impact of the oil and gas exploration and related topics of the Marcellus shale in Fayette County in a proactive, not reactive manner.”
She added that the public should participate in the process of seizing the economic opportunities presented by Marcellus shale drilling while protecting the environment.
She said the task force subcommittees would focus on eight areas: workforce, public safety, planning, public education, environment, economic development, local impacts and legislation.
“Information will be disseminated through public presentations, public meetings and a website which is under development,” said Zimmerlink.
The task force will look at the Marcellus shale activity in Fayette County and include groups such the business community, environmental concerns, municipalities and the public.
Zimmerlink said she has contacted stakeholders requesting them to join a subcommittee and she asks anyone who wishes to join or to learn more about the task force to contact her at 724-430-1200, extension 225, or personally at her office or by email at zimmerlink@mshaletaskforce.org.
Herald Standard, June 30, 2010
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded $4,964,534 to Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC) in Youngwood for community-based job training in the natural gas drilling and production industry.
“The development of gas drilling in Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale fields is expected to create thousands of skilled jobs,” said Casey.
“It is vital to support programs such as WCCC’s gas drilling training program to ensure that Pennsylvanians can be prepared for these jobs.”
“The Community-Based Job Training Grants will provide the opportunity to develop a sustainable, industry-driven workforce training network for gas workers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and New York,” said Dr. Daniel J. Obara, President of Westmoreland County Community College.
“Westmoreland County Community College is pleased to work with Pennsylvania College of Technology and the Workforce Investment Boards and CareerLinks to develop and implement this job training program that will meet the needs of employers in the Marcellus Shale industry and position dislocated, unemployed and underemployed workers for family sustaining jobs in the region.”
This funding will create a comprehensive recruitment, training, placement and retention program for occupations in the natural gas drilling and production industry.
WCCC will be working with Pennsylvania College of Technology, along with West Virginia Northern Community College, Eastern Gateway Community College (Ohio) and Broome Community College (New York) to coordinate training programs throughout the region.
WCCC is also working closely to incorporate labor unions during the development of the comprehensive training programs.
The funding is available through the DOL Employment and Training Administration’s Community-Based Job Training Grant program.
WCCC is one of 41 community colleges and organizations receiving a portion of $125 million announced Tuesday.
Casey sent a letter to DOL Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Brian Kennedy asking him to consider WCCC’s application for a community-based Job Training Grant.
In the letter announcing the funding, Casey emphasized the need for a highly trained and educated workforce in Pennsylvania’s emerging Marcellus Shale drilling industry.
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