[Green] Regarding the barge docking facility south of Marietta...

Thu May 28 19:32:48 CDT 2020

Thanks, Vic. Very helpful.

---- Vic Elam <elamva4 at gmail.com> wrote: 
> The statement that the liquid is harmless brine in and of itself is
> erroneous.  Brine if mixed in an aquifer with a municipal water supply
> would be disastrous.  Brine, if spilled into the Ohio River would
> contaminate the water supply for millions and result in major damage to
> wildlife resources.  Sure after considerable dilution in the river, the
> impact of a spill into the river may not have significant impact to
> downriver water users, but is that the right way to look at it?  How many
> of these transgressions do we need to tolerate before we realize that the
> cumulative impact is disastrous.
> 
> Furthermore the comment that 99% or the liquid is water is foolishness as
> well.  Pesticide mixes often use active ingredient rates of less than 1%,
> and that's how I can put things in perspective.
> 
> Just saying,
> 
> Vic
> 
> On Thu, May 28, 2020 at 9:51 AM gbanz42--- via Green <green at fuusm.org>
> wrote:
> 
> > Thanks, Darryl.
> >
> > Good idea to call   Senator Sherrod Brown's office.
> >
> > There was an article in yesterday's Marietta Times where the director of
> > public relations, Mike Chadsey,  of the Ohio & Gas industry was quoted as
> > saying those with concerns about this issue  are "confused" and that the
> > material to be unloaded at this facility is harmless brine. He also noted
> > that 99% of this material is water--however, we're not talking about
> > teaspoons of chemicals here. There are gallons of chemicals like the ones
> > that Darryl cited in his letter.
> >
> > I am trying to find out exactly what the application for the project says
> > about what material is to be offloaded.
> >
> > This is a common approach from industry advocates like Mr. Chadsey. They
> > try to characterize those with concerns as alarmists, naive, uninformed and
> > confused. Since I was referenced in the article as one of the "confused," I
> > think I'll have to respond.
> >
> > I would welcome advice from other Green Sanctuary people about what to say
> > in my letter.
> >
> > I'll try to be diplomatic and say that I am thankful for Mr. Chadsey's
> > report because it is the first light that has been cast in this area about
> > this project.
> >
> >
> > ---- Darryl Ting via Green <green at fuusm.org> wrote:
> > > Fellow Greenies,
> > > I suggest a more leveraged approach would be to call our OH senator
> > Jarred
> > > Brown and request his help in contacting the USACE to reject the permit.
> > > Senators have a lot of weight in the regulatory process.  His office
> > > staffers will usually follow up for more details.  I called in early May
> > > and got a recording.  Left a message but got no call back.  Maybe if more
> > > of us called.
> > > Darryl
> > >
> > > On Fri, May 22, 2020 at 11:18 AM Dawn Hewitt via Green <green at fuusm.org>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > > > Good morning, Green friends,
> > > >
> > > > I got a call back this morning from Kayla Adkins at the Huntington, WV,
> > > > office of the Army Corps of Engineers.
> > > >
> > > > Yesterday, I called the Army Corps in Washington, D.C. regarding permit
> > > > LRH2020293OHR, the request to build a barge-docking facility south of
> > > > Marietta, where fracking waste would be transferred from barges to
> > trucks
> > > > for disposal locally. I left a voice message asking whether the public
> > > > comment period had been extended beyond May 6, and whether our request
> > for
> > > > a public hearing had been granted.
> > > >
> > > > Ms. Adkins said the possibility of a public hearing was still being
> > > > discussed. (I expressed gratitude and support.) She said the public
> > comment
> > > > period was NOT extended. However, and I’m coming close to quoting here:
> > > > “Any further comments she receives about the project will be considered
> > > > during their continuing evaluation, a different phase of the permitting
> > > > process.” I asked her if that meant I should submit another letter,
> > and she
> > > > said no—not if it says the same thing as my first letter. But if I
> > have new
> > > > or additional insights, information, or thoughts about the project, I
> > > > should send them to her for consideration and inclusion, and those who
> > have
> > > > not commented are welcome to email her, as well.
> > > >
> > > > So, like, even though the public comment period is closed, she told me
> > > > that they’re still accepting public comment. Go figure.
> > > >
> > > > She also said that she had received “a lot” of comments about the
> > project.
> > > >
> > > > After our phone conversation, she emailed me (to make sure I had her
> > email
> > > > address). Here’s what she said—along with her email address:
> > > >
> > > > **
> > > >
> > > > Good morning,
> > > >
> > > > Here is my email address again so it is fresh in your inbox. If you
> > have
> > > > any additional concerns about the proposal you may send them to my
> > > > attention at this email address. We will inform those that submitted
> > > > comments during the public notice comment period once a decision is
> > made
> > > > about the request for a public hearing.
> > > >
> > > > Thank you,
> > > >
> > > > Kayla N. Adkins
> > > > Regulatory Project Manager
> > > > North Branch
> > > > U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
> > > > Huntington District
> > > > 502 8th Street
> > > > Huntington, WV 25701
> > > > 304-399-5850
> > > > 304-399-5085 (fax)
> > > > Kayla.N.Adkins at usace.army.mil
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ***
> > > >
> > > > So, if you haven’t already written to her with your comments about the
> > > > fracking-waste-barge offloading facility, now is your chance!  Or if
> > you
> > > > have, but you’d like to give her and her colleagues even more reasons
> > why
> > > > this is not desirable for our community, please email her soon!
> > > >
> > > > I asked her for a cut-off date, when she would no longer accept public
> > > > comments, but she said that date was not set. I inferred that she would
> > > > accept them until they have their meeting to make a decision on a
> > public
> > > > hearing, or maybe until they meet to discuss whether to permit this
> > > > facility. Whatever, I would encourage anyone inclined to write to DO SO
> > > > SOON!!!
> > > >
> > > > —dawn. who would be working
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Green mailing list
> > > > Green at fuusm.org
> > > > http://fuusm.org/mailman/listinfo/green_fuusm.org
> > > >
> >
> > --
> > George Banziger
> > 202 Lawton Road
> > Marietta, OH 45750-1111
> > 740-434-5685
> > cell: 740-434-3354
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Green mailing list
> > Green at fuusm.org
> > http://fuusm.org/mailman/listinfo/green_fuusm.org
> >

--
George Banziger
202 Lawton Road
Marietta, OH 45750-1111
740-434-5685
cell: 740-434-3354