Rock Run Concerns Continue

Some of the meeting's attendees.

by Morgan Myers

Communications and Outreach Director

TROUT RUN - The Lycoming Creek Watershed
Association held a meeting Tuesday to voice concerns about Anadarko's purchase of mineral rights in the Clarence Moore tract. The acreage in question includes the Exceptional Value Rock Run, the Devils Elbow Natural Area, a 27-mile circular hiking trail known as Old Loggers Path, the Masten Ghost Town and lands that drain into headwaters of Pleasant Stream, Slacks Run, Salt Run, Wallis Run, and Mill Creek.

"Trust me, I understand your concerns," said PA State Rep. Garth Everett at the meeting. "I agree this is a sensitive and beautiful area."

Garth Everett PA State Rep, 84th Dist.

Anadarko and DCNR declined invitations to attend, but Representative Everett relayed their public point of view.

"I sat down with Anadarko. Anadarko feels they have the right to the Clarence Moore tract, but at this time they're quite busy just keeping up with the leases they already have," said Everett. "They have no concrete plans to develop Clarence Moore right now."

Everett recapped a conversation he had earlier that day with DCNR Secretary Richard Allan. "He was very aware of the situation. [Secretary Allan] said there's a lot of heat being generated, but right now there's been no application by Anadarko to DCNR to do any development in the Clarence Moore tract."

Everett went on to add that "the court of public opinion" may be the reason why Anadarko has not yet submitted an application to DCNR.

"Anadarko, in my experience, has been a good company. They're here to drill gas and make money, but they like to say they're good corporate citizens," said Everett. "That doesn't mean a truck won't fall over that has chemicals in it on Pleasant Stream Road or Rock Run Road. That's the danger: the accidental, not the intentional."

Jason Detar Fish and Boat Commission

Jason Detar, Fish and Boat Commission's North Central Fisheries Manager, spoke about the importance of protective regulation for streams that support native fish.

"Pleasant Stream and Rock Run both support wild trout populations," said Detar. "Any wetlands associated with streams essential to the natural reproduction of wild trout get upgraded to 'Exceptional Value' status. Those wetlands receive maximum protection because of their importance in maintaining water quality in the streams themselves."

However, a wetland's "Exceptional Value" designation does not guarantee it won't be developed.

"We have a proactive role and a reactive role," said Detar. "From a proactive standpoint, we can go out and assess our resources so that we can provide as much protection to them as the regulations allow. From a reactive standpoint, we can provide comment on permits to DEP."

Whether DEP heeds Fish & Boat Commission advice when making permit decisions is beyond the latter's authority.

"There's a basic conflict because any company is going to want to optimize their resource area," said RDA President Ralph Kisberg. "That means a certain perfect placement of well pads and laterals. So the question is: what will DCNR let [Anadarko] get away with?"

Ralph Kisberg Responsible Drilling Alliance

"Anadarko owns their half of these rights in perpetuity; What's the big hurry?" said Kisberg. "Maybe in the future they'll be able to run laterals from private land without disturbing the surface at all."

As for the present, many remain concerned about the cultural and environmental degradation posed by the possibility of Clarence Moore tract development. Responsible Drilling Alliance, along with environmental organizations across the state, have asked DCNR and Anadarko to include the public in any conversations about Clarence Moore. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Over 2,600 e-mails have been written to DCNR Secretary Allan so far. We must keep the momentum going. Please help Keep It Wild in the Loyalsock State Forest by the taking action described below.