Learn Before You Sign!

Natural Gas/Oil Mining: Hydraulic Fracturing & Horizontal Drilling

While some form of hydraulic fracturing has been used in Michigan for thirty years the latest process of horizontal deep-methane extraction is a new technology less than six years old.
Most wells produce both oil and natural gas as well as brine which is a by-product of oil and gas production. Even oil/gas industry advocates like MSUEs Curtis Talley warn Leases are by the company and for the company.. IF YOU DON'T WANT DRILLING ON YOUR LAND, DON'T SIGN " The leases can also entitle companies to industrial surface facilities, truck emissions and traffic, compressor stations, seismic damages and disposal wells in rural and residential areas (which can impact and devalue property as well as life and health, and return NO ROYALTIES) And that is with "safe practice" which is not guaranteed, the only protection for the environment and for us.. IS US !

Jordan Development (West Bay Group Supervisor of Wells Order, Cause 18-2007, p2, footnote 1) working together with West Bay, operate 500+ wells in Michigan, most are gas producing wells. In 2008 the US Dept of Energy credits Jordan with developing a new well design for hydraulic fracturing & horizontal drilling for areas previously off-limits due to topography, wetlands or housing (An Approach to Recover Hydrocarbons from Currently Off-Limit Areas of the Antrim Formation, MI
Using Low-Impact Technologies: Final Report & LINGO Antrim Play: Handbook)

In partnership with West Bay, Jordan is leasing all available mineral rights in Oakland County including: Holly Rec, Highland Rec, Pontiac Lake Rec, Proud Lake Rec, many other parks, municipal properties and private land.
MDEQ has employed 25 people to cover 17,000+ oil and gas wells across the State. MDEQ Geologist Bill Mitchell said they rely on the industry to clean up after themselves and there is no evidence of contamination.. But such details were once available, as noted by the Lake Michigan Federation reports: http://www.greatlakes.org/Document.Doc?id=213 & http://www.greatlakes.org/Document.Doc?id=214 Residents of Oakland County have commented: Looking for oil in a township where ALL of the area is either a lake, a floodplain for the river and/or is directly posted as a Wellhead Protection Area is insane. Any screw up would directly impact our ability to produce clean drinking water. I live behind Mott and have the woods behind my house and love it. I dont like the Idea of an oil well in my back yard and I dont think my neighbors will either. I have Fox, Deer, Coyote, you name it we have it in our back yards, this is why I moved from Royal Oak to Waterford and once again Big Business (Jordan Development Company, LLC) wants to clear cut our backyards. I truly hope the Township Board of Trustees thinks this one through for the residents sake and not for the $$$$$$$. Waterford officials outlined some concerns regarding the companys proposed lease document, including Jordan Developments authority to clear-cut trees and install roads, pumping facilities, or storage facilities on township-owned property. The township initially had concerns about how drilling could impact the water supply, but officials no longer see that as an issue given state Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) mandates.

James Olson, a lawyer who specializes environmental law spoke at a public meeting in Yankee Springs Township, Barry County, voicing his concern at, the failure of the DEQ to order and to enforce clean-up provisions. He cited the case of an organic farmer whose certification was revoked because of the presence of crude oil. It took a court case to force the DEQ to do the clean-up that was required. The DEQ should be

required to insist upon a development plan. The MDEQ & environmental professional Dr. Christopher Groebbel were also present. http://hastingsbanner.com/crowd-packs-meeting-on-fracking-in-yankee-springs-p3791-84.htm

ENERGY PRODUCTION REQUIRES SAFE PRACTICE, YET.. Oil & gas mining in the US has been exempted from many health and environmental safety laws such as: the Safe Drinking Water Act; the Toxic Release Inventory under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund Act); the National Environmental Policy Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Clean Air Act; and the Clean Water Act. Natural Gas Operations from a Public Health Perspective, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, Volume 17, Issue 5, pp 1039-105 From Chesapeakes own report: The natural gas and oil business involves a variety of operating risks, including the risk of fire, explosions, blow-outs, pipe failure, abnormally pressure formation and environmental hazards such as oil spills, natural gas leaks, ruptures or discharges of toxic gases Out horizontal and deep drilling activities involve greater risk of mechanics problems than vertical and shallow drilling operations. p19 of link http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/895126/000119312511052349/d10k.htm
Horizontal High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing uses 1 million gallons of water for each fracturing process. A well can be fractured from 2-9 times. This water is drawn on or near site, depleting local freshwater resources. The permits show up to 3 water wells can be used for each gas well. (exp. well file for State Mentor, Mentor Twp,
Cheboygan County)

Most substances used in the drilling process are not recovered, a portion migrating back into the aquifer. The BRINE identified in the MDEQ Oil/Gas Administrative Rules as ALL (non-drinkable) water resulting, obtained, or produced from the exploration, drilling, or production of oil or gas, or both - even in discovery wells, contains naturally occurring radioactive materials or carcinogenic chemicals. Even if safely captured and transported flowback is sold and applied to our roads or held in underground injection wells that could degrade after 50 years. Jordan Development does use impoundments up north, open disposal pits that can evaporate off chemicals associated with downwinders syndrome. Oil/gas drilling sites can leave a ground layer of ozone linked to respiratory and neurological damage. Dr. Ron Bishop of SUNY noted these and other risks in his 2011 assessment: http://www.sustainableotsego.org/Risk%20Assesment%20Natural%20Gas%20Extraction-1.htm In Michigan 100% of the disclosed chemicals added to fracturing fluid and present in produced water, are identified only as trade secrets. Many of the additives used nation-wide remain hidden, but Federal disclosure included 29 chemicals associated with human health risks, i.e:
1. 2. 3. 4. Glutaraldehyde A potent respiratory toxin effective @ parts-per-billion concentrations, a sensitizer in susceptible people known to cause occupational asthma and contact dermatitis, a mutagen that induce or increase the frequency of genetic mutations. DBNPA & DBAN Sensitizers, respiratory & skin toxins, & corrosive to the eyes. They are more potent together at much smaller doses. DBAN is also carcinogenic. Propargyl Alcohol Causes burns to tissues in skin eyes nose mouth, esophagus, and stomach; in humans it is selectively toxic to the liver and kidneys. 4-NQO A chemical consistently found in testing of Marcellus Shale gas wells that is not identified in fracturing fluid or naturally occurring in black shale. One the most potent known carcinogens, esp. w/ regards to mouth cancer, it is dangerous at parts-per-trillion, well below its levels in flowback.

You can also ask anyone who lives near a drilling site what has happened to their drinking water to get an idea of what youre in for! As the unique headway of five rivers, multiple lakes, streams and wetland habitats, not to mention residents well water, Oakland Countys freshwater resources are interwoven and especially important. Its UP TO US to speak up!

IF YOU WANT TO SIGN A PETITION INSTEAD OF A LEASE, PLEASE VISIT: www.letsbanfracking.org www.banmichiganfracking.org www.dontfrackmichigan.org For more information on High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing or organizing in Michigan or Oakland County contact: spiteria@gmail.com Not sponsored by Committee to Ban Fracking in Michigan