I just got some news that really has me sick.I'm a Logger and during a logging operation we have to watch for erosion and sediment getting in to streams and we spend alot of money and time keeping it under control and we have it inspected by DEP and Lycoming County Soil and Waters Dept.,The other day we had DEP stop in to check out our job which is along the banks of a small trout stream and we need to put in a bridge to cross it to finish the job.As we stood around debating where to put the bridge we got talking about the Gas Drilling going on close to where we are working and the DEP guy told us that Gas Companies ARE EXEMPT from the Clean Water,Soil,and Air Acts.Its there choice whether they want to control erosion from getting in the streams or not,They can pollute the same streams that we can't!!I don't want to pollute the streams and I don't think that they should be exempt from it.Driving down the road the other day I was listening to a few guys talking on the CB and they're dumping Frac water into a ditch behind they're yard where they stage all the Trucks and equipment.The ditch runs through a culvert under the road right in to Lycoming Creek which is approved trout waters.The Guy from DEP told us he knows it's happening and there is nothing they can do about it.Some of the water is sent to treatment plants but they can't get the heavy metals and the chemicals that are considered "Trade Secrets"out of it before it gets dumped in to the River.The Gas companies don't even have to tell the DEP what chemicals are in the Frac water because they are "Trade Secrets" and don't have to be disclosed in any report to DEP.I just read a report from PFBC and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River is the cleanest it's been in 20yrs.They're dumping this water in to it in Lock Haven,Jersey Shore,and in Williamsport.What is going to happen when there done drilling and they all move on?Take there Billions of dollars and leave us with  polluted Rivers and Creeks.I'm fine with them drilling but with the amount of money there making they should be protecting the environment better.But that cuts in to there profit.Ok I've bitched enough for today.

Ya.Halliburton is one of the companies drilling around here and there the ones that drilled in the Gulf and Dick Cheney former VP used to be CEO of Halliburton.But there not being held responsible for anything.It was Bush and Cheney that came up with the energy exploration bill that Exempts Gas companies from any environmental responsibilities.

Posted By moose on 23 May 2010 09:16 AM
IS'NT IT NICE HOW ARE GOVERMENT TAKES CARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEM IN OFFICE??? NEED TO GO TO D.C. AND CLEN HOUSE AND START OVER AGAIN.MAYBE GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME...

They should have to live off of $20,000 a year like alot of the rest of us!!They Work for US whether they like it or not.Or if I hire someone to work for me I should pay them more then I make???sounds stupid doesn't it.When they first created this government being a politician was a part time job that didn't pay very well most of them still had to work real jobs on the side to make enough money to live on,Ok that may have been in the very beginning but that should still be how it is.We don't need career politicians at any level from townships all the way up to DC.Put working people in DC not lawyers and the wealthy.I know we vote them in but they only give us a few choices so it's like picking the better of 2 evils