Be Good Stewards of Our Land
Washington PA Observer-Reporter
4 January 2010
I have lived in this area but a short time. During these few months I
have come to see a people, who for the most part, love the land and
their families. I have lived in the Pacific Northwest half of my life
and the Midwest the other half. There is a spirit in all of this land
that is one, I believe, about America.
I do not own a large piece of land but things are happening that
concern me. I have talked with others who are also disturbed but do not
seem to feel that it will be different or that they have any power to
make a difference. They have seen the mines come in to disturb the land
and felt helpless to stop it.
I am not sure that this new disturbance needs to be stopped. However,
it does need to be examined and slowed to discover safer ways of
extracting this new gold, gas. The damage is growing and the effects
are too long-lasting to continue on this current course. There are
those who are coming up with solutions, but the research/infrastructure
is behind the extraction. The current rate of 10-plus gas and oil sites
a day and 1,000,000 gallons of water needed for each gas well is
stressing the waterways and damaging the land for many years to come.
We have become a people of instant gratification, but this is one time
we need to take our time, think it through and do things well, no pun
intended. There is no magic pill or fast and easy solution here. Those
in the economic development groups are working to see how we in the
tri-county area can work with this coming development. But what of the
other counties or the other states affected by this industry? What of
the need to be stewards of the land and resources, not just capitalize
on the opportunity for money and development, though that, too, is
needed?
Stand up. Do not let them push you or promise you money before you look
at all sides of the story. Some of you may see this as a way out. Be
cautious.
I love this land and there are those who love it more than me. Some of
them work in the industries of gas, oil and coal. They want to listen.
There are also some who just want the money. There have always been
those who do not look to the best way but the easy way, but most are
not like that. Be smart, ask questions and if they don't have answers
find them before you sign any papers.
The Dunkard and Whiteley creeks situation should not have happened. A
few weeks ago, people at a meeting I attended said they saw things
happening early in the summer to Dunkard Creek but never said a word.
Now we have creeks damaged, in some areas where things will not be able
to grow or fish survive for 15 to 20 years. Why? Because people looked
the other way, politicians agreed to things without looking at the
changes and consequences if the action of drilling or dumping were
allowed.
Money is a powerful thing, but so are people. Do your part; don't let
trucks dump in your areas, the streams or the rivers. Take pictures of
those who do. Make a fuss about things, call your representative. You
have a voice. Use it.
We are a proud people, but we cannot remain so if we allow the
industries to tell us what is to be done and how. We need to listen to
wisdom, not to greed.
Goldie Kathryn Saesan
Greensboro, PA