Category:garrett county commissioners

Fracking in Maryland needs to be stopped before it begins

Well it looks as if hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is going to make its debut in Maryland in the near future. After conducting a three-year long study concerning the potential effects of fracking on Maryland, former governor Martin O’Malley declared the state fit to frack just before leaving office. His successor Larry Hogan has also expressed his desire to start drilling in the very near future. While fracking might create short-term jobs and tax revenues, Maryland needs to realize the costs will far outweigh the benefits. Fracking will only destroy the state’s environment and worsen its already outdated infrastructure.

The process of fracking involves drilling about a mile and a half into the ground, injecting water into the well created by the drill in order to crack the shale bedrock and extract the gas within it. It’s a process that threatens the environment above and below the ground.

The biggest danger inherent in the fracking process is the possibility of leakages in the pipes, which would cause gas to seep into shallow rock layers and private wells, creating the possibility of it ending up in peoples’ faucets. When the contaminated water arrives at the tap, it becomes flammable.

The chemicals in the byproducts of the gas consist of benzene, xylene toluene, and methane; all of which are known to cause cancer, birth defects and nervous system disorders. Since fracking is such a recently developed process, there are also possible long-term risks that are still largely unknown. According to the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a non-profit devoted to “building a movement to solve the climate crisis in Maryland, D.C., and Virginia,” doctors are already connecting fracking to numerous health problems like respiratory illness and increased infant mortality.

100+ Maryland businesses call for fracking moratorium

$fracking_si$

More than 100 businesses in western Maryland have come out in support of a bill that would establish a moratorium on oil and gas exploration via hydraulic fracturing, citing concerns over pollution, health and tourism consequences.

Lawmakers in Maryland are currently considering bills that would either place an eight-year moratorium on fracking or ban the practice completely, much like New York did late last year.

However, state Gov. Larry Hogan believes the time is right to allow the practice – which involves blasting highly pressurized water, sand and other chemicals into layers of rock to free up oil and gas – as long as strict regulations are in place. According to the Baltimore Sun, the Maryland Environmental Department is considering regulations that would pave the way for fracking to begin in the state.

Bill Seeks to Impose Moratorium on Fracking Until 2023

March 12th, 2015 by WCBC Radio

Efforts to see that hydraulic fracturing won’t be considered in Maryland for at least another eight years continue in Annapolis as a hearing in the House Environmental and Transportation placing a moratorium on banning fracking was held Wednesday. The bill would impose a moratorium on fracking until 2023. Local residents and officials planned to testify on both sides of the bill. Members of Don’t Frack Maryland also planned to present a petition supporting the moratorium to the legislators. Supporters of fracking say that the bill may have an adverse impact on small businesses engaged in providing services related to hydraulic fracturing, and that the region is missing out on a potential revenue stream of hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Delegate Wendell Beitzel, who represents Garrett County, is frustrated with the opposition. He says a moratorium may not even be required given the potential strictest in the nation regulations being considered…..

– See more at: http://www.wcbcradio.com/?news=bill-seeks-to-impose-moratorium-on-fracking-until-2023#sthash.qrLPP5yI.dpuf

County Commissioners Announce Overarching Goals and Vision

The Board of County Commissioners presented their Overarching Goals and Vision for their term of office at their Public Meeting on Monday, January 5, 2015.

These well thought out philosophies are based on cooperative sound judgment and mutual agreement between each county commissioner.

Please click on the link below to view the goals:

County Commissioners Announce Public Meeting Schedule

Public meetings of the Board of Garrett County Commissioners will be scheduled for the first Monday and third Tuesday of each month. Public meetings will commence at 4:00 PM in the Board’s Public Meeting Room.

More Information Here: http://garrettcounty.org/news/2014/12/county-commissioners-announce-public-meeting-schedule

Commissioners approve revised Water and Sewer Master Plan

The Garrett County Water and Sewer Master Plan has been revised based on preliminary from MDE, and is provided below for general review and comment. This is the version to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption during a Public Hearing at a time and place yet to be determined.

Residents hope that newly elected commissioners will reconsider maintenance of Overlook Pass

Posted: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 3:42 pm

ELAINE BLAISDELL TIMES-NEWS STAFF WRITER The Cumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — The current Garrett County commissioners are not planning on maintaining Overlook Pass and Judy Pitman of High Line Property Owners Association is hopeful the newly elected commissioners will reconsider the decision not to maintain the road and will make it a priority.

Commissioner-elect Paul Edwards indicated that he is aware of the issues with Overlook Pass but declined to comment on the matter until he is officially sworn in. Attempts to contact Commissioners-elect Larry Tichnell and Jim Hinebaugh on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

“With Thanksgiving next week and rentals and homeowners having to use this road, it is of great concern that the county will not maintain it,” said Pitman. “There are rental and sales agencies that are contacting the incoming commissioners and having meetings on this issue.”

Public Hearing Notice - Proposed Revision of the Garrett County Water & Sewer Master Plan

Garrett County Sanitary District
Proposed Changes for the Public Hearing

Boundary Change for the Garrett County Sanitary District

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-503(c) of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland Notice is hereby given that a public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland, is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 10:45 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County, Maryland, public meeting room, located at the Courthouse, Oakland, Maryland, to consider the proposed revision of the Garrett County Water and Sewer Master Plan.

Garrett officials amend sewer service boundaries

OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners Wednesday unanimously approved an amendment to the Mountain Lake Park/Loch Lynn Heights sewer service area in the water and sewer master plan.

The last time the boundary was amended was in May 1982 and currently the ad valorem rate is 4 cents on $100 of the assessed value in the service area, according to Patrick Hudnall, administration and environmental chief of the Garrett County Department of Public Works Utilities Division.

“Almost all 81 percent of the properties affected by this change are currently paying that tax” said Hudnall.

John Wilson, a Mountain Lake Park resident, and another resident voiced concerns about having someone to service their sewer grinder pump.

POA opposes vertical drilling for Marcellus shale

Getty Images via Newscred

DEEP CREEK LAKE — The Garrett County Property Owners’ Association has voted to oppose vertical drilling for Marcellus shale gas within the boundaries of the Deep Creek Watershed as defined by the map included in the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance.

In a position letter, the POA encourages the Garrett County Commissioners to amend the ordinance to prohibit vertical drilling and associated surface infrastructure within the watershed.

The POA’s decision to oppose vertical drilling was motivated by concerns about preserving the watershed, sustaining water resources and drinking water quality, and protecting property values, according to the letter from president Bob Hoffman to the county commissioners. Concerns associated with the drilling are noise, odor, traffic congestion and viewshed impact, according to the position paper.

“These are simply inherent in the natural gas recovery process. Regarding water resources, protecting groundwater sources and well water against contamination are particular matters of continuing debate and concern, despite serious and appreciated attention as part of the state effort,” states the position paper.

← 1 2 3 ... 14 →