Groups call for legislative fracking ban
CUMBERLAND — A coalition of 79 organizations, including several local organizations, is calling for legislative action to ban hydraulic fracturing in Maryland.
“Based on what we know now, we believe that fracking endangers public health and is the wrong approach to building a robust Maryland economy and a clean energy future. We urge Maryland’s legislature to pass an extended moratorium in 2015,” the statement, released Jan.17, reads. The document was released by the Chesapeake Physicians for Social Responsibility and Food & Water Watch.
At least one bill to ban the practice has been introduced in the Maryland General Assembly.
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the method that would be used to free the gas and allow it to be brought to the surface. In order to get the gas trapped in the shale to the surface, chemicals, water and sand are pumped underground to break apart rock formations and free the gas.
Coalition members say the state isn’t up to regulating fracking.
Read More Here: http://bakken.com/news/id/230970/groups-call-legislative-fracking-ban/
Merger planned for Rocky Gap owner
…. “The new company will retain ownership of the Rocky Gap Casino Resort near Cumberland, Md., which is inside the Rocky Gap State Park. The 200-room hotel includes the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in Maryland and a casino with 500 slot machines, a poker room and 10 table games.”
Read More Here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150126005252/en/Lakes-Entertainment-Golden-Gaming-Announce-Merger-Agreement#.VMeefmd0yM–
It's Snowing in Deep Creek!
Two inches, so far, and the most intense snow is expected this afternoon. A Winter Storm Advisory is in effect until 7 a.m. tomorrow and expected totals are in the 4-8 inch range.
Great Time to Hit the Slopes!
Bowling Anyone???
Owners of The Alley in Oakland confirmed they are moving forward with the second location in McHenry. It will be on the lot adjacent to the new Dollar General — where Deep Creek Drive breaks off from Rt. 219 at the northern end. Deep Creek is getting a bowling alley!
Find Out More Here: http://www.deepcreeklakebowling.com/
Franchot: Petition backs post-Labor Day school start
Support in the form of 13,240 Marylanders’ signatures keeps the ball rolling on a push by Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) to get schools in Maryland to start after Labor Day.
School officials in Calvert County and elsewhere in the state say decisions on start times should remain local. In Calvert, the first day of school after the summer break this year would be Aug. 25 as things stand now.
The “Let Summer Be Summer” campaign picked up steam when a governor’s task force recommended in May 2014 that Maryland public schools delay opening until after Labor Day, while continuing to end classes in mid-June.
Read More Here: http://www.somdnews.com/article/20150121/NEWS/150129772/franchot-petition-backs-post-labor-day-school-start&template=southernMaryland
Garrett benefits from vacationers
A recent article by reporter Tim Wheeler about the issue of natural gas development in Garrett County contains a statement from a local Chamber of Commerce board member and farmer who has been a fairly vocal advocate for natural gas development (“Fracking debate intensifies in Western Maryland,” Jan. 17). His statement deserves a response.
Billy Bishoff is quoted in the article as saying “… as more land goes into vacation homes, it’s becoming harder to afford leasing land to raise crops.”
The number of new second home subdivisions in Garrett County in the past five years has been few to none. Almost all second home development in Garrett County over the past 30 years has occurred in and around Deep Creek Lake. Most of that new development occurred on non-farmed lands. The reality is that there is currently no market competition between farmland and developable second home land in Garrett County.
Read More Here: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-natural-gas-letter-20150121-story.html
