(Tom gives us a

shale drilling would have for a WV farmer who doesn't own his mineral rights
but
Earlier
by the previous Tuesday.
farm."
wouldn't talk to him and he said he would come back today,
Thursday.
that has been in the news for two months or so.

Consolidated Coal sold five of its big mines to Murray Energy in a
$3.5 billion deal.

Commentary
As drilling activity intensifies in many rural counties in WV, there
has been an increase in "water buffalos" popping up on
homeowners' lawns throughout the area. The term "water
buffalo" refers to the large water tanks that provide an alternative
wate
potable water.

In West Virginia, there is currently no legislation or WV DEP policy


I N S I DE T H I S I S S U E
1 Commentary by a
Besieged Farmer
1 New Study Underway by
WV Host Farms
2 Just Released Book
3 This Week's Picks...
4 Photo of the Week
6 Duke University Visits
Continue
8 Update on WVU Songbird
Study
10 Harvard Law School
releases updated copy
"Landowner Guide to
Hydraulic Fracturing "
11 WV SORO Upcoming
Annual Meeting & Agenda


by Tom Bond, Ph.D., retired chemistry professor and resident cattle farmer
who farms 500 acres
New Study Underway by WV Host Farms
Volunteers to Map Locations of "Water
WV Host Farms Pr ogr am P. O. Box 214 West Uni on, WV 26456 304 873
An industry-provided "water
buffalo" sits on the lawn of a
residence on RT 74 near
Pennsboro, WV.

(Tom gives us a very thorough and well stated perspective of the impact that
shale drilling would have for a WV farmer who doesn't own his mineral rights
but could have a Marcellus gas well pad forced upon him as a surface owner.)
Earlier one morning I met an appointment with a man who stopped
by the previous Tuesday. He wanted "to locate points on our
farm." My wife "smelled a rat." Since I wasn't at home, she
wouldn't talk to him and he said he would come back today,
Thursday. I realized it most certainly had to do with something
that has been in the news for two months or so.
Consolidated Coal sold five of its big mines to Murray Energy in a
$3.5 billion deal. Murray is a scab outfit, and since has announced

Commentary By a Besieged
As drilling activity intensifies in many rural counties in WV, there
has been an increase in "water buffalos" popping up on
homeowners' lawns throughout the area. The term "water
buffalo" refers to the large water tanks that provide an alternative
water source to a home where the water well no longer provides
potable water.
In West Virginia, there is currently no legislation or WV DEP policy
August 1
Vol ume 1
by Tom Bond, Ph.D., retired chemistry professor and resident cattle farmer
who farms 500 acres in Lewis County, WV
New Study Underway by WV Host Farms
Volunteers to Map Locations of "Water
Buffalos" & Nearby Drilling Activity
WV Host Farms Pr ogr am P. O. Box 214 West Uni on, WV 26456 304 873- 3764 wvhostf arms@yahoo. com

WV Host Farms Program WV Host Farms Program WV Host Farms Program WV Host Farms Program


very thorough and well stated perspective of the impact that
shale drilling would have for a WV farmer who doesn't own his mineral rights
well pad forced upon him as a surface owner.)
appointment with a man who stopped
He wanted "to locate points on our
My wife "smelled a rat." Since I wasn't at home, she
wouldn't talk to him and he said he would come back today,
had to do with something
that has been in the news for two months or so.
Consolidated Coal sold five of its big mines to Murray Energy in a
Murray is a scab outfit, and since has announced
Continued on page 5 Continued on page 5 Continued on page 5 Continued on page 5
Besieged Farmer
As drilling activity intensifies in many rural counties in WV, there
has been an increase in "water buffalos" popping up on
homeowners' lawns throughout the area. The term "water
buffalo" refers to the large water tanks that provide an alternative
r source to a home where the water well no longer provides
In West Virginia, there is currently no legislation or WV DEP policy
August 15, 2014
ol ume 1 Issue 1
by Tom Bond, Ph.D., retired chemistry professor and resident cattle farmer
New Study Underway by WV Host Farms
Volunteers to Map Locations of "Water
Buffalos" & Nearby Drilling Activity
C CC Cont ont ont ontinued inued inued inued on page 3 on page 3 on page 3 on page 3
4 wvhostf arms@yahoo. com
WV Host Farms Program WV Host Farms Program WV Host Farms Program WV Host Farms Program

WV Host Farms Program


This week two researchers affiliated with Cornell University and
Physicians Science and Engineers for Healthy Energy released their
new book titled:

The Real Cost of Fracking: How America's Shale Gas Boom Is
Threatening Our Families, Pets, and Food
by Michelle Bamberger
Steingraber


Co-
who also co
medicine at Cornell University. Both serve on the advisory board of
Physicians, Scient

Bamberger and Oswald have been documenting the impacts of
shale gas drilling on people, livestock, and pets in many different
communities over the past several years where shale gas drilling
has taken place. The b
health and environmental concerns associated with the
"unconventional" drilling methods (e.g. horizontal high pressure,
slick

Back in 2012, Bamberger & Oswald relea
"...We discovered that all
too often, the humans in
the household also
experienced health
problems associated with
drilling operations and
that sometimes the
symptoms were the same
ones their pets or farm
animals had experienced..."
Just Released Book .......
Photo on the right is of Terry Greenwood,
holding one of 18 stillborn calves from his farm.
contaminated his pond and field back in 2008.
away on June 8 from a rare form of brain cancer. Read his story
on the following links.....

http://www.desmogblog.com/2014/07/24/after
calls-fracking-health-study-grow-stronger

http://www.friendsoftheharmed.com/terry

http://vimeo.com/98104966

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRNtVAa4GEw

This week two researchers affiliated with Cornell University and
Physicians Science and Engineers for Healthy Energy released their
new book titled:
The Real Cost of Fracking: How America's Shale Gas Boom Is
Threatening Our Families, Pets, and Food
Michelle Bamberger, Robert Oswald, forw
Steingraber (Aug 5, 2014)
-author Michelle Bamberger is a veterinarian and Robert Oswald,
who also co-authored the book, is a professor of molecular
medicine at Cornell University. Both serve on the advisory board of
Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers for Healthy Energy.
Bamberger and Oswald have been documenting the impacts of
shale gas drilling on people, livestock, and pets in many different
communities over the past several years where shale gas drilling
has taken place. The book released on August 5,
health and environmental concerns associated with the
"unconventional" drilling methods (e.g. horizontal high pressure,
slick-water fracking) that is used to extract shale gas.
Back in 2012, Bamberger & Oswald released a report which

Just Released Book .......
Photo on the right is of Terry Greenwood, a PA farmer shown
holding one of 18 stillborn calves from his farm. Fracking fluid
contaminated his pond and field back in 2008. Terry passed
away on June 8 from a rare form of brain cancer. Read his story
http://www.desmogblog.com/2014/07/24/after-rancher-s-death-
stronger
http://www.friendsoftheharmed.com/terry-greenwood.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRNtVAa4GEw
Page 2
This week two researchers affiliated with Cornell University and
Physicians Science and Engineers for Healthy Energy released their
The Real Cost of Fracking: How America's Shale Gas Boom Is
Threatening Our Families, Pets, and Food
, forward by Sandra
author Michelle Bamberger is a veterinarian and Robert Oswald,
authored the book, is a professor of molecular
medicine at Cornell University. Both serve on the advisory board of
ists, and Engineers for Healthy Energy.
Bamberger and Oswald have been documenting the impacts of
shale gas drilling on people, livestock, and pets in many different
communities over the past several years where shale gas drilling
released on August 5, discusses the
health and environmental concerns associated with the
"unconventional" drilling methods (e.g. horizontal high pressure,
water fracking) that is used to extract shale gas.
sed a report which
Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4 Continued on page 4


WV Host Farms Program Page 3


New Study Underway by WV Host Farms" New Study Underway by WV Host Farms" New Study Underway by WV Host Farms" New Study Underway by WV Host Farms"
continued from page 1 continued from page 1 continued from page 1 continued from page 1

in place requiring the drilling industry to
notify the health department or other agency
whenever they have provided a homeowner
with an alternate drinking water source. We
know of more than a dozen cases in
Doddridge & Harrison Counties alone where
these water tanks have appeared on the
lawns of homes adjacent to or close by
drilling activity.

Many homeowners have confirmed these
tanks were provided by a gas drilling company
after allegations of well water contamination
had been made. WV Host Farms is working
on a project that will map the locations of
water buffalos using Google Earth and the
"WV Ground Truth" mapping project
developed by Environmental Advocate, John
King.

We'll produce Google Earth files which pin
the exact location of a home with a water
buffalo and also indentify and pin onto the
map all gas well pads surrounding the home
(including all horizontal legs moving out from
the pad.)

This is important data to be shared with our
county Public Health Departments since no
monitoring is currently being done by WV
DEP.
This week's picks
......recommended links to
recent news stories, articles,
videos, & research reports of
interest


"Concerns Over Radioactive Waste
Going Into WV"

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-08-
04/environment/concerns-over-radioactive-
waste-going-into-wv-landfills/a40923-1



"After Rancher's Death, Calls for
Fracking Health Study Grow Stronger"

http://www.desmogblog.com/2014/07/24/after-
rancher-s-death-calls-fracking-health-study-
grow-stronger



Video link to watch "How Fracking
Impacts Public Health" presentation
featuring Sandra Steingraber and others
on July 23rd

vimeo.com/102454158



Published by Downstream Strategies ....
"Water Resource Reporting and Water
Footprint from Marcellus Shale
Development in West Virginia and
Pennsylvania"

http://www.downstreamstrategies.com/docume
nts/reports_publication/marcellus_wv_pa.pdf


"Hormone-Disrupting Activity of Fracking
Chemicals Worse Than Initially Found"

http://www.newswise.com/articles/hormone-
disrupting-activity-of-fracking-chemicals-worse-
than-initially-found
It is difficult to get a man to understand
something, when his salary depends on
his not understanding it.
-- Upton Sinclair


WV Host Farms Program


appeared in the publication New Solutions: A
Journal of Environmental & Occupational
Health Policy - Volume 22, Number 1 / 2012.

The peer reviewed paper titled:
"IMPACTS OF GAS DRILLING ON HUMAN AND
ANIMAL HEALTH"
MICHELLE BAMBERGER & ROBERT E. OSWALD

See the full report at:
http://baywood.metapress.com/media/32phyjvylpxbb
8xh8r4h/contributions/6/6/1/4/661442p346j5387t.pdf
Their research looked at 24 different gas well
sites, 18 of them were horizontal fracked.
Bamberger & Oswald observed significant
changes in both human and animal health of
"Just Released Book" cont'd from "Just Released Book" cont'd from "Just Released Book" cont'd from "Just Released Book" cont'd from
Have a photo which illustrates a particular issue, concern, or challenge associated with shale gas drilling
in WV? Submit it to WV Host Farms to be considered for publication in
newsletter. When we document the impacts of shale gas drilling to increase public awareness, hopefully
we can expect to see positive changes through better regulation and oversight.
wvhostfarms@yahoo.com


peared in the publication New Solutions: A
Journal of Environmental & Occupational
Volume 22, Number 1 / 2012.
The peer reviewed paper titled:
"IMPACTS OF GAS DRILLING ON HUMAN AND
MICHELLE BAMBERGER & ROBERT E. OSWALD
http://baywood.metapress.com/media/32phyjvylpxbb
8xh8r4h/contributions/6/6/1/4/661442p346j5387t.pdf
Their research looked at 24 different gas well
sites, 18 of them were horizontal fracked.
Oswald observed significant
changes in both human and animal health of
those who were living near these natural gas
sites. Mostly cows were studied, tho
animals also included in the analysis were
horses, chickens, domestic pets
cats.) Six different states were included in
this project (Colorado, Louisiana, TX, PA,
Ohio, and NY) with the animal owners being
interviewed by Bamberger an
of the health impacts documented in this
report include animal reproductive issues, still
births, deformities, neurological symptoms,
skin conditions, nosebleeds, and even death.
View presentations given by Dr. Bamberger &
Dr. Oswald at the following links...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYdeWhP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAVqDvtUaQs

Photo of the Week
"Just Released Book" cont'd from "Just Released Book" cont'd from "Just Released Book" cont'd from "Just Released Book" cont'd from page 2 page 2 page 2 page 2
Which is it? Residual waste or fresh
water? How can we really be sure? Tanker
trucks dual- labeled, such as this one, are
a common site in WV. Tankers hauling
residual waste, which are then used to
haul fresh water, are required to b
cleaned out and certified for fresh water
transport. But who oversees this process
to be sure it's being done?
Have a photo which illustrates a particular issue, concern, or challenge associated with shale gas drilling
Farms to be considered for publication in a future edition of the
When we document the impacts of shale gas drilling to increase public awareness, hopefully
we can expect to see positive changes through better regulation and oversight.
Page 4
those who were living near these natural gas
sites. Mostly cows were studied, though other
also included in the analysis were
domestic pets (dogs and
Six different states were included in
this project (Colorado, Louisiana, TX, PA,
Ohio, and NY) with the animal owners being
interviewed by Bamberger and Oswald. Some
of the health impacts documented in this
report include animal reproductive issues, still
births, deformities, neurological symptoms,
skin conditions, nosebleeds, and even death.
View presentations given by Dr. Bamberger &
t the following links...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYdeWhP-u_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAVqDvtUaQs
hoto of the Week
Which is it? Residual waste or fresh
water? How can we really be sure? Tanker
labeled, such as this one, are
a common site in WV. Tankers hauling
residual waste, which are then used to
haul fresh water, are required to be
cleaned out and certified for fresh water
transport. But who oversees this process
to be sure it's being done?
Have a photo which illustrates a particular issue, concern, or challenge associated with shale gas drilling
future edition of the
When we document the impacts of shale gas drilling to increase public awareness, hopefully
we can expect to see positive changes through better regulation and oversight. Submit your photo to

WV Host Farms Program Page 5



"Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" cont "Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" cont "Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" cont "Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" continue inue inue inued from page 1 d from page 1 d from page 1 d from page 1
it would not pay retirement benefits and health insurance to retired miners. (Murray is
the one who is reported to have coerced his employees to contribute to Romney in the last
election and publically prayed for Obama to lose and fired some of his workers when he
didn't.)
Consolidated took $190M and used it to buy drilling rights from Dominion Resources to the
Lost Creek Storage Field. This is surprising, because a mistake on the part of the drillers
could cause Dominion to lose the field, one of the largest in the U. S. Whatever the
arrangement was for such a possibility, it gives nearly 90,000 contiguous acres, meaning
what is now called Consolidated Energy will avoid a lot of labor and time putting together
drilling units, which contain one drilling pad which contains all the several wells per
drilling unit.
The drilling units are shaped longer than wide, and when a company can put several of
them together like bricks are laid up (the middle of the brick in the next row comes at the
end of the brick in the previous row), it makes most efficient use of the space. Having
several of them together is a great advantage in terms of cost. I have read that as much
as 2/3 of the cost of drilling some shale fields is acquisition cost: locating, courthouse
work, leasing and engineering and royalty (royalty is 12.5%, occasionally more).

This morning the man was polite and winning (a very useful characteristic in his work). I
had looked him up on the internet, where he has a considerable presence. His name was
on Consolidated Energy's site at Canonsburg, PA. He is on the board of the WV surveyors
association. He is the county surveyor of Monongahela County, where he lives, and had a
surveying company of his own (until recently, he said), and even the name of his wife and
son! Anyway, when asked who he worked for, he said it was the company on his card, he
acted strange when I asked who they had their contract with and wouldn't say anything
more. When I asked what he wanted he said it was to locate corners on the plat and take
global positioning readings of them and mumbled something about the roads. Of course I
turned him down. I gave him the paper attached, which is a statement of my expected
losses, three of my articles and an article from Harpers about the other crises the world
faces in addition to extreme methods of energy extraction, such as global warming,
overpopulation, accumulation of waste, plastics in the ocean and so forth. We parted on
good terms and he promised to pass the papers along when he had read them himself. I
think he is genuinely ignorant about these things.

This evening on the way home from a meeting I stopped at a neighbor's house to talk to
them. They knew a lot about what is going on around Jane Lew. They had been
approached to buy a right of way up the hill across from their house, and to lease the
property they own. They turned the leaseman down. They told me they had learned the
first well to be drilled would be on the hill formerly owned by Bill Neely, which is the hill
you go over first going from Jane Lew to Broadrun (Lightburn). The second will be on the
hill adjacent to 19 going out of Jane Lew toward West Milford, but close to Jane Lew. The
Co Co Co Cont nt nt ntinued inued inued inued on page 6 on page 6 on page 6 on page 6



WV Host Farms Program



" "" "Commentary from a Commentary from a Commentary from a Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" cont Besieged Farmer" cont Besieged Farmer" cont Besieged Farmer" cont
third will be somewhere on Duck Creek Road.
People in Jane Lew sold gas rights on up to one acre lots for $500, larger lots for $750.

The neighbors and other family heirs had been offered $500 an acre and 12.5%, less cost of
stripping and transportation for their gas (a new angle in royalty, it reduces the legally
mandated 12.5% very considerably).
and $750 an acre, under the same terms.
found other very objectionable terms in the leases, they said.
Attachment
Mr. Surveyor:
My estimate is that one Marcellus pad on my farm will cost me and
Since your business is facilitating the industry, you doubtless aren't in the habit of looking
at it from the farmer's side, and your conscience forces you to minimize the damage to
residents and landowners. I shall endeavor to cla
you in the hierarchy.

Duke University Visits Continue

In July, Mirijana Beram, a volunteer for
Doddridge County Watershed Association and WV
Host Farms Program, hosted visiting grad
students from Ohio University
resample water wells as part of the ongoing
water quality monitoring in Doddridge County.
They also collected samples at new locations.
This is part of the ongoing study
water sampling and research being done by
Avner Vengosh & Tom Darrah of Duke University
and Ohio University respectively.

WV Host Farms Program connected with Avner
Vengosh at Duke back in May, 2012 to provide
access to properties near shale gas drilling for his
research. Duke University staff and s
have made many visits to WV since then.


Besieged Farmer" cont Besieged Farmer" cont Besieged Farmer" cont Besieged Farmer" continued inued inued inued from page 5 from page 5 from page 5 from page 5
third will be somewhere on Duck Creek Road. (That is a line trending roughly Northeast.)
People in Jane Lew sold gas rights on up to one acre lots for $500, larger lots for $750.
The neighbors and other family heirs had been offered $500 an acre and 12.5%, less cost of
stripping and transportation for their gas (a new angle in royalty, it reduces the legally
mandated 12.5% very considerably). They turned it down. Others had been
and $750 an acre, under the same terms. Some lawyers of people they talked to have
other very objectionable terms in the leases, they said.
My estimate is that one Marcellus pad on my farm will cost me and my heirs a great deal.
Since your business is facilitating the industry, you doubtless aren't in the habit of looking
at it from the farmer's side, and your conscience forces you to minimize the damage to
I shall endeavor to clarify the details for you and those above
Cont ont ont ont

Duke University Visits Continue
Mirijana Beram, a volunteer for
Doddridge County Watershed Association and WV
Host Farms Program, hosted visiting grad
from Ohio University. They came to
resample water wells as part of the ongoing
water quality monitoring in Doddridge County.
They also collected samples at new locations.
study of baseline well
and research being done by
gosh & Tom Darrah of Duke University
and Ohio University respectively.
WV Host Farms Program connected with Avner
Vengosh at Duke back in May, 2012 to provide
access to properties near shale gas drilling for his
research. Duke University staff and students
made many visits to WV since then.
Graduate research students associated
with Ohio University & Duke University
collect water samples during a July 2014
visit to Doddridge Co
Page 6
(That is a line trending roughly Northeast.)
People in Jane Lew sold gas rights on up to one acre lots for $500, larger lots for $750.
The neighbors and other family heirs had been offered $500 an acre and 12.5%, less cost of
stripping and transportation for their gas (a new angle in royalty, it reduces the legally
Others had been offered 15%
Some lawyers of people they talked to have
my heirs a great deal.
Since your business is facilitating the industry, you doubtless aren't in the habit of looking
at it from the farmer's side, and your conscience forces you to minimize the damage to
rify the details for you and those above
ont ont ont ontinued inued inued inued on page 7 on page 7 on page 7 on page 7

Graduate research students associated
with Ohio University & Duke University
collect water samples during a July 2014
visit to Doddridge County.

WV Host Farms Program Page 7


" "" "Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" Commentary from a Besieged Farmer" Continued Continued Continued Continued from page from page from page from page 6 66 6
When I bought the farm in 1962 it had been recently stripped for the Pittsburgh and
Redstone seams. It was essentially abandoned, since no cattle had been kept on it for
several years, and there had been 2 miles of multiflora rose fence planted which had
escaped into the pastures. It was the time of the great expansion of agriculture in the
West. Life magazine had pictures of piles of grain on tarps, since there was no
storage. This when grain-fed beef was developed - everything before was grass-fed. The
farm was junk, far out in the country, and any farm in the country around sold for $20,000.

I have worked on it for 52 years. The pasture is "clean" (devoid of brushy weeds), I have
had wells drilled to water the cattle, and pipelines and water troughs put in, because it is a
"dry" farm, the three intermittent streams frequently go dry in the summer. The fencing is
high tensile, electrified wire with enough subdivisions that I can rotate pasture. I have
established a herd of about 50 good cows; use high quality Red Angus bulls from Beckton
Ranch in Wyoming, which allows us to sell Red Angus Certified, place of origin recorded,
with premises I. D., that are all natural - no antibiotics, no growth stimulants. Premium
feeder cattle. We also sell timber from time to time.
There are 3 houses on the farm, each has a well. Two more wells are dedicated to the
cattle. The water is poor quality, but we declined to hook up to city water, because one
can't afford city water to wash tractors and water cattle. I have a good set of machinery
and some buildings, but the cattle are out of doors in all weather - no barn. Paid hunting is
a lesser but significant part of our income.
The farm is worth a lot. (Details discussed with you on the porch of our house.) One third
of that will be lost if one Marcellus well pad is put on it , and half again more if a second is
placed. I know you and your bosses and coworkers in the industry are used to depreciating
damage to the surface, just as you are used to denying loss of water, sickness due to
drilling by various causes, damage to livestock and wildlife. You rarely attempt to
compensate landowners, and consider it a matter for "cost control."
Here is what will happen to us: several acres will be lost to production for the well pad. It
will be rocked beyond usefulness to agriculture for a very long time - indefinitely.
Pipelines will be required to get production to the gathering line. Heaven forbid we have a
gathering line, too! Timber will be lost on pipeline acreage for the time wells are in
production, and then 70 years will be required for a saleable new crop - assuming trees are
planted (not at company expense, of course), and grow as they normally do. For all that
time the pipelines are in use, there will be drift of the herbicide used to keep the pipeline
right of way cleared, affecting several more acres.
Crops will be dusted by trucks coming in and out along the road at the time of platform
preparation and any well that is drilled, reducing palatability and nutrition. Internal
C CC Cont ont ont ontinued inued inued inued on page on page on page on page 9 99 9

WV Host Farms Program



WV Host Farms Program has been assisting WVU researcher, Laura Farwell, Ph.D in
locating private lands for a study which assesses the effect that shale gas drilling may
have on song bird populations and habitat.


The study is part of a research effort
Resources at West Virginia University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service, and the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture.

In November, 2013, Farwell contacted WV Host Farms Program fo
identifying and gaining access to private farm properties throughout several
The farms were in close proximity to shale drilling activity and
sites. In December 2013, she met with
to see drilling activity in Doddridge and other counties.

The bird counting activities
a field crew of 2 surveyors who would visit the propert
2014 and 2015 to do song bird counts,

WV Host Farms Program was able to connect Farwell with many of the locations through
our multi-county network of volunteers
the field surveys. The data collected during these
data that can be used to monitor bird populations and assess effects
a longer period of time.

The information from the study
regarding the shape, size, and placement of drilling pads and restoration of pipelines to
minimize negative impacts to wildlife.
Update on WVU Songbird Study


WV Host Farms Program has been assisting WVU researcher, Laura Farwell, Ph.D in
locating private lands for a study which assesses the effect that shale gas drilling may
populations and habitat.
The study is part of a research effort between the Division of Forestry and Natural
Resources at West Virginia University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service, and the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture.
In November, 2013, Farwell contacted WV Host Farms Program for assistance
identifying and gaining access to private farm properties throughout several
were in close proximity to shale drilling activity and/or completed
In December 2013, she met with several WV Host Farms volunteers and
to see drilling activity in Doddridge and other counties.
The bird counting activities began this spring and ran through June and July.
who would visit the properties 1-2 times between May
2014 and 2015 to do song bird counts, followed by vegetation surveys to assess habitat.
was able to connect Farwell with many of the locations through
county network of volunteers willing to give access to their farm properties for
ata collected during these field surveys will provide baseline
data that can be used to monitor bird populations and assess effects
information from the study may also influence future management recommendations
regarding the shape, size, and placement of drilling pads and restoration of pipelines to
minimize negative impacts to wildlife.
Update on WVU Songbird Study
WVU researcher, Laura Farwell views a gas well
site in Doddridge County during a visit in
December 2013. WV Host Farms Program
connected Farwell with numerous landowners
who provided access to their farms for the song
bird counting.
Page 8
WV Host Farms Program has been assisting WVU researcher, Laura Farwell, Ph.D in
locating private lands for a study which assesses the effect that shale gas drilling may
between the Division of Forestry and Natural
Resources at West Virginia University, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
assistance in
identifying and gaining access to private farm properties throughout several WV counties.
completed gas well
several WV Host Farms volunteers and took a tour
began this spring and ran through June and July. It involved
2 times between May-July in
followed by vegetation surveys to assess habitat.
was able to connect Farwell with many of the locations through
access to their farm properties for
surveys will provide baseline
data that can be used to monitor bird populations and assess effects of shale drilling over
future management recommendations
regarding the shape, size, and placement of drilling pads and restoration of pipelines to
Update on WVU Songbird Study
WVU researcher, Laura Farwell views a gas well
site in Doddridge County during a visit in
December 2013. WV Host Farms Program
connected Farwell with numerous landowners
who provided access to their farms for the song

WV Host Farms Program Page 9



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electrified fences will have to be adjusted. Lights, noise, air contamination, polluted water
from overflow in case of storms, and traffic, affect livestock and wildlife. People think
animals are tough, and they are, to what they are adapted for: cold, predators and
other hardships they have faced for millions of years, but the stressors put on them by shale
drilling are not part of nature, and cause a toll, making them less valuable at sale time or for
game. Will our paid hunters want to continue, or want to pay less? Unlike Consolidated
Energy, we don't have laws designed to compel them to make us money, we provide a quality
service they are free to reject.
Another thing that is a problem - when there is considerable traffic, the farm is open to the
public. That means rustling and unauthorized hunting. We have put up with that now, with
our Benson well right of way which has Dominion locks on the gate, giving access to the
whole farm. The keys are passed around among friends to anyone that wants them.
Not only the sale value of the farm is reduced, but also the number of livestock must be
substantially reduced, and income, while the rate of depreciation of buildings and machinery
will remain constant. Time will be required to deal with building new fences, and
investment. Although the wells will become stripper wells in 7 or 8 years, no one knows how
long they will be maintained.
The original drilling of the individual wells takes only a few weeks, but to complete them all
may drag out over a decade or two. The WVDEP permit does not provide money for plugging,
nor is it likely to be included in the lease, so it may follow the historical course of tens of
thousands of West Virginia conventional wells which have had the responsible parties
disappear, and remain unplugged until it can be done at public expense, or never.
So all these things are going to cost me and my heirs as well as the decrease in sale value of
the farm, which is after all, a measure of the future value of the farm. The environmental
organization I belong to, Guardians of the West Fork, has as one of its primary projects
overseeing remediation of coal mines over 100 years old! It appears the O&G industry is
headed in the same direction. Will they have to come in on this farm 80 to 100 years from
now to plug the Marcellus wells?
Notice I am not saying anything about loss of aquifers to contamination, or the various kinds
of sickness attributed to shale drilling or expenses endured outside farming, all of which
undoubtedly occur, there are too may facts on the ground.
You might be surprised at my concern for that distance in time, but that reflects the time
frame of reference of a thoughtful, long time farmer compared to the time frame of

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WV Host Farms Program Page 10


Harvard Law School Releases Revised Copy of Landowner's Guide
to Hydraulic Fracturing

The Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic at Harvard University recently released a
revised edition (July 2014) of their resource for landowners who are considering leasing their
land or minerals for to the oil and gas industry. The 44 page document is titled:

A Landowner's Guide to Hydraulic Fracturing: Addressing Environmental and Health Issues
of Oil and Gas Leasing.

A full copy of the publication can be found and downloaded at:

http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/environmental
lawprogram/files/2014/07/ELPC-Fracking-Leaing-Guide-UPDATED-July-2014_booklet-2-page-
view.pdf


WV Host Farms Program Page 11


WV-SORO Annual Membership Meeting,
Saturday, August 23, 2014

Salem International University in Salem from 10AM-4PM

The meeting will be followed by a public screening of "Triple Divide" at 5PM. Lunch
will be provided. Please RSVP if you plan to attend so meals can be planned
accordingly. There is no charge for SORO members. There is a $10 registration fee for
guests and members are encouraged to bring a friend. RSVP to julie@wvsoro.org or
(304) 346-5891.

Membership Meeting Agenda

10:00 10:30 AM ~ Check-In/Registration Refreshments Available

10:30 10:45 AM ~ Welcome & Introductions

10:45 12:15 AM ~ Pipeline Presentations/Panel

Panelists:
Connie Anderson, WV DEP, Division of Water & Waste Mgt (confirmed) * Pipeline
& Hazardous Materials Safety Admin. (PHMSA) Representative (invited) * Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) (invited)
Moderator: Dave McMahon

12:15 1:00 PM ~ Lunch

1:15 1:30 PM ~ Short Self-Introduction (What Brought You Here Today?)

1:30 1:45 PM ~ Looking Back: Brief Overview of SORO History & Accomplishments

1:45 2:30 PM ~ Presentation Recommendations from Horizontal Well Act Studies
Dave McMahon

2:30 2:45 PM ~ Break

2:45 3:45 PM ~ Moving Forward/Setting Priorities Discussion of issues of concern
and how to address them

3:45 4:00 PM ~ Wrap-Up & Evaluations

4:00 5:00 PM ~ Dinner on Your Own

5:00 7:00 PM ~ Triple Divide Screening & Discussion (Open to Public)

www.wvsoro.org WV Surface Owners Rights Organiation

WV Host Farms Program Page 12

WV Host Farms Program is a grass roots, volunteer-based initiative of concerned citizens throughout
West Virginia. We provide access on our farms and private lands for academic researchers, journalists,
and others in the environmental community who desire to come to WV to study and document the
impacts of shale gas drilling and fracking.

We also advocate for local residents who have been adversely impacted by drilling & fracking.
Volunteers for WV Host Farms Program work in partnership with other organizations to provide
education and outreach. Our goal is to increase knowledge and understanding of the potential
environmental & health impacts associated with the shale gas extraction process known as horizontal
hydraulic fracturing.

For more information about WV Host Farms Program visit our website www.wvhostfarms.org or
contact us at: 304 873-3764 wvhostfarms@yahoo.com

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reference of a thoughtful, long time farmer compared to the time frame of reference of
someone in the extraction industry. I have one payday a year for cattle, one in 35 for
timber. It takes a decade or so to convert subsoil to fairly productive pasture. In today's
heated investment climate how far ahead do you have to consider what is going to
happen?
The loss to agriculture and timber production (and the rest) is an externalized cost of
shale drilling, paid by rural dwellers. This whole thing is a vast subsidy to your industry
extracted from people who live in the fracking zone.
We are caught by a turn of the law invented shortly after the birth of the Oil and Gas
industry by shrewd lawyers, who wanted to take not only what their bosses needed, the
pools they planned to exploit, but all they could tie up.
I intend to follow the law, but I am not a sheep and I will not facilitate my own shearing.
No, you don't have my permission to come on my property at all, now or later.

***********************
Ed. Note: Split estate situations are very common in WV. (One person owns the
surface land and another owns the minerals below.) Mineral ownership "trumps"
surface ownership. This means that when a mineral owner leases their minerals for
drilling, the surface owner must try to negotiate with the drilling company for
anticipated damages to their land before the drilling commences. If more harm is
done to the farmer's surface land than what was negotiated, it is the burden of the
surface landowner to bear the cost of litigation to try to recoup their actual losses
including the loss of value of their land from the drilling activity.