Can We Protect Our Water?

Public Forum on the Ambridge Reservoir

and Natural Gas Drilling

Ambridge High School Auditorium

1:00-4:00 pm Saturday April 21st

Service Creek is High Quality Water designated and Cold Water Fishes protected stream in Beaver County. The J.C. Bacon dam impounds Service Creek, forming the Ambridge reservoir, the source for the Ambridge Water Authority to provide water to 35,000 customers.

The rapid development of gas drilling in the Marcellus and Utica shale underlying S.W. PA could pose a challenge to the integrity of our natural resource. This forum will provide area workers, consumers, professionals and leaders an opportunity to hear experts on some of the challenges posed by possible hydrofracking operations in the Service Creek watershed.

 

Event Chairman

Robert Schmetzer, South Heights Borough Council President

Panelists

Daniel J. Bain, PhD, Asst. Professor Dept. of Geology and Planetary Science, U. of Pgh; PhD. in Geography and Environmental Engineering Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore

Geology/hydrology – How does the geology and hydrology of this watershed respond to hydrofracking. What are the risks from above ground spills to the reservoir. What are the risks from subsurface migration to the reservoir.

Erika Staaf, BS Environmental Studies, Bucknell University, Clean Water Advocate for Penn Environment, Pittsburgh

History – What is the history of the impact on water resources of hydrofracking operations in PA.

Jill K. Kriesky, PhD Economics, Pitt Graduate School of Public Health, Senior Project Coordinator for the Center for Healthy Environment and Communities,

Public Health – What are the known public health impacts of hydrofracking operations, especially in regard to water.

Emily A. Collins, JD, Pitt Assistant Clinical Professor of Law and Supervising Attorney at Environmental Law Clinic, formerly Public Interest Council of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Legal – What is the federal, state, and riparian common law framework governing the Service Creek watershed, Service Creek and the Ambridge Reservoir.

The panelists will answer questions written on cards available at the beginning of the forum. After the panel there will be an opportunity for comments and discussion.

Sponsored by: Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Committee, John Pournaras Agency, Creekside Springs, Valley Realty, and W. PA Conference United Methodist Church Board of Churches Society

http://www.marcellusawareness.com

Labor and materials donated