We have been residents of Fayette County for 28 years. We have owned our current residence for seven years. Our rural community in Springhill Township was a serene, safe, picturesque small town, situated along the Monongahela and Cheat Rivers, nestled in the foothills of the glorious Allegheny Mountains. Life here was quiet. This was a beautiful place to live and raise our family, far from the bustle of the city. This was before the drilling.
We first noticed the gas activity when bulldozers invaded our hay fields to build access roads to well pads. It began only about 6 weeks after we signed on the land, having bought it with
the mineral rights, but without the oil and gas rights. Since coal mining was the issue around here and there had been little to no gas activity left in the area, we were made not to worry about the potential for development, and moved ahead with plans to build our dream home. This was before anyone knew the name Marcellus. Yet, in 7 years’ time, the man who owns the rights has put 4 shallow wells, one Marcellus well, and a pipeline across the property. We had no idea they could do this to the land or us.
The truck traffic is constant. Land damages were of course immediate. Trucks, noise, dust, and nomadic workers followed. Then came the pollution of our air and water, then deforestation and the destruction of fruit trees. They even managed to burn 10 acres of ground with a brush fire, set with used motor oil from a bulldozer’s oil change! Every hour, once an hour, it sounds like a landing jet visits our once quiet farm as well.
We have even had multiple leaking wells for over a year, ignored by the operators, and now we have a spring 200 feet from our house which is now so rich with gas, it can be set on fire.
Then came the transmission pipelines along with more nomadic workers and thousands of gallons of drilling chemicals in our beautiful, trout-stocked stream! And why? All because of an uncaring, dirty industry, driven by greed, selling their souls, and leaving our health, environment, and rights behind as waste. When will this nightmare end?
Dozens of neighbors and communities in whole have suffered. One next-door neighbor’s well was contaminated. They had to get municipal water after the industry denied responsibility. We know of at least 3 families having serious health problems; they have had to seek legal assistance. Increased loads on rural roads have led to numerous accidents and incidents. Crimes in the area have increased.
Our experience with our local and state officials and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has been mostly not caring, not responding, or denying. Those who do care usually express feelings of helplessness or frustration. Most say the industry lobbying and money is hard to fight against. Others admit that they are now called the “Don’t Expect Protection” and therein lies the truth.
Our once peaceful existence has forever changed. This industry is a loose cannon; we need to get a handle on it. Add layers of protection for all our people. Regulate and hold the industry accountable. Please slow the acceleration of this industry. Safe extraction and concern for the environment is a must! If we could put a man on the moon 40 years ago, we can find a better, safer, healthier way to fuel our future and our children’s future.
We have many photos, videos, and water and soil samples. Our air samples are pending. It’s too late for us. But we are willing to share anything that may help someone else.
- David Headley
Reprinted from Shalefield Stories with permission. Learn more about the Headley's story on their site.