Flower Mound Town Council Work Session Tonight at 6:00pm

There will be a work session tonight for the town council. It will be about seismic testing, wastewater pipelines and "tank farms".
http://www.google.com/calendar/event?eid=b3VkNW1vYzVtdXBpczUydTI3NnJ0cmlkNW9fMjAwOTEwMTVUMjMwMDAwWiB2MW5ic2w4Y2Mzdm1zYjFsMTdpcm1nN3NyMEBn&ctz=America/Chicago



Interesting that the guest list is anonymous by the request of the organizer. I am sure it will be a dog and pony show for the council trying to convince them that gas drilling is great, seismic testing is great, wastewater pipelines running under our homes to "tank farms" are great. Having up to 100 wells just in West Flower Mound is great. How about having a gas well and compressor station 1000' from Shadow Ridge Middle school? Great?

I wonder if the residents of Dish, Texas still think gas drilling is a "blessing" as one of our rural West Flower Mound residents put it?
http://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2104%3Asacrificed-to-shale&catid=30%3Acover-story&Itemid=375&limitstart=1

When will enough be enough? Natural gas drilling is hazardous and deadly to humans and animals.

Lets see how the Gas Mafia gets their way out of the events of the past month. I am sure they will put some spin on Wolf Eagle's Dish, Tx report.

Will Flower Mound be the new Dish?

Just take the time to read all the articles posted on this blog for the past year. You will see that the town of Dish is not the only place dealing with the dangerous effects of drilling. Watch this video taken with an infrared camera showing what is going into the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiU4ehXV-LI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Ftxsharon%2Eblogspot%2Ecom%2F2009%2F08%2Fclean%2Dburning%2Dnatural%2Dgas%2Dhas%2Ddirty%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded

Williams wants to drill up to 100 wells in Flower Mound!!! With that comes compression stations, waste water pipelines, "tank farms", seismic testing etc. That is just Williams. There are other gas drillers including, Keystone, Titan and Red Oak that want to drill and not in rural Flower Mound in the middle of neighborhoods and 1000' from Shadow Ridge Middle School.

Sign the petition to keep FM Oil & Gas Ordinance strong.
http://www.petitiononline.com/fmogord9/petition.html

Incredible article from the FW Weekly. A must read. Here are a few interesting paragraphs.

Though pipeline companies are private, federal law gives them the right to take property for pipelines through eminent domain. It's a reality that sticks in the craw of property owners and one that state legislators have thus far found no way to change.

At one location, the air sample contained benzene at 8.7 times the state-set level allowed for long-term exposure. Carbon disulfide was detected at more than 10 times the acute, or short-term, levels allowed by TCEQ regulations and more than 100 times what's allowed by the long-term standard. Napthalene concentrations were 3.6 times what's allowed by the state's long-term standard.
"In other words," Rich said, "it's a toxic soup out there."

One North Texas banker told the Weekly that the use of eminent domain and the rampant placement of industrial facilities like compressor stations and pipelines in residential areas is beginning to worry people in his own industry - for exactly the reason outlined by Paul. "We worry that the owner may not find his property has the value anymore to make it worth his or her while to pay the mortgage," said the banker, who asked that his name not be used. "And if the value sinks low enough, we might just call in the note as a premptive solution." Banks also might refuse to make new loans in similar areas, he said.

http://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2104%3Asacrificed-to-shale&catid=30%3Acover-story&Itemid=375&limitstart=1

Human Health Effects Associated with Chemicals Detected in the Air in Excess of TCEQ Short-term and Long-term Effects Screening Levels in DISH, Texas

Human Health Effects Associated with Chemicals Detected in the Air in Excess of TCEQ Short-term and Long-term Effects Screening Levels in DISH, Texas

From Wilma Subra
Acute Health Effects

Irritates Skin and Eyes - Benzene, Xylenes, Naphthalene, Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbon Disulfide, Carbonyl Sulfide, Methyl Ethyl Disulfide, Ethyl-Methylethyl Disulfide

Irritates Nose - Benzene, Xylenes, Naphthalene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbonyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide, Methyl Ethyl Disulfide, Ethyl-Methylethyl Disulfide

Irritates Throat and Lungs - Benzene, Xylenes, Naphthalene, Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbonyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide, Methyl Ethyl Disulfide, Ethyl-Methylethyl Disulfide

Headaches - Benzene, Xylenes, Naphthalene, Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbon Disulfide, Methyl Pyridine, Dimethyl Pyridine

Dizziness, Light Headed - Benzene, Xylenes, Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbon Disulfide, Methyl Pyridine, Dimethyl Pyridine

Nausea, Vomiting - Benzene, Xylenes, Naphthalene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbon Disulfide, Carbonyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide, Methyl Pyridine, Dimethyl Pyridine
Skin Rashes - Naphthalene

Fatigue - Naphthalene, Carbon Disulfide

Tense and Nervous - Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene

Personality Changes, Depression, Anxiety, Irritability --Carbon Disulfide

Confusion - Naphthalene

Unconsciousness - Carbon Disulfide

Drowsiness - Diethyl Benzene, Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene

Weakness - Carbonyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Disulfide

Muscle Cramps - Carbonyl Sulfide

Irregular Heartbeat (arrhythmia) - Carbonyl Sulfide



Chronic Health Effects Caused by
Repeated Exposures

Damage to Liver and Kidneys - Xylenes, Naphthalene, Diethyl Benzene, Carbon Disulfide

Damages Lungs - Naphthalene

Damages Developing Fetus - Naphthalene, Xylenes

Causes Reproductive Damage - Carbon Disulfide

Damages Nerves Causing Weakness and Poor Coordination
- Carbon Disulfide

Affects Nervous System - Carbonyl Sulfide

Affects the Brain - Carbonyl Sulfide

Carcinogen - Benzene

Leukemia - Benzene

May be a Carcinogen - causes nasal and lung cancer in animals - Naphthalene

Mutagen - Benzene

Teratogen - Developmental Malformations - Benzene

Aplastic Anemia - Benzene

Anemia - Naphthalene

Changes in Blood Cells - Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene

Affects Blood Clotting Ability - Trimethyl Benzene, Methyl-Methylethyl Benzene, Tetramethyl Benzene

Denton County town calls for natural gas regulations

Confirmation of what many already knew. Natural Gas Drilling and Operations are NOT "clean burning" at all. This could happen to any city here in North Texas. Another reason better regulation and accountability is needed for all gas drilling. Below are some articles and press releases.

We must demand that the gas drilling industry have respect for our health and safety. Another reason that strong local Oil & Gas Ordinances are important.



http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa091012_mo_dishcompressions.20f1c4733.html

DISH, Texas — A Denton County town of less than 200 is leading a charge for change.
The push began with Dish residents fighting for state oversight of natural gas pipelines. Now, scientists have confirmed their worst fears.
The tiny town has nearly a dozen gas compression engines, and it was a lingering smell in the air that led to initial concerns over air quality.
Many say it was lax state regulations that led the Town of Dish to be at the mercy of industrial pollution from natural gas compression stations.
The town, which has eleven engines pressurizing natural gas from pipelines within its limits, paid for its own study. Dish sits at the crossroads of nearly a dozen high-pressured lines.
"There were 16 total toxins that were above TCEQ-established limits," said Mayor Calvin Tillman, referring to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Tillman said some levels of cancer-causing agents and neurotoxins were 100 times above state standards.
"The industry has told us time and time again that what were smelling is just odorant; it's nothing that would harm us," Tillman said.
At a Dish Town Hall meeting Monday night, environmental scientist Alisa Rich told residents unusually high levels of benzene, carbon disulphide and xylene were discovered in the air.
"It's absorbed very readily in the lungs, often times resulting in GI problems," she said.
Dish town leaders called on companies to shut down the gas compressors until more tests are done.
"I would like to see a safety stand down," said one leader.
While most residents at the meeting said the news didn't send them into a panic, they said it has raised serious concerns.
"I'm definitely alarmed for the little one," said Zack Smith, a Dish resident, while standing next to his wife and young daughter. "I don't want to subject her to anything she shouldn't be subjected to, as well as I don't want to be subjected to anything I should be subjected to. I am beginning to wonder if that's the case."
The Texas Commission of Environmental Quality is also doing its own testing on Dish's air quality.
There are hundreds of gas compressors across North Texas. Environmental scientists say there has not been a lot of air testing done to keep up with the growth of the compressors.

NEWS RELEASEEmbargoed for release until: October 13, 2009
Contact:Calvin Tillman, Mayor of DISH Texas, (940) 453-3640
Kathy Chruscielski, Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project, 817-692-6206
Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper, 845 482 5400/845 901 1029
Gwen Lachelt, Earthworks, 970 259-3353
Jennifer Goldman, Earthworks, 406 587-4473

DISH, Texas – The Town of DISH, TX has announced that its air quality study found seven locations where carcinogenic and neurotoxic emissions violated limits set by the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The town commissioned the study – which cost 15% of its total budget – to assess the mega-complex of compressors, condensate tanks, and major pipelines that process and transport natural gas extracted from the Barnett Shale underlying the area.“Frankly, I didn’t think the results would come back as bad as they did,” said Mayor Calvin Tillman. “TCEQ needs to shut these compressors down immediately and until we can get emission controls that protect the residents living right up against this infrastructure.”
DISH’s study – performed by Wolf Eagle Environmental -- revealed benzene, a known carcinogen, at all seven sampling locations, with three samples exceeding the state’s limits. Other hazardous pollutants were also detected above regulatory limits. The Town – which commissioned the study after failed attempts to draw the attention of State regulators -- is now working to develop baseline data for community health impacts.

The Town of DISH serves as a warning for other communities dealing with the shale gas industry as it drills newly accessible deposits across the country, including Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Arkansas."Living with this type of infrastructure and development is difficult to imagine until it’s here. You can feel and hear the compressor engines roaring," says Kathy Chruscielski, a citizen activist with the Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project. "It's like living next to a 24 hour truck stop. Homeowners suddenly find themselves next door to an industrial zone with very little recourse at the federal and state levels."
In Horseheads, New York, Schlumberger – a $75 billion multinational energy company -- is proposing a 65-acre distribution and bulk chemical storage facility that will serve drilling and fracturing operations in the Marcellus Shale deposit.“Based on Horseheads’ welcome of Schlumberger, I don’t think the Village government really has thought about what’s coming,” says Wes Gillingham of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “Experience like DISH’s and others warn of the too often negative consequences of shale infrastructure.”
National groups focused on gas policy reform say that fixes are needed at both the federal and state levels, and enforcement is critical. The FRAC Act, introduced in both Houses of Congress by members representing shale gas regions, would start this process by ending a Cheney-era loophole to the Safe Drinking Water Act and require full disclosure of all drilling toxics.
“We need to get the balance right,” says Gwen Lachelt, Director of EARTHWORKS’ Oil & Gas Accountability Project. “The drilling industry’s track record repeatedly demonstrates that current regulation is inadequate. Fortunately, shale drilling is in its early stages, so it’s not too late to learn from decades of hard-won experience in the Rocky Mountain gas patch and elsewhere. That experience shows there is no substitute for federal and state oversight and enforcement. We can start with passage of the FRAC Act.”In DISH, Mayor Tillman echoes the statement about getting it right with what he calls the precautionary tale of DISH’s mega gas complex.
“The companies behind the gas complex gave us a great sales pitch. But that’s all it was. Turns out we needed stronger rules to make them walk their talk.”###The Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project is a campaign of EARTHWORKS.Catskill Mountainkeeper is a community based advocacy organization, working for the protection of natural resources essential to healthy communities. They are based in the Catskill Mountains of NY which is on top of the Marcellus shale.EARTHWORKS is nonprofit public interest organization that works with communities to address the destructive impacts of mineral development, in the U.S. and worldwide. Earthworks’ has offices in Washington, DC, Colorado and Montana.
WFAA Live report

Contaminants in air around Texas gas town: study
Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:41pm EDT

By Ed Stoddard
DALLAS (Reuters) - High concentrations of harmful compounds have been found in the air in a north Texas town that is in the heart of the region's gas industry, according to a report released this month by an environmental consultancy.
The study by Wolf Eagle Environmental Engineers and Consultants found high concentrations of carcinogenic and neurotoxin compounds in the atmosphere at seven locations around the rural town of DISH, which is about 50 miles northwest of Dallas.
Carcinogens are linked to cancers while neurotoxins are toxins that act on nerve cells.
The report said the levels of several of the substances exceeded those that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) uses as benchmarks or triggers that could prompt it to investigate or take action.
The TCEQ is conducting its own studies in the area.
DISH is on the Barnett Shale, a large geological formation in north Texas that contains vast amounts of natural gas. In and around the town are pipelines, wells and several compressor stations owned by a number of energy companies including Chesapeake, Atmos and Crosstex.
The town hired the consultancy to do the study.
"The chemicals and concentrations that we found are consistent with other facilities that we have tested in and around the Barnett Shale. Many of these chemicals are related to the scenting process of natural gas because natural gas has no odor," said Alisa Rich, president of Wolf Eagle.
"I'm extremely confident that this is linked to the gas industry," she told Reuters in an interview. The data was collected over a 24-hour period in August.
She said the compressor stations were a special cause for concern because of the volumes of gas pumped through them.
"Atmos Energy does not believe that its operations in the DISH area make any significant contribution to the emissions of the chemicals listed in the Wolf Eagle Engineering study," Atmos said in response to an e-mail query from Reuters.
"Atmos Energy is aware that the TCEQ is planning additional emissions testing in this area in the near future and will cooperate fully with those efforts," it said.
Chesapeake and Crosstex declined to comment.
DISH's Mayor Calvin Tillman told Reuters he would like to see the compressor stations shut down "until we can know with confidence that they are not emitting these toxins."
The report is the latest to link environmental and health hazards with America's booming gas industry.
In August, U.S. government scientists announced that they had found for the first time found chemical contaminants in drinking water wells near natural gas drilling operations, fueling concern that a gas-extraction technique is endangering the health of people who live close to drilling rigs.

Save Your Property Rights from Drillers

Below is an e-mail document that has been sent to us. We wanted to post it because we feel this is very important to all residents of Flower Mound, whether you own your minerals, don't own your minerals, signed a lease or have not signed a lease.

As stressed in previous posts, this is not just about rural west Flower Mound. Although that is what Williams and the Shiloh residents want us to believe. If the Oil & Gas Ordinance is changed to allow Seismic Testing and Waste water pipelines, all of Flower Mound will be impacted.

Williams is not the only gas drilling company that wants to drill in Flower Mound. Titan will be drilling on the Hilliard property very close to Shadow Ridge Middle School and densely populated neighborhoods. Keystone will be drilling near Wellington Estates near many homes, schools and parks. Red Oak still wants to drill in the middle of town at River Walk.

Seismic testing could be done anywhere near these sites so the gas company can maximize their profits. Williams sent a document to the town to indemnify them for any damage from performing this sort of activity. If it's not going to damage anything why would you ask for an indemnification?

Waste Water could be piped away from these sites to other "Tank Farms". Possibly placing these pipelines through neighborhoods and public areas. Pipelines may reduce the truck traffic on some streets, but they could add traffic to the areas where the "tank farms" are. Salt, one of the main ingredients in produced waste water, has long been known to kill vegetation http://ourohio.org/index.php?page=can-i-use-salt-to-kill-weeds. Also, as posted in many of the articles on this blog and in countless newspapers throughout the nation, toxic chemicals are also found in drilling waste water.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Let the Town Council know how you feel.

Sign the petition http://www.petitiononline.com/fmogord9/petition.html
Contact the Council
If possible, attend the work session on October 15th

Here is the Document that was sent

The Town has been asked, and is considering, making 2 changes to our Oil and Gas Ordinance.
1. Allow Seismic testing on the town’s public roads ways, which would include neighborhood streets.
2. Allow “produce water” (fracking wastewater) gathering and storage system that would transport produced water from other pad sites/location to a central storage location for removal by wastewater hauling trucks.

This was proposed by Williams Gas Drilling, but would impact all drilling companies in Flower Mound. Town staff denied William’s request (see Town fact sheet). Despite staff's position, Council is proceeding with approval. Mayor Smith & Council Member Levenick have both signed a Gas Lease with Williams. William has told leasees they will not drill and they will not get their big $ if this does not pass. (See October 5th Council meeting) Which is why over 600 rural residents have signed a petition asking the council to vote yes.

Why you should object to losing your property rights. VOTE “NO”

1. Wellington homeowners DO NOT own our Mineral Rights. Keystone Exploration purchased the mineral rights of Wellington. They also recently purchased a drill site on the corner of Skillern and River Hill Dr.
2. Texas Supreme Court has found that mineral rights are superior to surface rights. (The only thing protecting our property rights from drillers is our Town Ordinances).
3. Homeowners are not covered by insurance if Seismic activity causes damage.
4. If damage is caused to our HOA common property it also is our $$.
5. Burden of Proof for damage is on the damaged party (good luck on that one – read the Town fact sheet)
6. Wastewater is not just water or salt water. It contains highly toxic chemicals including known carcinogens. (See Article on Radio Active Waste)
7. Common carrier pipelines in Texas have a statutory right of eminent domain. They can put pipelines carrying these toxic chemicals in our yards, parks, and school (LISD has already leased their minerals). (See supporting information sheet for Texas Railroad url)
8. Pipelines break! When a pipeline breaks, you don’t notice until major damage has already occurred. Say it breaks in your backyard and your pets or kids find it first.
9. The Gas and Oil Industry are exempt from: The Clean Air Act, The Clean Water Act, and the EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT TO KNOW ACT and many more.
10. Williams is drilling 100 wells and wants 30 tanks in their “tank farm” less than 1 ½ miles from our homes and schools. (Read the Clean Air report from Dish Tx) What will Keystone and other drilling companies want to do???

Say No by signing the online petition: (Over 600 rural residents have asked Council to vote Yes) http://www.petitiononline.com/fmogord9/petition.html
Contact your Town Council and ask them to protect what is left of your property rights. Ask them to vote No to Seismic testing & Toxic Waste pipelines/”Tank Farms”. http://www.flower-mound.com/council/council.php

Supporting Information:
URL to last Monday night’s town meeting, where the Town Manager gave a report why the Town Staff said no to William’s request. Click on the October 5th video and select Managers Report. http://www.flower-mound.com/public/fmtv.php

URL to Town Fact Sheet under “Seismic Testing and Produce Water Gathering System”: http://www.flower-mound.com/env_resources/env_resources_ong.php

URL to the White paper that the Town distributed at Monday’s Meeting (Collection Facilities “Tank Farms”: http://www.ead.anl.gov/pub/doc/ProducedWatersWP0401.pdf

URL to the New Article on Radioactive waste surface…, which the Town distributed at Monday’s meeting: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-norms_11wes.ART.East.Edition1.420fc23.html

URL to Dish Tx air quality report: http://www...townofdish.com/
Another article in the DMN:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-seismic_11met.ART1.Central.Edition1.4c33dc9.html

1. Texas Supreme Court has found that mineral rights are superior to surface rights. What this means is that although oil and gas companies will often promise to keep all disturbance removed from actual residential settings, if it is necessary to conduct further exploration that necessitates the use of your land, whomever owns mineral rights or possesses a lease to mineral rights can enter your land at any point in time with no notice, and you cannot receive compensation for any damage caused by their incursion on your property except if the damage is caused maliciously. Unfortunately “Seismic Testing” is not considered malicious. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/173748/real_estate_market_woes_mineral_rights.html?cat=6
2. Common carrier pipelines in Texas have a statutory right of eminent domain. Common carrier pipelines are operators that transport oil, oil products, gas, carbon dioxide, salt brine, sand, clay, liquefied minerals or other mineral solutions.
For example, a pipeline transporting hazardous liquids would be a common carrier, and would have the right of eminent domain. A ‘common carrier’ pipeline transporting natural gas would be a ‘public utility’ (more commonly referred to as a ‘gas utility’), and also would have the power of eminent domain. The Railroad Commission does not have the authority to regulate any pipelines with respect to the exercise of their eminent domain powers. (http://www.rrc.state.tx.us/about/faqs/eminentdomain.php ).

Oil and Gas Industry exemptions: http://www.ewg.org/reports/Free-Pass-for-Oil-and-Gas/Oil-and-Gas-Industry-Exemptions

Sign the petition asking Council to vote NO. (Over 600 rural residents have a signed a petition asking council to vote yes. Don’t let your vote go uncounted)

Attend the October 15th Council Meeting @ 6:00. Residents will not be allowed to speak at the work session. Therefore if you have question send them to the council prior to the meeting.


Why Flower Mound Should NOT Negotiate with Williams to Change Gas Drilling Ordinance

If every gas driller incites “lease holders” to overrun city hall, Mobs will hold the town hostage and there will be nothing we as homeowners can do to protect ourselves from potential threats of:

- Drilling toxic waste,
- Un-insurable property damage,
- Property devaluation, and
- Cost of subsidizing drilling with our community tax dollars

Ordinance Change Briefing

Williams Drilling and Shiloh Road residences are asking for variances to our drilling ordinance. Williams is using pressure on the Shiloh Road to storm city hall. Williams has threatened not to drill on the Shiloh Road leases unless the Shiloh residence can get Flower Mound Town council to change the drilling ordinance. This ordinance change would allow for seismic testing and toxic wastewater piping in our neighborhood and near your homes, walls, pools, and ground piping.

We think that the Williams and the Shiloh Road group have a right to drill. Williams has been granted drilling permits by the Town of Flower Mound based on existing drilling ordinance. We do not think the town should approve or negotiate on Williams contract “paper” nor should they open the ordinance given the direct and aggressive impact Williams is trying to have on Flower Mound politics.

Flower Mound Home Owners Drilling Bill of Rights

Seismic damage is not covered by homeowners insurance therefore we do not want seismic events in our neighborhoods.

We do not want drilling within 1000 ft of our homes nor do we believe toxic waste should be piped through our neighborhoods.

We do not allow wastewater piping, tanks and infrastructure that produce toxic waste to be routed or located in our neighborhoods.

Homeowners, HOA’s nor City surface rights should NOT be taken away by changing the ordinance or offer code variances that would cause complex legal issues weakening the drilling code.

Taxpayers should not pay for or subsidize gas-drilling efforts. They are heavily subsidized and protected by the government already.

We recommend that air quality checks and other remediation and safety processes/standards be put in place to further protect town neighborhoods health and safety.

Call to Action:1. Sign the online petition. http://www.petitiononline.com/fmogord9/petition.html2. Contact your town council and tell them you don't want them to change the ordinance 3. Go to the October 15th (6:00) Town Council meeting. If you are unable to make it, please send e-mail with your concern

IMPORTANT: Sign the petition to keep FM O & G ordinance strong and attend the Town Council Meeting

The below e-mail was not generated from FMCAUD and was forwarded to us.

It is response to an e-mail circulating from the Shiloh Road Residents. We have been searching for info on high density neighborhoods, schools or parks that have experienced seismic testing and waste water pipelines and storage facilities. It seems as one Shiloh resident put it in the last Town Council Meeting, Flower Mound has the chance to be on the cutting edge of this new technology.

Again we have a gas company putting neighbor against neighbor. Convincing the Shiloh Residents that the rest of Flower Mound doesn't care about their plight and are jealous of their big lots and all the money they are going to make. Yes, we consider the Shiloh residents to be neighbors. Many are friends.

But, do we really want to be the "lab rats" for this? The question is still out there. Who is going to pay for any damage or liability that may result from the proposed activity? Four words come to mind......Flower Mound Tax Payers!!!

Let the town council know how you feel. Show up to the meeting tomorrow night. Town Hall, 6:00 pm. Sign the petition below to "Keep the Flower Mound Oil and Gas Ordinance Strong".

All members of a household over the age of 18 may sign the petition on a separate line.

Here is a email we received.



The Shiloh Road folks are misguided and misinformed. Before being the vocal minority for Williams and all gas drilling companies wanting to drill in Flower mound, they should check their facts.


Have the Shiloh Rd residents seen a copy of the actual agreement that was submitted to the Town? Or are they just spotting what Williams is feeding them?


I don’t believe that Williams has disclosed this agreement to them, because they continue to insist that this only affects their neighborhood. Do they really think the whole community cares what they do on their property. Don’t be puppets. Get the facts in writing.


Williams has asked for Seismic Testing and wastewater collection facilities and pipelines that is not limited to the Shiloh Rd area, but to be extended to any area that they obtain leases. This would have to adopted for all drilling companies.


Williams signed lease agreements with the Shiloh Road area, knowing that seismic testing and wastewater collection sites with pipelines were not allowed in our ordinance. They are a big company with lots of attorneys that are paid to know this stuff. They are now telling these residents if they don’t get the town to change their ordinance they, Williams, won’t drill and the residents will not benefit from future royalty payments. Which they are claiming in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. (Sounds like extortion.)


Williams stated that they will maximize their profits only if they can do seismic testing on the town’s streets.


Why is it the town’s and residents responsibility to maximize Williams profit, while risking $450 million dollars of the town’s assets?


Residents are not insured for potential damage to their sidewalks, retaining walls, home foundation, and pools. Why should we take on William’s risk?


If these people who signed a lease are confident with Furgo Engineering's report that no damage will be caused by vibrational seismic testing; Let them do the testing in their driveways and yards. Why would Williams ask for complete indemnification if they felt that there was no risk?


The test mentioned below (their communication) was done in a big dirt field, not on concrete next to homes, retaining walls, sidewalks, or swimming pools.


Shiloh Rd. lease holders signed agreements for gas drilling, knowing that seismic testing and wastewater collection sites with pipelines were not allowed in our ordinance.


If they didn’t want trucks coming through their neighborhood they shouldn't have signed a lease until an ordinance was in place. This is exactly like developers buying residential land and expecting the Town to change it zoning to a chemical plant in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Smart developers get an option on the land until the zoning has been changed.


The Shiloh Rd. residences and Williams demanding an immediate change to our ordinance because Williams lease agreement term is expiring. This issue does not relieve the town from their obligation of due diligence. They represent the whole community.

It is not a simple request. Just understanding how to identify and deal with a pipeline break is difficult. Laws exempting the Gas and Oil industry from disclosing what the chemical makeup of the fracking watste”water(?)” the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act limit the town’s ability to deal with risk. Just think of it this way, if a truck turns over you know it immediately. If a pipeline leaks or breaks you wouldn’t know it until vegetation and potentially animals and people start dying. This is a lot of risk.

I ask residents to not be angry with the Shiloh Rd. people. I think they have let Williams hood wink them, and potentially extort them into believing that they are the only ones affected by what is happening; while, behind their backs asking the Town and all its residents to take on their risks while Williams receives the reward.

I guess it goes back to the old adage “You can’t get something for nothing”. There is always a price to pay. Ask yourself what you are willing to risk? If the risk is too much, please tell
Town Council at Monday’s meeting. The meeting is at town hall at 6:00.

If you agree with the above e-mail sign the petition

Keep Flower Mound's Oil and Gas Ordinance Strong
http://www.petitiononline.com/fmogord9/petition.html


We did not include the Shiloh Road Residents e-mail blast because we did not receive it directly.

Keep Flower Mound's O & G Ordinance Strong. Sign the Petition

At this moment Flower Mound’s Oil and Gas Ordinance is being challenged again. Williams Production, with the support of the residents in rural West Flower Mound, wants to change the ordinance.

The ordinance regulates gas drilling and protects the town. Whether you have signed a lease, not signed a lease, or do not own your mineral rights, you should be very concerned about any changes to the Oil & Gas Ordinance. Many of you that have signed leases did so with the current ordinance in place. Please read and sign the petition. The link is below towards the end of this e-mail

Williams wants to do Seismic testing throughout the town on public roads not just in West Flower Mound. Our roads were not designed to bear the weight of 2 60,000 pound trucks moving slowly sending vibrations through the ground. In the past, this has been done in mostly rural areas on private property. The effects to foundations are unknown. Williams has sent the town an agreement that totally indemnifies them of any liabilities. If they allow this to the ordinance all the other gas drilling companies will request the same. Insurance companies do not cover this type of damage. Any damage will be your financial responsibility.

They want to include waste water pipelines and seismic testing. The reason given is that waste water pipelines would reduce truck traffic in their neighborhood. But in reality, there will still be trucks bringing water, sand, and equipment to the well site and trucks going to and from this Waste Water site. In addition to that, waste water pipelines would be installed 4 feet below underground throughout the town to transport drilling waste from current and future pad sites. Detecting leaks would be very difficult and would not be known until contamination has occurred. Remember, if it is in the ordinance, other gas drilling companies can request to do this too. In Pittsburgh waste water pipelines were the source of contamination of a lake in a park killing fish, salamander, crayfish and aquatic insect life. What if it had been under a house, garden or pool? Since the gas drilling companies don't have to disclose what is in their drilling and fracking fluid, do we really want this waste water going under our neighborhoods and throughout our community?

Our ordinance is strong and recently held up in the court of law. It is our only protection for our quality of life, homes, and schools. If it is opened up for revision there could be changes to the variances as well.


What do you need to do to protect your personal property, pocket book, and family?

1. Sign the online petition. http://www.petitiononline.com/fmogord9/petition.html


2. Contact your town council and tell them you don't want them to change the ordinance (Contact Info. Below)

3. Go to the October 5th (6:00) Town Council meeting. If you are unable to make it, please send an e-mail with your concerns. (Williams and the rural lease holders have been pressuring council at council meetings and asking them to have a decision this week.)Council Members

Info
Mayor
Jody A. Smith
3705 Sarah Springs Trail, 75022
817.480.3211
mayor@flower-mound.com

Place 1 Council member
Steve Dixon
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem
4604 Wisdom Creek Court, 75022
972.355.8132
place1@flower-mound.com

Place 2 Council member
Al Filidoro
3213 Augusta Drive, 75028
972.539.2145
place2@flower-mound.com

Place 3 Council member
Mike Wallace
2913 Trailwood Lane, 75028
469.293.5405
place3@flower-mound.com

Place 4 Council member
Jean M. Levenick
Mayor Pro Tem
2716 Gentle Drive, 75022
817.430.2252
place4@flower-mound.com

Place 5 Council member
Tom Hayden
4213 Huntwick Lane, 75028
972.899.0655
214.384.1105
place5@flower-mound.com