About 50 people gathered in front of the Tuscarawas County Courthouse on Saturday morning to protest possible sales of water by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District to oil and gas companies for fracking purposes.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Court met from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the courthouse. Protesters anticipated action regarding the sales of millions of gallons of fresh water from lakes and other sources in the district. However, only discussion of the topic was listed on the agenda, and no vote was taken to authorize any sales.
Displaying posters and large banners, or performing their own protest songs, the residents from several of the 18 counties that form the MWCD gathered to protest the sale of water to be used for fracking wells.
Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, is a way that natural gas is extracted from deep shale formations. After a well is drilled, water, sand and chemicals are injected by high pressure into the well. That fractures the shale, releasing the natural gas and other products from the fissures.
Protesters also are upset about Ohio’s new energy law, which allows companies to keep secret the chemicals used as they are considered proprietary information.
County Common Pleas Court judges from each of the 18 counties in the MWCD form the Conservancy Court. Eleven attended the session, including Judges Edward O’Farrell of Tuscarawas County, John Campbell of Carroll County, and Michael Nunner of Harrison County.
They heard a review of the laws regarding the sale of fresh water, presented by MWCD chief legal counsel James Pringle. He spoke about the two types of sales allowed — short-term and long-term. No terms have been established for any sales.
An overview of the oil and gas industry regarding Ohio was presented by Dr. Robert Chase of Marietta, who is widely respected for his knowledge regarding the industry.
The Conservancy Courts did decide Saturday to create the structure for conducting water sales, if sales are authorized. Three judges would be appointed to a panel to conduct hearings, listen to testimony and make recommendations to the full Conservancy Court.
A timeframe for appointing the panel hasn’t been determined, said Darrin Lautenschleger, MWCD public relations director.
During the session, Richard Pryce of North Canton was reappointed to his second five-year term on the MWCD Board of Directors.
About 10 people were allowed to address the court.
“The folks made their points,” Lautenschleger said. “We were glad they attended. I’m glad they were heard.”
During the rally, protesters handed out information stating that MWCD is competing against private landowners to sell water from public reservoirs. Holding up large signs and banners, many people stood on the street corners of the downtown New Philadelphia Public Square to show that they object to fracking and the potential water sales.
“When is a conservancy no longer a conservancy?” was the primary theme.
Leah Harper, a member of the Southeast Ohio Alliance to Save Our Water, spoke to the court.
“Some judges seemed to be listening, and others didn’t seem to hear anything,” she said afterward. Judge O’Farrell “let us share our notes and took our literature, and seemed to be receptive to what we were saying.
“It seemed they didn’t want to make a decision in front of us today,” Harper said. “We were told that it will be done in public, with the public being given prior notice. Everyone pulled together. It was a good day.”
Harper said that MWCD is competing with property owners. She believes that is especially unfair, because the MWCD was given the land when the district was formed.
“They did not get this land by earning it or buying it,” she said.
Katherine Hanratty, of Chardon in Geauga County, said that a family of four would use a combined total of 5.5 million gallons of water in 50 years, but “it takes, on average, 5.5 million gallons of water to frack one well.”
Robert West, of West Lafayette, said he wants clean water for his daughter and her future. Cyanna Skye West is 7 months old.
Alan Schwartz, of Licking County, said he is opposed to fracking.
“There are better ways to get energy,” he said. “They have exaggerated the benefits and minimized the risks.”
Schwartz underscored his opinions by playing guitar and singing several songs he wrote about fracking, fresh water, and oil and gas companies.
“Can you say, oops?” and “Can you say, trust me?” were among song lyrics that were well-received, based on reaction among the crowd.
“I am upset the MWCD is selling our water — I don’t believe it’s their water to sell,” said John Marvar, of Mansfield in Richland County, a member of Frack Free Ohio. “I don’t believe this is conservancy. Selling water to industry is not conservancy. They are destroying our water. It is not recoverable.”
Barb DeLuca of Noble County resides near Seneca Lake.
“I love where I live — the view is incredible,” DeLuca said. “I don’t agree with hydraulic fracking. That’s why I’m here today.”
Mansfield resident Bill Baker said, “I thought they were stewards of our water. We thought the conservancy district was protecting our water. The oil and gas reserves are not going anywhere. What’s the rush?”
Baker said residents have argued with Mansfield City Council, and council members have agreed to prohibit fracking within city limits. Baker was upset that Richland County’s Judge James Henson didn’t attend Saturday’s session.
Leslie Harper of Grand Rapids, Ohio, one of the featured speakers, spoke passionately about the shortage of water on a worldwide basis and her opposition to the MWCD selling water. She said she fears for her daughter’s future and the future of all generations to come.
Harper’s daughter had the last word among those commenting.
“I don’t know if there will be enough water when I’m grown up,” 11-year-old Ava Bowen said. “I might have to move to the moon to find fresh water.”
A rally to protect Ohio’s water is scheduled for June 17 in Columbus. More information regarding water conservation can be found at www.buckeyeforestcouncil.org.