PCEC http://www.envirocouncil.org Park County Environmental Council Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:31:25 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 WILSALL SHOWING OF SPLIT ESTATE 1-26-12 http://www.envirocouncil.org/wilsall-showing-of-split-estate-1-26-12/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/wilsall-showing-of-split-estate-1-26-12/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:31:25 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=606 Split Estate Poster 2

 

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 posterpg

]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/wilsall-showing-of-split-estate-1-26-12/feed/ 0 PCEC’S SKI DAY IS BACK FOR 2012 http://www.envirocouncil.org/pcecs-ski-day-is-back-for-2012/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/pcecs-ski-day-is-back-for-2012/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:25:07 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=600 SKI DAY POSTER

FEBRUARY 11th -

 9am to 4 pm -

 $25 Adults - 

$10 Kids 7 to 12 -

 under 6 , it’s free

 you must call the ranch to make a reservation & get directions

848-7729

FREE LUNCH with

30 K of groomed trails

NO PETS -EVEN IN VEHICLES PLEASE

 ALL PROCEEDS GO TO HELP SUPPORT PCEC

 

          
   
       
      

 

 
     
   
   
   
   
]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/pcecs-ski-day-is-back-for-2012/feed/ 0 To All Of Our Donors http://www.envirocouncil.org/to-all-of-our-donors/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/to-all-of-our-donors/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:48:07 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=593 I want to take just a moment to personally say a big “Thanks!” for your contribution to PCEC (Park County Environmental Council). There aren’t many county-based organizations like PCEC but as you probably know, Park is not a typical county.  From Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley on the south to the Crazy Mountains [...]]]> I want to take just a moment to personally say a big “Thanks!” for your contribution to PCEC (Park County Environmental Council). There aren’t many county-based organizations like PCEC but as you probably know, Park is not a typical county.  From Yellowstone National Park and Paradise Valley on the south to the Crazy Mountains and the Shields River Valley in the north, this is historic and beautiful country with a rich heritage of both human development and protection of the natural environment. PCEC has an important role to play in this heritage and your contribution helps us to do that.

 In 2012 I’m thinking specifically of the Shields River valley north of Livingston, which is the location of natural gas extraction within a few years. One of PCEC’s major programs centers on the Park County Natural Gas Committee, which we hope will provide education, guidance and advocacy for the Shields Valley environment, in particular the water resources. 

 This reminds me of something my wife said while we were touring around the Crazy Mountains last fall: “A lot of the concern is about water isn’t it? The ranchers have to have clean water to stay in business. People like me who love to fish need unpolluted streams.  The wildlife relies on the same thing. The gas companies will touch huge areas of the underground water and need whole lakes of water for their processes. No wonder people are nervous about this.” “Yup,” I said.

 It’s a balancing act, keeping growth of all kinds from exerting destructive pressure on the living environment, people included. Sometimes, like around Yellowstone Park people can love the wilderness to death. Other times, some people are inclined to shy away from preservation in favor of making money or satisfying a demand for resources.  PCEC and its programs reflect a broad range of environmental concerns as well as the willingness to work with people on all sides of the issues. That’s what I mean by a balancing act and frankly your outstanding contribution helps us to have the flexibility to act quickly when needed and to plan and carry out programs that sometimes take years.

 We deeply appreciate your generosity, and hope that you will continue to follow the work of PCEC throughout the year.

Nelson King

President

PCEC Board of Directors

]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/to-all-of-our-donors/feed/ 0 SAVE THESE DATES ! http://www.envirocouncil.org/save-these-dates/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/save-these-dates/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:17:00 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=590 FEB. 11th -  PCEC  ANNUAL SKI

DAY – B BAR RANCH ( you’ll have

to call PCEC to reserve a spot & get

the details)

 

 

MAY 5th -  2012 ELECTRONIC

RECYCLING EVENT – PARK CO.

FAIRGROUNDS  10am – 3pm

 

MORE DETAILS SOON  ON BOTH EVENTS

]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/save-these-dates/feed/ 0 Industry’s Gas Presentation for Park Co. LTE http://www.envirocouncil.org/industrys-presentation-for-park-co-lte/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/industrys-presentation-for-park-co-lte/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:25:49 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=586  Dear Editor

As people are learning, natural gas extraction is most likely coming to the Shields Valley. Estimates for it happening are around five years, sooner or later depending on the price of natural gas. As an indicator, this past Tuesday (Nov. 29) a presentation by the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation [...]]]>  Dear Editor

As people are learning, natural gas extraction is most likely coming to the Shields Valley. Estimates for it happening are around five years, sooner or later depending on the price of natural gas. As an indicator, this past Tuesday (Nov. 29) a presentation by the Montana Board of Oil and Gas Conservation and the Montana Petroleum Association at the City-County Complex provided the industry perspective concerning the history and status of the oil and gas industry in Montana. 

From the perspective of the Park County Natural Gas Committee, I’d like to make a couple of representative points:

The majority of the presentation was about the hydraulic fracturing process (“fracking”) with the intent of not only explaining how it is used but to indicate that it is environmentally safe. The industry continually refers to fracking as a process developed 60 years ago, implying that it is tried and true.  Here in Park County the process that will be used is actually “horizontal fracturing”, where fracking is performed horizontally for thousands of feet in layers of shale. This process was introduced in the late 1990’s and is still under development. Most of that development involves not one well but a “pad” of up to 32 wells with horizontal fracturing in all directions. The interactions with the underlying geology are obviously complex, especially when there are hundreds of pads in one area. This is new technology and it is not yet proven ‘safe’ for groundwater. This leads to the second point.

I was surprised to hear Mr. Dave Galt, from the Montana Petroleum Association (as quoted in the Enterprise, 12-1-11), refer to EPA testimony last May that there was no known contamination of water from fracking. In November of this year the EPA announced it found fracking chemicals in the drinking water at Pavillion, Wyoming (http://www.propublica.org/ article/epa-finds-fracking-compound-in-wyoming-aquifer).   

The bigger picture here, left largely unaddressed by the industry presentation last week, is not just “fracking” or bad things that may or may not happen to underground water but a bundle of issues involving natural gas extraction in an area such as the Shields Valley. From potential water and air pollution to massive water use, pipeline and storage spills, truck traffic, social impact on schools and law enforcement, infrastructure expansion and the economic costs as well as benefits, there are many things to be considered by the people of Park County. It’s helpful to hear the industry tell its story, but it should be only part of a more comprehensive dialog.

Kerry Fee

Chairman

Park County Natural Gas Committee

]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/industrys-presentation-for-park-co-lte/feed/ 0 WE WANT OUR TOWN BACK ! http://www.envirocouncil.org/we-want-our-town-back/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/we-want-our-town-back/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:47:41 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=582 Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters WATFORD CITY, N.D. (CNNMoney) — For those who have spent their entire lives in the previously quiet farm towns that dot the northwestern corner of North Dakota, the discovery [...]]]>

Locals To Big Oil: We Want Our Town Back!

North Dakota Oil Boom Attracts Thousands To Small Towns

 

Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters
WATFORD CITY, N.D. (CNNMoney) — For those who have spent their entire lives in the previously quiet farm towns that dot the northwestern corner of North Dakota, the discovery of oil in the Bakken formation has been anything but fortuitous. The thousands of people from around the country flocking to these boomtowns has led to a housing shortage and an increase in traffic, crime and frustration among the locals who feel like their small, close-knit towns are now gone forever. “At first, we were excited about the prospect of bringing in new people and money … but it slammed us so hard, in such a little time that a lot of locals now are kind of resentful,” said Deone Lawlar, a 57 year old native of Watford City, which is located in the middle of the oil play. “Now we want our town back.” The land Lawlar’s home is built on has belonged to her family for generations. Last year, the dirt trail that led to her house was extended past her home by an oil exploration company to build two oil rigs, a pipeline company and housing facilities for oil workers. Now, the once-solitary road plays host to semi trucks at all hours of the day. Many drivers throw trash out their windows as they speed by. Lawlar said she even came home one evening to find a truck driver urinating on her lawn. “The quiet peaceful country life as we know it is a thing of the past,” said Lawlar. She and her husband used to joke that their next move would be to the cemetery. Now, it looks like it might be Bismarck. Housing shortage sends prices soaring If Lawlar does decide to move, there will undoubtedly be someone ready to grab up her land. A housing shortage has sent rents soaring to levels typically seen in big cities like Manhattan and San Francisco. One-bedroom apartments can run around $1,500 a month, while two- to three-bedroom apartments are often around $3,000. Even locals who have been renting their homes for years are getting surprise rent increases from landlords eager to cash in. Kristen Pallacheck, a nurse at Bethel Lutheran Nursing Home and a Williston native, saw her rent triple this year. “People are getting greedy, and we’re losing people who have lived here their whole lives,” she said. “It’s hard to make ends meet, especially with two little kids. How does a nursing home keep up with the oil fields?” Dangerous roads ahead Along with oil companies and the workers who have flocked to work for them, have come dozens of semi trucks that are being used haul crude, water, sand and other supplies from the various well sites and rigs. Roads are getting torn apart as a result, leading to more accidents. According to the Williston Police Department, the number of accidents it investigated jumped 30% last year to 974, and traffic misdemeanors have also increased 30% year-over-year, from 324 in 2009 to 421 in 2010. “I drive 15 miles to work everyday with my two children and we have about at least two to three near car accidents a week,” said Michelle Falcon-Nelson, who lives in Williston. “The traffic is horrible and our road infrastructure was not ready for the hundreds of oil field trucks that tear it up. This week alone, there were four semi truck accidents in four days.” But it isn’t just the bad roads that have residents concerned. Crime of all types — theft, violence, abduction, sex crimes, domestic abuse — has tripled, with 16,495 reports of criminal activities in Williston last year. Josslyn Finck, who has lived in nearby Watford City for eight years, said she used to feel safe because she lived across the street from a police officer. But then she found out that someone siphoned the gas out of his police car in the middle of the night. Now, she won’t even let her kids play in the yard. The Williston Police Department counts a mere 22 officers in its ranks and has been trying to recruit more men and women, but the housing shortage and the lure of big-money working on the oil rigs has made it next to impossible. David Peterson, a detective at the Williston Police Department, said that if the town’s infrastructure, including the police department’s staffing, isn’t able to catch up with the surging population, he would like to see an end to the wave of people coming into his town. “A lot of people in other parts of the country are saying, ‘I’d do anything for a job’, and here I’m telling you I’d like to see this go?” he said. “It’s because of the problems it’s created with everything — with law enforcement, with our streets, with our restaurants, with our traffic, with our housing.” Not the ‘middle of nowhere’ anymore For many locals, these concerns — along with worries about the long-term environmental impact the oil play is having on their land — outweigh the economic boom that has been spurred by the newly-discovered oil of the Bakken formation. “While the majority of us appreciate the additional revenue the energy industry brings to our community, the problem for a lot of us is that it’s not just our community anymore,” said David Rolfson, who has farmed in Watford City all his life. “We liked it better when it was ‘the middle of nowhere’.” Harold Hugelen, who has lived in the 1,000-person town of Belfield for the last 40 years and owns a local bar and restaurant, said all the money in the world isn’t worth the chaos that has been brought to his town. “Business-wise, it’s been great — the cash has been rolling in,” he said. “We all work all our lives to get enough cash to do what we want: to retire, to have our little spot. And okay, so I’ve got this big pile of cash, but now I don’t have this little private spot anymore, and where do I go? I can’t find that anymore.” Carol Borlaug and Wanda Goetz, friends who both grew up in Williston, recently decided to throw in the towel and move away from the town they hoped to retire — and eventually die — in. “I will come back to be buried here, that’s in my will. This is my home,” said Goetz, who has lived in Williston for 61 years. “I was talking to myself this morning, and I thought, ‘How am I gonna’ feel when I have to shut this door? I sold my house and have to be out by the first of November, and how is it gonna’ feel to walk out of that door?’”

Copyright CNN 2011
]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/we-want-our-town-back/feed/ 0 Good advice from Texas for MT landowners http://www.envirocouncil.org/good-advise-from-texas-for-mt-landowners/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/good-advise-from-texas-for-mt-landowners/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:27:45 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=576 Comment: Thanks for the interview on fracking in the Livingston paper.  A friend shared it with me. So glad to link up with others concerned about this latest and unashamed assault on our planet.  Energy, yes; responsibility and accountability, yes; destruction, no.  Below is a copy of the comment posted to that article/interview, with [...]]]> Comment:
Thanks for the interview on fracking in the Livingston paper.  A friend shared it with me.
So glad to link up with others concerned about this latest and unashamed assault on our planet.  Energy, yes; responsibility and accountability, yes; destruction, no.  Below is a copy of the comment posted to that article/interview, with all due appreciation and thanks.

“Glad someone is on watch in Montana. I live in South Central Texas in the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale activity, a frantic rush for gas and oil money, where production is a mixture of oil and very toxic gas (wet gas). People are receiving hundreds of thousands and millions, no doubt. Tax money is pouring into county coffers. But at what price?  The mix is stored in batteries of tanks and separators. Toxic gases are vented and burned off (flared) until the required closed loop system can be put in place.  Some people have been hospitalized with toxins in their blood and told to move out of their homes away from the vapors given off or be dead in a year.  Oil is stored and trucked out until enough pipelines can be laid–a spiderweb across the county.  When gas prices are down, none is sold. In hard NE winters, gas prices soar, and gas is sold again. Meanwhile, “dry” (i.e. no mix with oil) gas wells are shut down.  As I understand the current activity, shale formations differ, so methods of production differ. Shale is basically rock; oil and gas are “stored” in it by nature in microscopic form under very high pressure at depths before considered unreachable. Toxic chemicals and high-pressure pulses called “fracking” release the microscopic content, forcing sand into the rock fractures to hold them open so the chemicals can do their work.  Explosion is not quite the process; “pockets of gas” is not quite the correct description–at least down here. Drilling pipelines and both their concrete and steel casings have been known to rupture anywhere between the surface and the destination levels of shale, spilling regular drilling fluids and the very toxic and “proprietary” or still “trade secret” chemicals into the geology at that point-which can include aquifers and people’s water well sources.  Some are being made public; but a Supreme Court decision still protects those the industry labels “proprietary” and you and I will never know what has entered our water, air or soil until some doctor has to be told what he is expected to diagnose and treat.  The time to test your water is BEFORE company reps show up any testing takes place.  If there is a knock on your door by a landman, test your water before you even answer the door.  It may already be contaminated if testing and/or drilling has taken place. This contaminated state then becomes your “baseline” and in court the oil and gas companies can claim that your water was already contaminated before they got to it.  Because if you did not have it tested before they set foot on yours or your neighbor’s land, you have no argument.  This is like the “thief in the night” about which the Gospel warns. These money-bearing lease signers from the land of “black gold” or “invisible gold” can be like wolves in sheep’s clothing if one is not prepared to recognize the dangers involved.  Some companies may be honest and have a conscience. Some may not. Learn to know the difference.    Cf. Bluedaze Blog by Sharon Wilson in the Barnett Shale around Ft. Worth-Arlington, TX for some things to watch for.

From Sister Elizabeth Riebshlaeger

]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/good-advise-from-texas-for-mt-landowners/feed/ 0 RENDEZVOUS AUCTION ITEM UPDATE http://www.envirocouncil.org/rendezvous-auction-item-update/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/rendezvous-auction-item-update/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 18:48:50 +0000 kerry.fee http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=561

Here’s a really “cool” donation by our very own PCEC board member Jesse Logan below   Winter Wonderland Getaway & Eco-Ski Tour – Cooke City & Silver Gate 2 nights lodging Pine Edge Cabins, Silver Gate breakfast for two for two consecutive mornings [...]]]>  An original watercolor by David Swanson

 thanks David

Here’s a really “cool” donation by our very own PCEC board member Jesse Logan below
 
Winter Wonderland Getaway & Eco-Ski Tour – Cooke City & Silver Gate
  • 2 nights lodging Pine Edge Cabins, Silver Gate
  • breakfast for two for two consecutive mornings Loving Cup Cafe, Cooke City
  • dinner gift certificate $50.00 Miner’s Saloon, Cooke City
  • 2nd dinner hosted by donors, Catherine & Jesse Logan, Silver Gate – evening before ski tour
  • backcountry, eco-ski tour guided by Dr. Jesse Logan: “Red on White”, Whitebark Pine & Mountain Pine Beetle disturbance ecology

For scheduling (Feb. through March) contact Catherine P. & Jesse A. Logan at 406-333-4850, or via email: catherineplogan@gmail.com, logan.jesse@gmail.com

 

A HALF DAY WITH MATT WILHELM

Thank you all for participating in this fundraiser for PCEC.

 The winner of this donation will have their choice of either a

half day guided fishing trip, or a half day fly fishing lesson. (value $350).

 The trip includes gear, tackle, flies, and lots of fun!

Please contact Matt Wilhelm to discuss the details and set a date for some fun on the river.

 Thanks again for participating.

 Matt Wilhelm

Yellowstone Fly Fishing School

 223-0918

www.yellowstoneflyfishingschool.com

 

-A SEA KAYAKING TRIP IN BAJA  donated by

Mary Harter

Sea & Adventures / Mar Y Aventuras and the Posada LunaSol
Hi Folks:
 
Here is some info about ONE of the Kayaking Trips to Baja we will be auctioning off Sept 10th. This one is for 2 people. Go to www.kayakbaja.com for more info. The bidder can also select one of the companies longer trips for one person.
 

What is a quick getaway?

Our quick getaways are 2-5 day trips (not including your travel days to and from Baja) ranging in price from $250-$725 with limited inclusions. They are skiff-supported, budget minded sea kayaking and whale watching base camp trips ideal for families with small children and/or folks limited on time and/or first time campers or paddlers and/or folks wanting to combine a sea kayaking or whale watching trip with visiting other areas of Baja. Skiffs (30 foot motorized boats) are available at our quick getaway base camps equipped with large coolers full with ice facilitating cold drinks and fresh food throughout your trip. The skiffs are also useful as support vehicles for tired paddlers, whale watching outings and transportation to snorkeling hot spots otherwise not accessible by kayaks.

Espiritu Santo Island base camp

3-5 days / $450 – $700. Discover the white sand beaches, turquoise waters, towering volcanic cliffs and friendly sea lions of this island paradise on a quick trip to our luxury beach base camp. Activities on this trip include sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking and fishing.

Included:

All meals and beverages (including cold Mexican beer and cocktail each evening) from lunch day 1 through breakfast the last day of the trip, community camp equipment including kayaks and associated equipment, tents, motorized skiffs, captains, guides and crew/cooks.

Not included:

Airfare, airport-hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, meals other than those at camp, personal gear such as sleeping bags, pads, snorkel gear and wet suits (available for rent in La Paz) and guide gratuities.

Whale watching Magdalena Bay base camp

2-4 days / $325 – $725. Experience the gray whale up close and personal while enjoying the luxury accommodations of our beautiful bayside beach camp nestled in the dunes complete with 10×12 walk-in canvas tents and sleeping cots. Activities include whale watching from motorized skiffs, sea kayaking the mangrove estuaries, bird watching, dune hiking and beachcombing on the remote Pacific coast of Magdalena island.

Included:

All meals and beverages (including cold Mexican beer and cocktail each evening) from breakfast day 1 through lunch the last day of the trip, community camp equipment including kayaks and associated equipment, tents, motorized skiffs, captains, guides and crew/cooks.

Not included:

Airfare, airport-hotel transfers, hotel accommodations, meals other than those at camp, personal gear such as sleeping bags, pads, snorkel gear and wet suits (available for rent in La Paz) and guide gratuities.

A STAY AT THE HARRISON HOMESTEAD

Two night (Friday/Sunday based upon availability) stay at the Harrison House on the Vermillion Ranch for 4 guests. Included is a guided float fishing trip for 2 on the Yellowstone River. Ranch guests can wade fish all of this water and fish the private ponds on the property. In addition to the Yellowstone River, the ranch is within a short distance of the Boulder River, the Stillwater River, as well as numerous private lakes and spring creeks.  These waters are home to Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout who eagerly attack dry flies and nymphs. Total Value $1200.00                                                                         

The Harrison Homestead is one of the oldest homes in Sweetgrass County. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the recently renovated home features four bedrooms, three baths, a wonderful deck and extremely comfortable furnishings. The homestead is set in the middle of the Vermillion Ranch, an 800-acre ranch recently protected by a conservation easement. The Yellowstone River traverses the property for two miles and offers world-class fishing all year

donated by Sweetwater Travel

 

-A “DINNER & A MOVIE” AT WALT WEISSMAN’S SNOWY RANGE RANCH

FOR UP TO 10 GUESTS. PRIVATE DINNER PARTY WITH CHEF CASEY WILLIAMS (who cooked for Anthony Bourdain of No Reservation). NOT ONLY COOKING BUT SHOWING YOU HOW AND WHAT HE IS DOING THAT NIGHT w MARGOT KIDDER AS YOUR WAITRESS FOR THE DINNER, THEN A MOVIE AT WALT’S HOME THEATER FROM HIS COLLECTION TO CAP THE NIGHT OFF.

-A FRAMED PRINT BY TOM MURPHY
-PATAGONIA WOMAN’S WINTER PANTS
-2 PARKS REECE PRINTS
-STAY FOR 2 @ CHICO WITH A $100 CERTIFICATE FOR YOU MEAL
-SIGNED BOOKS BY TOM McGUANE, TOM & MERIDITH BROKAW AND ANDREA & DOUG PEACOCK
-MEAL GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM THE RIB & CHOP HOUSE
-A MASSAGE, STYLE & HAIRCUT FROM TANGLES
-ARTWORK BY DORIS GALLAGHER
-PHOTOS BY JOANNE BERGHOLD
-ARTWORK BY DAVID SWANSON
-A COMPLETE READY TO FLY KITE FROM THE LIVINGSTON KITE CO.

there will be many other silent auction items also.

Catering by Mustang Catering  – Beer & Wine provided by PCEC ( there will be a open bar to purchase other types of drinks)

Jimbo Logan will be our auctioneer and Nelson King will be your M C

]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/rendezvous-auction-item-update/feed/ 0 End of summer rendezvous http://www.envirocouncil.org/end-of-summer-rendezvous/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/end-of-summer-rendezvous/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:34:46 +0000 nelson.king http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=547

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]]> http://www.envirocouncil.org/end-of-summer-rendezvous/feed/ 0 New PCEC Membership Program http://www.envirocouncil.org/new-pcec-membership-program-3/ http://www.envirocouncil.org/new-pcec-membership-program-3/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 07:20:58 +0000 nelson.king http://www.envirocouncil.org/?p=534

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