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More gas, oil drilling set for Moreland Hills
(by Sali McSherry - September 11, 2008)
More gas, oil drilling set for Moreland Hills
By SALI McSHERRY
A third gas- and oil-drilling operation is scheduled to begin in Moreland Hills next week, according to Mayor Susan C. Renda. Two other sites, at Chagrin Valley Country Club and at Charles Lang's Chagrin River Road property, have been drilled, she said last week.
Moreland Hills issued a driveway permit Friday to Gonzoil Inc., of Canton, which is ready to drill on resident John Jackson's 35 acres on Bentleyville Road near Chagrin Boulevard. The site is near residents in Moreland Hills and Chagrin Falls.
William Johnson, who lives on Chagrin Boulevard in Chagrin Falls, said that, while he understands that drilling is necessary to the nation's economy and self-reliance, he's concerned about the safety and noise of the operation in a residential area. He said he's upset that he and other neighbors had not been notified sooner.
Mr. Johnson said he's concerned about the potential for explosion and release of hazardous substances and environmental damage, including the potential tainting of wells in the area and the disruption of peace.
Ohio House Bill 278 took away local municipalities' ability to regulate gas- and oil-well drilling in 2004.
In her Sept. 8 letter to affected residents in Moreland Hills and Chagrin Falls, Mrs. Renda said, "As you may know, this drilling is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Thus, Moreland Hills has no control of the drilling process, including hours of operation."
ODNR issued a permit to Gonzoil earlier this summer. Gonzoil was to notify neighbors of the drilling operation this week, Mrs. Renda said.
According to the company, she said, drilling will continue for 24 hours a day for about five days. The noise level at 500 feet from the well will be about the sound level of a large semi-truck, she said.
While there will be significant traffic on Chagrin Boulevard during the period leading up to the drilling and after the drilling is completed, due to construction, she said, there won't be any truck traffic at night. The company will work with Moreland Hills police to maintain traffic, she said.
The Chagrin Falls Suburban Volunteer Fire Department, which serves Moreland Hills, was notified last week about the gas- and oil-well drilling, she said.
There are no gas and oil wells in Chagrin Falls, partly due to acreage and setback requirements. A minimum of 20 acres, which can be pooled by residents, is needed for well drilling, and drilling must be at least 300 feet from any dwelling.
Chagrin Falls Village Administrator Benjamin Himes, who was notified by Mrs. Renda of the operation, said, "I would encourage all who do not like the fact that local governments have been stripped of the authority to impose regulations for the health and safety of their residents to call their state representative."
Mrs. Renda, who is a member of the Cuyahoga County Mayors and City Managers Association, is also on a subcommittee that is studying the gas- and oil-well-drilling issue along with Pepper Pike Mayor Bruce H. Akers and Gates Mills Mayor M. Conrad White. They met with ODNR and a representative of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's office over the summer and are to meet again Sept. 30.
Mrs. Renda said that, like neighboring communities, her village wants more control over the drilling and operation of wells. The subcommittee's discussion centered on drilling and well-safety issues and ways to give local authorities more notice regarding permitting and drilling, she said.
The mayors asked for better communication and cooperation from ODNR, she said. Mayors also asked to be part of the pre-permitting inspection, because there could be special safety concerns attached to specific areas where drilling is planned, and communities want increased safety measures, Mrs. Renda said.
Over three months ago, Moreland Hills Village Council approved a resolution urging the state to permit local participation in the regulation of wells and the protection of its citizens.
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