It's time for a quick recap of the ongoing battle over gas and oil drilling in Munroe Falls. Way back in March 2007, the city decided against drilling on city property. In spite of the fact that Munroe Falls would have received a portion of profits from any production, our city government acted with great discretion and opted out, due to the potential health and environmental risks.
What risks? Ohio Environmental Protection Agency hydro-geologist Kathy Metropulos had cautioned city officials against drilling, warning that improper drilling in Munroe Falls could damage the water supply in Cuyahoga Falls, a water supply used by 50,000 people in Cuyahoga Falls, Munroe Falls, and Silver Lake. She said it would cost "millions of dollars" to repair any damage to the Cuyahoga Falls drinking water system.
According to the Stow Sentry article, Ms. Metropolus said that "things like rain water can wash the contaminants into the ground. It is the local authorities who are responsible for protecting the well fields through ordinance or other regulatory means."
At that time, it was noted by Ms. Metropulos that Wooster has spent more than $10 million to correct damage to its water supply, damage that has been directly attributed to local drilling for gas and oil. Since then, we have all heard about the debacle out in Bainbridge, where homeowners wells were affected by a local gas/oil operation.
So here we are, one year later, still wondering how the Ohio legislature could have acted so irresponsibly when passing Ohio HB278, granting as it does, absolute permitting and regulatory power over all gas and oil wells to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. And we all know what absolute power does.
About four weeks ago, Mr. Jack Morrison, Munroe Falls City Law Director, filed an appeal with the ODNR. Mr. Morrison received an immediate response from them requesting a same day phone conference. ODNR informed Mr. Morrison that they would hear oral arguments the next morning at 8:00 AM. He made the trip to Columbus, presented his case, and was informed that a response would be issued in April. He has subsequently been informed that he is to appear before the appeals committee again on April 25, 2008.
Our chances for success are not rosy. What we need is a millionaire benefactor, fed up with the pomposity of ODNR, and disgusted with a legislative body that preaches home rule but does all it can to eliminate it. This benefactor will be asked to underwrite a lengthy court battle questioning the constitutionality of HB278.
Time and money favor the drillers. Our elected representatives in Columbus (Messrs. Coughlin and Widowfield) either support HB278 or have other political distractions that prevent them from supporting two local cities within their districts that have passed council resolutions (unanimously) opposing the drilling.
People in Columbus have no business telling us how to run our local communities when it comes to health and environmental issues. None, whatsoever.
