Task Force Meeting Notes: 2009 May | June | July | September | October | November

Task Force Meeting Notes: 2010 January | February | March | April | May  | July

Next Natural Gas Task Force meeting Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7 pm. Gunzburger Building, 1 N. Main St., Coudersport
Program details will be announced. All meetings are open to the public. 

Making Plans For Local Water Monitoring Team. Plans are being assembled to form a volunteer water monitoring team as companies step up their drilling for gas in Marcellus Shale formations throughout much of the county. According to information presented at the July 13 Task Force meeting, funds from the Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Commission are being used to support the program in Potter, Cameron, McKean, Elk and Jefferson counties. Those who have received the initial training will share their knowledge with local watershed associations to equip volunteers operating similar to the "Water Dogs" patrolling the Pine Creek Watershed. 

In recognition of the far-reaching consequences of increased drilling for natural gas in Marcellus Shale formations identified throughout much of Potter County, in April 2009 Commissioners Doug Morley, Susan Kefover and Paul Heimel formed the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force. Almost immediately, the organization began to grow and its mission broadened.

Mission: Purpose of the Natural Gas Task Force is to identify key issues; research facts and examine trends; review and propose public policy regarding the economic, environmental and social impact of gas exploration of the Marcellus Shale in Potter County; and educate the public on gas exploration and related topics.

Membership consists of a broad cross-section of individuals representing the natural gas industry, water specialists, emergency services personnel, township officials, environmental scientists, educators and numerous business interests.

Task Force meetings are held at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to the public.

Because of the complexity of the natural gas issue and its many implications, the Task Force has formed five study committees that meet independently and report to the larger group at each month meeting. These committees are focused on the following issues:

Water Quality: Jim Clark, Pete Ryan, Judy Bear, John McLaughlin, Jim Hough, Joe Parr and Robert Volkmar.

Employment/Training and Industry Technical Issues: Helene Nawrocki, Susan Kefover, Terry Cole, Dick Ford, Gerald Kane, Bob Veilleux, Neal Goodenough, Amy Thompson and Tom Veazey.

Public Education: Curt Weinhold, Paul Heimel, Ron Doughtie and Mary Anne Heston.

Public Safety/Law Enforcement: John Hetrick, Joe Gerhart, David Saulter and Glenn Dunn.

Township & Borough Impacts/Planning: Larry Hirst, Charlotte Dietrich, Doug Morley and Tom Jacoby.

Anyone who is interested in joining the Task Force, serving on a study committee and/or being added to the organization’s mailing list should contact Todd Brown at 814-274-8290, Extension 206, or tbrown@pottercountypa.net.

Use the links above to read summaries of each of the Task Force’s monthly meetings since its inception. Please see the References/Links tab under the Marcellus Shale/Natural Gas header on this website for further information and links related to Marcellus Shale natural gas development in Potter County.