Troy, Pennsylvania
Troy, PA, is located at the eastern edge of the majestic Appalachian Mountains. A gas lease offer was on the table at this week's regular meeting of Troy Borough Council. Borough manager Dan Close reported on the gas lease offer to council. The offer was from Talisman (formerly Fortuna). Nine acres in Farmer's Valley was to be leased for a puny $4,000 per acre with a 20% royalty. There was no discussion- repeat: NO DISCUSSION, and the motion to accept the lease offer was unanimous.
In this blogger's opinion, it might have been a good idea to consider the negative impacts of gas drilling before voting unanimously to accept the offer. Does the Bohlayer family know about the toxic chemicals which will soon be dispersed in the air, leached into the soil, and possibly affect the water around Troy? The Bohlayer family has a pear and apple orchard in Troy, a business which has been in operation for five generations. In fact, there are 40 agricultural companies in Troy, Gardiner's Farm, Wilson's Farm, Lane Shady Farm, Brook Elm Farm, and Alfred Sparling Farm, to name a few. Some are orchards, some dairy farms, and some livestock. Jim and Marge Crandle produce maple syrup in Troy. Do these farmers know that gas drilling can contaminate trees, plants, streams, rivers, and can kill animals? Have they been made aware of the risks? Water polluted with toxic chemcials cannot be used to water plants or feed animals.
Read the article in the Towanda Daily Review here.
