A Call for Witnesses & Protectors: NE PA and Central New York

Request for Protectors and Nonviolent Witnesses
Northeast Pennsylvania, Susquehanna County

PLEASE READ and SHARE

A Call for:

Witnesses, Protectors and Nonviolent Warriors

NEEDED NOW
NorthEast Pennsylvania

Susquehanna County

From now until April 1st.

(soon to be needed in Central NY p\
I88 Corridor)

1: Holleran Residence
North Harford Maple Farm
2131 Three Lakes Road,
New Milford, PA
GPS: 41.827, -75.758

2: Solar Residence
39 Hall Rd
New Milford, PA
18834
GPS: 41.877, -75.667

See:

• 2x attached maps,
• press release from Energy Justice Network,
• a plea from an impacted landowner
• a plea from Bill Huston to save 100,000 trees in NE PA

From an impacted landowner:

--------------------------------------------

FYI, Constitution Pipeline tree cutting is due to begin tomorrow in PA only, not New York. You are invited to join the Holleran family and North Harford Maple in defense of their maple sugarbush that is in the right of way and due to be cut down in New Milford Township, Susquehanna County! See below for details of how you can help from now until March 31st, the tree cutting deadline according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act! The best way to reach us is by phone (not e-mail):

Megan Holleran
570-709-3268

Alex Lotorto
570-269-9589 
---------- Forwarded message ----------



From: Megan Holleran <megholleran@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 12:30 AM
Subject: NCPMG PA Tree Clearing Call To Action
To: ncpmggeneral@googlegroups.com

Hey everyone,

So, as a result of the partial notice to proceed being granted for PA only, we're gearing up down here to deal with potential tree clearing as early as tomorrow morning. 

We don't know where the cutting will start, but are going to focus on my family's property and maple syrup operation for now. We plan to be present on the property to deter/distract the tree cutting crews starting at 7 am every day until dusk, in shifts. 

We have signed a landowner permission form for people to be on our property and as of now have no immediate plans for any illegal actions as a group. Alex has prepared a Cease and Desist Order (attached), which has been served via the FERC docket, which we hope will help to deter any cutting activities for at least a few days until the attorneys communicate with each other.

If anyone would like to come down and help out, you can contact me at 570-709-3268 for additional information and directions. We will be there at 7AM until at least noon every day until March 31st. The property is located at 2131 Three Lakes Road, New Milford, PA. coordinates: 41.8272387, -75.7585062 

For anyone who's willing to make the drive I can potentially provide a place to stay, a home cooked meal, and free maple candy!

Things you can do:

- Sign up for a volunteer shift (video, photos, monitors, tactical, medics, etc) by calling or texting me at 570-709-3268 with 1) your name, 2) your preferred role(s) 3) time and date you plan to arrive/stay. Shifts are available 7AM-Noon, Noon-4:30 all days.

- Share this information with groups and friends.

- DONATE: Energy Justice Network is accepting donations on behalf of anti-Constitution Pipeline campaigners to support materials costs for resisting the pipeline, 1) go to www.energyjustice.net/donate , 2) make your donation, and 3) (until we have an official donation page) call 215-743-4884 to leave a message with your NAME and that your donation is for the CONSTITUTION PIPELINE FIGHT.

- BUY SYRUP: North Harford Maple, which produces maple syrup from trees in the Constitution Pipeline right of way, have syrup for sale at the above coordinates. If you would like to buy some during your visit, your purchase will help benefit our efforts to oppose the pipeline/offset costs.

More on the North Harford Maple and the Hollerans:http://innovationtrail.org/post/flipping-script-eminent-domain

-----------------------------------------------------------

Bill Huston's rant and cry for help to protect 100,000 trees in NE PA:

Please share this on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/billhuston/posts/10207590386454437
While WSKG Public TV & Radio​ is promoting their latest content-free Ken Burns type documentary called "Harvest", meanwhile our region is under siege.

Everything we cherish is under grave threat.
Our clean air. Our clean water. Our quiet, rural way of life. Our forests, and every living thing in the forest. Our foodshed. Our property rights. Our DEMOCRACY.

That's IT, friends.
That's the proverbial "Farm".

Here is a comment I left on WSKG's Facebook Page:

NY is now under an industrial assault, an invasion, and occupation, a threat of mass destruction of biomass. Are you interested in that?

Because that could use your attention. There are several active fronts now with
There are active NVDA / Civil Disobedience / Nonviolent Resistance campaigns in

• We Are Seneca Lake​, nearing 500 arrests since Oct'14.
• Orange County NY (Protect Orange County​/ Minisink Matters​) fighting the MONSTER Fracked-Gas power plant CPV-Valley,
• in Westchester County (Resist AIM Pipeline​).
• We are preparing a ground-based resistance now in Central NY
• (Occupy the Constitution Pipeline Route​).

This is Civil War going on in New York now. This is no joke. This is not a drill.

Our leaders are 100% committed to nonviolence. But I will tell you also there are a lot of pissed off landowners, and some own guns. We have trainers coming in to the area teaching Gandhi's methods. (Arun Gandhi​ please be aware of what is happening here) but this is not a stable situation. We have New York Attorney General​ Eric T. Schneiderman​ on our side, but a lawsuit will not stop the destruction of 500,000 trees. 

We are asking for Governor Andrew Cuomo​'s help to send in the New York Army National Guard​ and the New York State Police​ to PROTECT US! Protect property rights, uphold the law, and protect our forests and clean water. We are asking WSKG, WBNG-TV Action News​, pressconnects.com / Press & Sun-Bulletin​, WIVT/WBGH NewsChannel 34​, YNN-Southern Tier​, News Radio 1290 WNBF​, FOX 40 News WICZ-TV​ and other media outlets to cover the reality of what is happening here.

The FERC process has been a joke. The Natural Gas Act was not followed because the Williams Central Station, a necessary component, was not scoped as part of the project's environmental review and built WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE and NECESSITY due to a legal loophole written by the American Petroleum Institute​ (API-RP80). The safety and compliance record of Williams Companies​ and Cabot Oil & Gas​ has not been scrutinized as required by the Natural Gas Act, which demands "otherwise such application shall be denied." 15 USC 717f(e). Federal Energy Regulatory Commission​ issues dubious "Conditional Certificates" before the environmental review is complete, and allows properties to be condemned before the suitability of the project has been determed, THEN logjams the administrative appeal with illegal "Tolling Orders". There are COUNTLESS ways the TREASONOUS FERC has allowed the laws of our land to be SUBVERTED. These are HIGH CRIMES which President Obama​ is permitting to occur.

Tree clearing for the "Constitution Pipeline" is scheduled to start TOMORROW Saturday Jan 30 2016. Protectors will be in Susquehanna County to try to prevent this crime against nature and the people. 

Again: Our leaders are 100% committed to non-violence. But this is a DECLARATION OF WAR. We will protect this land. President Obama, Dear Governor Cuomo​: Please help us save our clean air and water.

Thank you.

Attached is a map showing where 100,000 trees are scheduled to be clearcut,

a scar about 20 miles, 100'ft wide which will never heal, if we permit it.

Frontline Defenders will be asked to attend nonviolence training.

TinyURL.com/CPNVDATrainingSignup

​

• Please bring warm clothes,
• camping and hiking equipment (boots!)
• Cameras, CB radios.

--

--
May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)

Mary Anne Grady Flores: contact, donations & media coverage

From: Mary Anne Grady Flores <gradyflores08@gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016
Subject: Mary Anne Grady Flores: contact, donations & media coverage
To:


DEAR ALL:

To write to Mary Anne:

Mary Anne Grady Flores

Inmate #: 12001966
Jamesville Correctional Facility
PO Box 143
Jamesville, NY 13078

 

To donate so she can make phone calls, etc., please make checks out to

Ithaca Catholic Workers (w/ Mary Anne Grady Flores in memo line) and mail to:

Ithaca Catholic Workers, 514 N. Plain St., Ithaca, NY 14850

 

For video on her actions (in English w/Spanish subtitles): https://youtu.be/3V8ElSbrEHg

 

See Jan 2016 media coverage of Mary Anne's case & on the Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars, at:

• Democracy Now! exclusive web interview: http://www.democracynow.org/…/web_exclusive_drone_war_prote…
• Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…/mary-anne-grady-flores-dron…
• Ithaca Voice:
o http://ithacavoice.com/…/standing-ovation-thunderous-appla…/
o http://ithacavoice.com/…/12-photos-of-ithacas-anti-drone-g…/
o http://ithacavoice.com/…/ithacas-grandma-drone-protester-w…/
• Syracuse Post Standard: http://www.syracuse.com/…/20…/01/dewitt_drone_protester.html
• Alternet: http://www.alternet.org/…/grandma-drone-protester-be-jailed…
• Common Dreams: http://www.commondreams.org/…/grandma-drone-protester-reman…
• Popular Resistance: https://www.popularresistance.org/grandma-drone-protester-…/
• Brave New Films: https://www.facebook.com/bravenewfilms/posts/10153207342527016
Center for Media and Democracy: http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/01/13018/pacifist-drone-protestor-heads-jail-while-armed-militants-oregon-act-impunity

·     Bill Moyers website: http://billmoyers.com/story/a-drone-protestor-heads-to-jail/ 

·     Mint Press News: http://www.mintpressnews.com/212938-2/212938/

-- a friend

--------------------------------
Mary Anne Grady Flores
Ithaca, NY 14850 1-607-280-8797
Ithaca Catholic Workers  /  Los Obreros Catolicos de Ithaca
"If you think one person can't be effective, you've never been 
in bed with a mosquito" -War Resister's League 
"Si usted piensa que una persona no puede ser eficaz, nunca 
he estado en la cama con un mosquito" Liga de Opositores de Guerra 
"Protest beyond the law is not a departure from democracy; it is absolutely 
essential to it"   Howard Zinn (1922-2010)     
"La protesta más allá de la ley no se aparta de la democracia, es 
absolutamente esencial para que" Howard Zinn (1922-2010)

"To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic.  It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness... 
What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something.  If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction...And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future.  The future is an infinite succession of presents and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory."  -- Howard Zinn



www.democracynow.org
www.upstatedroneaction.org
www.cpt.org
www.catholicworker.org
Aljazeer a- look it up on line
The Guardian <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gaza






--

--
May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)

WSKG Sloppy Reporting on Constitution Pipeline

First their article, then my comment.

PLEASE feel free to visit the WSKG News page and leave a comment.

http://wskgnews.org/post/constitution-pipeline-asks-fell-trees-spring#stream/0

Constitution Pipeline Asks To Fell Trees This Spring

By Bret Jaspers • Jan 12, 2016

The route of the Constitution Pipeline as of July 26, 2013.

Credit Constitution Pipeline Company.

Audio: http://cpa.ds.npr.org/wskg/audio/2016/01/0112_bret_web.mp3

The company behind the Constitution Pipeline wants permission to cut down trees along its route. The project aims to transport Pennsylvania's natural gas through upstate New York and to eastern markets. It got federal approval in 2014 but still needs New York State to award water quality permits. After that, federal regulators can give it the "all clear."

In the meantime, Constitution Pipeline Company says it needs to cut down about 75,000 trees. It won't move any earth and will leave the stumps in place. Company spokesman Chris Stockton said the regulation gives them a narrow window, so the work doesn't disturb certain birds and bats.

"We need to start now in order to complete the work prior to this spring," Stockton said. "That's so we can stay within the environmental window and [in] compliance." The next possible window for tree felling would be in the fall. 

The company stresses it's not talking about construction, but environmental groups feel otherwise. Moneen Nasmith is a staff attorney at Earthjustice and is representing the Sierra Club, Catskill Mountainkeeper, and others in filings against the Constitution Pipeline. "It is the first step of construction, it is an incredibly destructive step," she said. "There's some real concerns about how that will affect the streams and waterways and wetlands that are near the pipeline route."

Nasmith also argues there are still unresolved appeals to the original federal approval.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) declined to comment on pending decisions. Constitution Pipeline asked FERC to decide by Friday, but it may not issue a ruling by then.

New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation has until April to rule on the water quality permits. 

------------------------------------------------

My comment:

WSKG, Bret Jaspers-- this article has two big factual errors.

1: First is the headline. "Constitution Pipeline Asks To Fell Trees This Spring"
Spring begins Sunday, March 20, yet CP must stop tree clearing after April 1 due to restrictions placed on them by US Fish and Wildlife due to concerns for endangered bats and migratory birds. The fact is that CP wants to begin removing trees NOW.

2: Next is the statement, "Constitution Pipeline Company says it needs to cut down about 75,000 trees." Do you every try to fact check these things? Or do you just print whatever the industry PR people tell you as if it is Gospel? The fact is if you do some simple calculations, based on WIDTH of the pipeline construction right of way (100'ft), multiplied by the LENGTH of the pipeline (121 miles), you get the AREA which will be disturbed. Then, use some basic estimates for how much of the area is urban, farmland, and forest, then calculate the number of trees per acre, you will find the actual number of trees is more like 430,000. This is the number I arrived at. (My calculations are here: http://williamahuston.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-many-trees-acres-of-forests-and.html) The folks at Stop the Pipeline performed a similar calculation and derived 700,000 trees. So the number given to you by Chris Stockton is about 1/10th the actual number, a very big error.

This issues (energy and the environment) are extremely important to your listeners, and WSKG has a history of poor reporting in this area. Omitting important facts, or getting things wrong. PLEASE try to do a better job. If you have questions about Constitution Pipeline, I would be happy to give you details.

While the group "Stop the Pipeline" is engaged in Administrative Remedies, I will tell you that the Constitution Pipeline Direct Action Group began trainings in NVDA, Nonviolent Direct Action one year ago. We have already performed one physical blockade of a site in the Town of Davenport, Delaware County, and they are preparing to disrupt tree clearing, should it occur. The next training will be happening very soon, so interested folks, please sign up here. Sign up instructions: http://tinyurl.com/CPNVDATrainingSignup
The Facebook presence for the CP Direct Action Group is located here: https://www.facebook.com/OccupyTheConstitutionPipeline 

thanks

--

--
May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)

MASSIVELY good news! EPA SAB says conclusion "no widespread or systemic" contamination from fracking.not supported by the EPA's own data

For immediate release on any list:

Friends, this is the biggest fracking news since the NY Ban--

First, the background:

June 5, 2015, EPA released their draft assessment on High Volume Hydrofracking,
which revealed for the first time by EPA, that fracking had in fact contaminated

underground sources of drinking water, something they had publicly denied

for many years. 

HOWEVER-- the cover letter says that EPA had not found "widespread or systemic" evidence of water contamination from such related drilling activities.

PROBLEM-- this executive summary did not match the substance of the report.

Of course the Oil+Gas industry celebrated this, and added their own spin.

"Fracking does not produce water contamination!!!", they cried. However,

this is the exact opposite of what the body of the report stated.

http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy

October 2015, the EPA's independent Science Advisory Panel called a hearing

to review the findings of this report. Some of the people in PA who had been

impacted learned about this (I understand it was Ray Kemble), and raised the alarm.

In a short amount of time, a list technical experts and affected persons
from all over the country from key areas (Dimock PA, Parker Co TX,
and Pavilion WY) were assembled, and a list of demands were created.

Ray Kemble, John Fenton, Craig Stevens, Ron Gulla, Steve Lipsky gave absolutely

stunning testimony! WATCH starting at 58 min:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJw7wuWURew#t=58m

Jan 7 2016: IT WORKED!

The EPA Science Advisory Board just released their draft report today.

WOW! It is stunning.  I just spoke to Craig Stevens who told me,

"It's a long technical document which we are still digesting. But from

the looks of things, we got everything we were asking for!"

Here is a long link. Just start with the cover letter-- first 4 pages:

http://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/SABPRODUCT.nsf/ea5d9a9b55cc319285256cbd005a472e/d4210ba02ebef65185257f33005a0cc2/$FILE/Report%20to%20Administrator-SAB%20Hydraulic%20Fracturing%20Research%20Advisory%20Panel-1-7-16%20draft.pdf

Here is a short link which directs to the above link but is easy to share:
TinyURL.com/EPASABDraftFrackingReport2016

Highlights from filmmaker Hope for Peace:

On Thursday, January 7, 2016 3:30 PM, Hope Forpeace <hopeforpeacenow@gmail.com> wrote:

Summary on mentions of major cases: (Great work, friends)

Pg 1

The SAB has concerns regarding the clarity and adequacy of support for several major findings presented within the draft Assessment Report that seek to draw national-level conclusions regarding the  impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The SAB is concerned that these major findings are presented ambiguously within the Executive Summary and are inconsistent with the  observations, data, and levels of uncertainty presented and discussed in the body of the draft Assessment Report.

Of particular concern in this regard is the high-level conclusion statement on page ES-6 that "We did not find evidence that hydraulic fracturing mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States." The SAB finds that this statement does not clearly describe the system(s) of interest (e.g., groundwater, surface water) nor the definitions of  "systemic," "widespread," or "impacts." The SAB is also concerned that this statement does not reflect the uncertainties and data limitations described in the body of the Report associated with such impacts. The statement is ambiguous and requires clarification and additional explanation. 

Pg 2

While the EPA appropriately aimed to develop national-level analyses and perspective, most stresses to  surface or ground water resources associated with stages of the HFWC are localized. For example, the  impacts of water acquisition will predominantly be felt locally at small space and time scales. These local-level hydraulic fracturing impacts can be severe, and the draft Assessment Report needs to do a better job of recognizing the importance of local impacts. In this context, the SAB recommends that the  agency should include and explain the status, data on potential releases, and findings if available for the  EPA and state investigations conducted in Dimock, Pennsylvania, Pavillion, Wyoming, and Parker County, Texas where hydraulic fracturing activities are perceived by many members of the public to have caused significant local impacts to drinking water resources. Examination of these high-visibility cases important so that the public can understand the status of investigations in these areas, conclusions associated with the investigations, lessons learned for hydraulic fracturing practice if any, plans for remediation if any, and the degree to which information from these case studies can be extrapolated to other locations.   

Pg 33

Much public interest in hydraulic fracturing in general and in this assessment in particular is generated by experiences at individual sites. Chapter 1 should acknowledge the importance of these experiences, and the needs associated with public outreach and education related to drinking water quality. The Assessment Report should include (not necessarily with all detail in Chapter 1) explicit summaries of  studies that have been conducted in Dimock, Pennsylvania, Pavillion, Wyoming, and Parker County,  Texas, including the status of those studies and the currently responsible government bodies associated with monitoring of hydraulic fracturing activities in these areas. 

 

Pg 67

However, the SAB finds that the agency should include and fully explain the status, data on potential releases, and findings if available for the EPA and state investigations conducted in Dimock, Pennsylvania, Pavillion, Wyoming, and Parker County, Texas where hydraulic fracturing activities are  perceived by many members of the public to have caused impacts to drinking water resources.  Examination of these high-visibility cases is important so that the public can understand the status of  investigations in these areas, conclusions associated with the investigations, lessons learned for  hydraulic fracturing practice if any, plans for remediation if any, and the degree to which information  from these case studies can be extrapolated to other locations.  

Pg 122

The Synthesis (and the draft Assessment Report, more generally) fails to bring forward important  findings on the relationships between the HFWC and contamination of private drinking water wells,  including those in Dimock, Pennsylvania, Pavillion, Wyoming, and Parker County, Texas. Although the  role of hydraulic fracturing-related activities in water-well contamination within these localities  continues to be debated, these sites have a high profile and many members of the public view them as  being of high potential relevance to hydraulic fracturing-related impacts to drinking water resources. 

--

--
May you, and all beings
be happy and free from suffering :)
-- ancient Buddhist Prayer (Metta)