Letter to Denton County Commissioners Court

The Hon. Mary Horn, County Judge 

Hugh Coleman, Commissioner, Precinct 1

Ron Marchant, Commissioner, Precinct 2

Bobbie Mitchell, Commissioner, Precinct 3

Andy Eads, Commissioner, Precinct 4

To the Members of Denton County Commissioners Court:

Thank you very much for allowing us to bring our concerns about the development of the natural gas industry in our county directly to you. We are encouraged by your willingness to appoint a task force to bring about the best practices throughout the county.

We are most encouraged that the court considers Drill Right Texas an appropriate framework for the start of the committee’s work. The Texas Oil and Gas Accountability Project has tapped the wisdom and best practices from around the country in an effort to bring relief to North Texans who believe both their quality of life and property value has been sacrificed to the shale. We strongly recommend at least one person on the committee be from Texas OGAP, so that we have a  direct line to that immense body of expertise.

We recognize that the industry must be mindful of their contractual obligations to their leaseholders and shareholders as they develop the immense resources of the Barnett Shale. To that end, any committee must be charged with a mission that includes recommendations for regulatory reform. This reform must occur not only in relevant state and federal agencies, but also in the next Texas legislature. Without much stronger enforcement of measures that protect property, and human health and safety, our county will continue to suffer a host of losses, from immediate, recurring damages -- such as those inflicted on roads, bridges and floodplain -- to a growing crisis of confidence that will stifle investment and economic growth.

We encourage this body to appoint a membership of strong, action-oriented, business-savvy representatives of our community who have already shown the courage, and made some pragmatic progress, in this march toward best practices. These people can be found   troughout the county, and not only in Precinct 4.

As you evaluate candidates, we implore you to rule out anyone who does not understand the urgent need for an “eyes wide open” look at the impact of current practices and understand the true costs to our community long-term if these are not addressed. Similarly, we hope you will select candidates who understand that they must help information flow between the task force and their peers as well as their constituents.

(For example, a candidate chosen to represent municipalities should not only bring wisdom back to his or her own city, but also help other cities unite in their protection of constituents both in their corporate limits and their extra-territorial jurisdictions.)

Candidates should complete personal financial disclosure statements, similar to those completed by any other elected official, so you can be assured you have not appointed anyone with a significant financial relationship to the outcomes. While, at first blush, that appears to create a problem for representation from the industry, we feel that there are sufficient professional associations in the area -- the Society of Petroleum Engineers, for example -- to meet this requirement.

This body should receive testimony not only from local but also national experts when necessary. Its decisions need to be data-driven. This body will need support as it manages data from laboratories, industry, government and independent sources, including inspections and audits and other findings.

This body must meet in public. During its sessions, this body should document the applicable state regulations and local ordinances that coincide with best practices, and document those places where best practices are not being used in order to achieve the standard.

A minority report should accompany any block of recommendations that does not have unanimous support.

Sincerely,

Argyle Bartonville Communities Alliance

ABCA addresses the Denton County Commisioners Court

ABCA wants a taskforce to address the issues of gas exploration in denton county. See the powerful presentation given to the denton county commissioners court. County Commisssioners agreed to a taskforce and work has begun to put a best practices together for Denton County.

ABCA Addresses Denton Commissioner Court from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

ABCA addresses the Denton County Commisioners Court

Yesterday, ABCA made a powerful presentation to the Denton County Commissioners Court. ABCA stated that the toxic waste is being pushed into neighborhoods outside of municipalities where there are no setbacks and no ordinances to protect residents. As a result, in the past couple of months many area groups have formed alliances to combat the impacts that gas drilling on our environment.

ABCA stated it is not to late for our community but we need to act quickly. We can not wait on state legislation. Changes need to be made now. A task force is just one step in the process. But a necessary step.

The commissioners and Judge Horn agreed and will take action on forming a task force to adopt a best practices for Denton County. This task force will include citizens groups, municipalities and the industry. I am sure this will feel like the Hatfields and Macoys as Copper Canyon Mayor Sue Tejml described.

To view the full presentation:  http://txsharon.blogspot.com/

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_task_force_0519.191546be.html

Presentation to Denton County Commissioners

Argyle- Bartonville Communities Alliance (ABCA) is in need of your support. Please come to the presentation made by ABCA for the Denton County Commissioners on Tuesday morning. Your attendance is greatly appreciated. 

What:  Argyle-Bartonville Communities Alliance presentation to the Denton County Commissioner’s Court

 

Where: Denton County Courthouse on the Square

           110 West Hickory Street
           Denton, TX 76201-4116

           2^nd Floor

 

What time:  Meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. 

 

Who we would like to attend:  Any and all Denton County residents who are concerned about the impacts of gas drilling in the County – including other groups such as Flower Mound Cares, Corinth Cares and DCRUD.

 

Topics of discussion:  William’s residential area planned CCF on Jeter Rd, lack of enforcement to drilling operations in County and unincorporated areas, the county needs to be far more proactive in protecting air, soil, and water quality and other concerns of urban and rural natural gas drilling

Elections are over - GAS operations move to Unincorporated Areas

If Williams is pushed out of Flower Mound
where will they go.....

UNINCORPORATED Denton County!!!

Get ready if you live in or next to Argyle or Bartonville's ETJ or unincorporated Denton County- you are a TARGET!!!

Now Williams will simply move to the unincorporated areas where they have NO ordinances, NO setbacks, NO restrictions as to where they operate. What a sweet deal for them.

FLOWER MOUND:

Flower Mound was successful in sending the message to gas operators they are not welcome in F.M. Now with a new Mayor and council members in support of a moratorium, a pause on gas drilling could be a reality. 

KERA, Flower Mound Drilling 

BARTONVILLE:
The unofficial report shows James Ferrell and Gracie Egan as the elected council members.
Only 11% of the registered voters in Bartonville voted.  (128 voted of 1070 registered) That is disappointing.
Bartonville Unofficial Results

ARGYLE:

Argyle did not have elections because only one council member (Bonny Haynes) was up for re-election. She ran unopposed so the Argyle town council called off the elections. Correction: ABCA has made a mistake. It was not Bonny Haynes it was Hasty, Thomas and Schreotke that ran unopposed. Holt, Landrum and Haynes will be up for reelection next May. If anyone wishes to run for a council seat be sure you have your name in around January or February 2011.