Marcellus:The Old and the New

The old Roman generals' name is becoming fairly popular today, Marcus Claudius Marcellus. Marcus lived from 268 to 208 B.C. He was killed in a battle, and then, largely forgotten for centuries except by military historians.

The old soldiers' popularity was raised a few notches when Onondaga County in central New York State was established in 1794. Tracts of wilderness land were then set aside for those who fought in the Revolution. Shortly afterwards, a surveyor, Simeon Dewitt, named one of those military tracts, Marcellus, after the old Roman General, and the town of Marcellus, New York was born. The first residents arrived that year; they built cabins, a school and a church, a general store and a tavern.

Marcellus was a sleepy rural town in 1839 when geologist James Hall called a geological formation of organic rich black rocks after the town: the Marcellus Shale. But the village of Marcellus was at the edge of the 450 million year old formation. From New York, through Pennsylvania and well into West Virginia and areas of Tennessee, throughout much of Appalachia, the ancient geological formation is about vast and enormous quantities of natural gas.

The gas is a bonanza of sorts for the energy starved eastern United States. Pennsylvania, rich in Marcellus Gas deposits, is the keystone state for delivery. Large gas lines from Texas and Oklahoma already criss-cross the state heading towards the east coast.

Water, however, is even more important than gas pipelines for transportation and Pennsylvania has a lot of water. The state has more miles of fresh water streams than any other state except Alaska. A Marcellus Gas well uses on the average an estimated 3.5 million gallons for drilling and a process called “fracking”.

Drilling companies generally go deep into the earth between 5,000 and 8,000 feet, then drill horizontally for upwards of two miles to tap into a gas pocket. Once the drilling is completed. Water is blasted through the pipes along with other ingredients including some toxic chemical to fracture (fracking) the shale to release the gas.

Fracking and water quality have been two areas of major concern for many communities and there have been some serious problems. Rivers and streams have been contaminated with toxic water, a threat to clean drinking water and fishing; there have been explosions, and in at least one case, cattle have been quarantined because they drank the contaminated water. Concerns have also been raised about property values and the forests known for their quality hardwood timber and hunting.

New York State has placed a one year moratorium on any new Marcellus Gas drilling and later this year the Pennsylvania Legislature will likely impose new regulations and new taxes on the gas companies. The estimated value of the gas stands at an amazing $2 trillion and counting. It makes the oil fields of Saudi Arabia look somewhat like child's play in financial markets. Besides, environmentally gas is better than either coal or oil.

If Alaska can write oil royalty checks to it's residents, why can't the Appalachian states write similar gas royalty checks?

Marcellus might have been an old Roman general, but the new Marcellus has many unknown risks and riches. Will the new Marcellus be killed like the ancient namesake or can the Marcellus Gas be handled and drilled wisely and safely?

Cabot Oil and Gas – Marcellus Problems

A Houston Texas based company was found responsible for contaminating the drinking water in Dimock, Pennsylvania. The company was fined $250,000 and ordered to install safe drinking water for the small northeastern Pennsylvania. Methane gas was not properly tapped in the Marcellus wells being drilled in the area. The company was ordered to immediately repair the wells and shut some of them down.

Hazardous waste material from several Cabot Marcellus wells also escaped and resulted in a significant fish kill in a nearby stream. John Hanger, the states chief environment officer, called the company “one of the worst”. Some of the fluids used in the fracking process used were supplied by Haliburton.

Dimock isn't the only Pennsylvania town to deal with water contamination; many others have had their share of problems including Bradford. Nor is Cabot Oil the only company facing charges and fines in the rush for the gas.

Just a word of caution; gas well drilling isn't all fun and landowner fortunes. Reasonable people don't want a “deepwater horizon” in Pennsylvania.

Tomato Blight

A Marcellus gas well, two miles below the surface might be a good place to quarantine the late blight fungus which continues to spread in many eastern states and Canada. In Pennsylvania, the late blight has been discovered in the central regions of the state. The late blight will kill tomatoes and potatoes but is not harmful to humans. 

Now is the time, if no blight has been discovered, to take some steps to help prevent the fungus. Once the blight arrives, action is useless.

Fall Vegetable Garden

July is gone, welcome August...and new gardens. This is a great month to think about fall vegetables to extend the harvest and save money.  There is still plenty of time for many crops in the backyard.

August can be a great month; many wildflowers are blooming including the golden rods which are fascinating plants and a good source of food for bees and other pollinators.

August is generally harvest month for many backyard gardeners. Sometimes, the excess gets to be just a little too much to deal handle, so here are a few options.

During the harvest season, be sure to support your local farms. In many cases, they grow and sell organic foods which are healthier and more nutritious. Sure, a Marcellus Gas well can spew dirty contaminated water but pesticides also remain in many fruit and vegetables which are traditionally found in supermarkets.

Hunt of a Lifetime

Hunt of a Lifetime is a non-profit group of people are are dedicated to helping young people, who are facing serious health problems, go on a fish or hunt trip. If you would like to learn more, or help, here is some background.

Good Blogs to Read


On Your Way to the Top
New York's Southern Tier
Simply Snickers

Save the Bees: Just Say NO

Pesticides Kill

Bees are important insects. They are essential to many of our food crops; they also pollinated wild food sources providing food for our native wildlife. Without the bees, wildflowers would be in decline along with other heirloom species; bees are needed to keep the planet colorful.

While most are familiar with the honeybee, there are 3,500 known species of native bees to North America. In recent years, all of the bee pollinator species have been declining in population for a variety of reasons.

The honeybee population has been decimated by a mystery disease dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD for short. Scientists and researchers are still seeking clues and a defense for the honeybees. The honeybees are also under attack from several species of mites which have also impacted on the number of hives.

Other bee pollinators could also be affected by CCD and more certainly mites. Researchers also point to other causes for the declines: lack of habitat, lack of food sources and pesticide use.

Cahrles Vorisek, the president of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association has, unfortunately, seen it all has has lost upwards of sixty percent of his hives. Others have suffered equal losses and some have lost 100 percent.

Charlie told me he experienced some heavy losses in his hives which we in an area where pesticides were sprayed. He encourages people to be prudent with the sprays, if they even have to be used, and to never use pesticides when flowers are blooming.

Wildflowers are an important food source for all be pollinators; leave field and pasture edges alone, don't bother spraying.  Many wildflowers are considered weeds but think again; they have evolved with the bees in a mutually beneficial relationship for centuries. The relationship between the bees and the wildflowers benefits mankind-it is part of the process which results in the foods we consume. Without the wildflowers, bees are in trouble; without the bees the wildflowers are in trouble. Without either the bees or the wildflowers, mankind is in deep trouble.

Some of the wildflowers have fascinating histories; dandelions and the golden rod are two examples. Often considered nasty weeds, they are actually just the opposite. There are many flowers which attract and provide nourishment for the bees. Generally, the heirlooms have more nectar and pollen; hybrids not as much or none since they were bred to be showy. Bees have good color vision and are generally attracted to blues, purples, yellow and white flowers.

Generally honeybees are very gentle insects; other bees can be more or less aggressive.
Every year about 100 people die from bee stings; many more suffer severe reactions. But there are some common sense steps to take to prevent a bee sting. Here is a good article on how to prevent bee stings.


Blueberry Season

Blueberry season is in full swing in many regions. Blueberries are some of the healthiest berries known but be sure to get those grown organically. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) non-organic blueberries can contain harmful pesticides. Blueberries are listed as one of the Dirty Dozen vegetables which can be contaminated by harmful chemicals.

Organic foods are healthier.Purchase or pick the berries from reputable organic growers. In season, the prices are generally lower and blueberries can be easily froze, canned or dried for future use.

Late Tomato Blight

Late tomato blight is on the move. Be prepared, check your plants every day if possible and spray. There are several organic sprays which can be used. Once late blight appears, it will quickly kill the tomato and potato crops.

Late blight travels quickly and the spores can travel upwards of thirty miles a day with the wind. So far the summer in Northwestern Pennsylvania has been hot, perhaps hotter than normal; few blight cases have been reported. The blight thrives in cool wet weather.

Good Blogs to Read

On Your Way to the Top

Simply Snickers

New York's Southern Tier

Early Harvest

An Early Harvest Season

The July Fourth holiday weekend was busy, hot and sultry for many. For many farms, it was haying season with the dry and hot weather conditions. In northwestern Pennsylvania, it appears to be an excellent crop and the equipment was able to get on the dry fields without any problems.
The corn was much better than "knee high". In many fields it was already chest high.
Potatoes in many fields are also blooming earlier than usual thanks to some great growing weather.
The strawberry crop was also earlier than normal this year and the season for many is now over.
The blueberry crop appears to be earlier than normal this year.

The garlic scapes and even the garlic seems earlier than normal, at least in my neck of the woods. I have one garlic patch which is almost ready for harvest and that is about two weeks earlier than usual.

Who knows what it all means? At least it isn't as cool and rainy as last year, although the storms seem to be more intense this summer.

One the downside, late blight appears to be spreading. It has now been reported in several western Pennsylvania counties. While not harmful to humans, the late blight is a disaster for home gardens with potatoes and tomatoes. One it appears, it's over; the plants will die within a short time, usually less than a week. The late blight destroyed many gardens last year. The fungus travels quickly from garden to garden, county to county and state to state.

There are some actions which can be taken now. There are sprays and home remedies, all of which need to be done before the blight appears.

  
    

        
        
        
        
      

  
  

    
  

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Some Tomato Thoughts

Tomatoes were first discovered back around 1520 and the first tomato cookbook was written about 1690. So tomatoes, in one sense, have a long history in gardens and kitchens. Included in this article are some tips on growing them. In another sense, tomatoes are relatively new vegetables when compared to some others.

Sunchokes:

Sunchokes are an old vegetable grown by the native peoples of North America, perhaps even before the tomato was discovered. Some people call then Jerusalem artichokes.
Regardless, they are healthy, flavorful and easy to grow. They can be tall, towering upwards of ten feet (behind Mike in the photo) and make for a quick privacy hedge. Learn more about the suncokes in this article.

Good Blogs to Read

On Your Way to the Top
Simply Snickers
New York's Southern Tier
Urban Veggie Garden

Over the last several weeks, we have been attempting to work on the layout. Thanks for the patience; it will all come together and be easier to read and navigate.