Evergreen should be called 'Evermoney'

Spectrum, by Donna Ford

In the last several weeks, I have become more informed and more alarmed about the new "welcome with open arms" coal-bed methane industry. I have seen people with a variety of backgrounds come together to discuss this new "opportunity" for the Valley. There are often disagreements within a community as diverse as the Mat-Su, but the dangers, that are apparent here with this industry, are ones that everyone should take notice.

We have been informed that our private property is ours. We won't have to worry about an unwanted guest unless the state decides that it may be necessary to have access to it. It is so easy for rules and regulations to be interpreted that allow the gas company to have their needs met. Evergreen has quoted several people that have invited them to drill on their property. In some places this seems to have created quite a conflict in our neighborhoods. It will be interesting to watch as wells continue to be drilled throughout the valley.

Many people of Mat-Su live here because of the access to the recreational areas. As wells go in, many of our favorite areas will be crisscrossed with roads and gated with no trespassing signs. Mr.Tanigawa, a coal-bed methane projects manager, has stated that these sites are nicer than some of our homes. Perhaps this could be a new tourist circuit. "Check out the beautiful well sites and see how a recreational area can be turned into something more useful than just a hillside filled with trees and animals."

Then there is the issue of water. The effect that coal-bed methane has on water systems is unclear. The technology is quite new and unfortunately for us, all the ramifications of this industry aren't known yet. One just has to read about the damages that have occurred in Colorado and Wyoming to wonder, "What were they thinking when they (our elected officials) paved the road for coal-bed methane industry in the Valley?" Aquifers aren't a predictable science. If they were, drilling a well would always be exact. We don't know how or exactly how long it takes them to be recharged, or how they will be affected by drilling, or what happens when a toxic substance from the drilling operation gets into the underground water supply. How many wells will be affected from a "whoops" mistake? I am sure that coal-bed methane companies will have scientists that will alleviate our fears. For some reason my trust level is a little low. And then there is the big issue of the water that is pumped out of the coal beds. There are no regulations of how this water should be treated and who will be our watchdog. We can't trust the company. Department of Environmental Conservation has said that they do not have the personnel to monitor all the wells. After hearing about Mr. Ruedrich and his involvement in the oil and gas industry I don't think he is one you can trust either. Oh well, there is money to be made for the stockholders and isn't that what counts. I am beginning to think that Evergreen should be Evermoney. Money is what is driving the industry, not the benefits that they say will come to our community. Just look at their stockholders brochure, do they really care what this industry has the potential of doing to our valley? I don't think so.

Infrastructures. This one is hard for me even to imagine. Evergreen has more than 230,000 acres leased, plus more acres on the leases to be issued. If they want their company to be profitable these wells will be connected with roads, pipelines, power lines, compressor stations and who knows what else. I ask, "How can an industry be permitted to operate in an established residential areas without major impacts?" According to our elected officials, we have no worries. Perhaps it is because Mr. Ogan [was] an employee of Evergreen and Mr. Kohring has a household that doesn't even live in Alaska. Neither Mr. Ogan nor Mr. Korhing has been in attendance at the informational meetings. I guess they are too busy to have to attend a meeting that they had already given a green light.

Changes are coming to the Valley. We will no longer be known as one of the most scenic areas. Instead of being known as a world-class scenic area we will be known as the armpit of Alaska. We will no longer have great neighborhoods. We will no longer have great recreational opportunities. We will no longer be assured of a dependable water supply. We will have some temporary jobs. We will have problems with noise pollution. Compressor stations in other states can be heard up to four miles away. This noise does not go away. These pumps and stations will be a 24-hour-a-day operation. We will have more trucks on our highways, we will have short term booms as the drillers are here. We will have neighbors that don't trust their neighbors. We will have property values that go down. Who wants to buy in an area that has the possibility of water contamination? Who wants to live in an area that is crisscrossed with gravel roads and ugly drill pads. Again my elected officials have painted a view of coal-bed methane as if it is seen through rose-colored glasses. I tend to differ as I look and read about the problems this industry has brought to other states.

When I was growing up a commercial on TV showed a Native American looking over a trashed environment. A single tear dropped from his eye. When I think of the Valley I shed a tear also. As the saying goes, "You won't know what you had until it is gone." I have hope that we as a community will come together and work on a plan that our future generations will respect. The decisions that we make today will affect their lives tomorrow.

Donna Ford is a Palmer resident.