September 22, 2008

Thursday, September 25, 2008 ~ Educational Meeting on Surface Owners' Rights and Oil & Gas Leasing
6:30 PM at the Philip Barbour High School Auditorium
The High School is located on US Rt. 250 between Philippi and Belington (Map & Directions)

This meeting is for people who own the surface, but either do not own the minerals or have bad leases with few surface owner protections included, as well as those who are considering leasing their minerals and want to know about the limited protections they will have if they do not negotiate them into their lease. David McMahon, a public interest lawyer and founder of WV SORO, and WV Farm Bureau and industry representatives will give brief presentations.  Presentations will be followed by a question & answer period moderated by Delegate Mary Poling. The meeting is sponsored by the Barbour County Farm Bureau.

Other Upcoming Events

October 24-26, 2008 ~ WV Highlands Conservancy's Fall Review at AFC Retreat and Conference Center near Marlinton, WV
The Saturday evening program will be an informative presentation and discussion about the new rush to drill the Marcellus Shale gas formation that lies deep beneath the surface all across West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. The size of the well sites and depth of the drilling and the hydrofracing has raised questions across the region about everything from leasing to water use and withdrawal. Lee Avary, Petroleum Geologist and Manager, Oil and Gas Program, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey) and Dave McMahon (WV SORO and Mountain State Justice) will be joined by other knowledgeable presenters who have yet to be confirmed.
For more information about specific costs and/or to make reservations, contact Cindy Rank (304-924-5802, clrank@hughes.net) or Beth Little (304-653-4277, blittle@citynet.net)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 ~  Informational Meeting on Surface Owners’ Rights and changes needed to protect property owners from abuses by oil & gas drillers
Hosted by the Northern Wayne County Community Association
7:00 PM ~ Old Buffalo High School Cafeteria, Buffalo Creek Road, off State Rt. 75 across from Buffalo Elementary School
For more information contact BJ Smith, Northern Wayne County Community Assoc., (304) 453-2033 or Julie or Norm at wvsoro.org or (304) 346-5891

Additional Meetings Planned
We are also tentatively planning meetings for Harrison/Doddridge County (follow up for the September 8 meeting in Bridgeport), Mingo/McDowell County and Morgantown/Monongalia County.  More details available soon. 

WV SORO Newsletter Coming Soon
We hope to have the latest edition of Surface Owners' News in the mail and available at the www.wvsoro.org later this week.