Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 16:20:01 -0500
From: Haw River Assembly
Subject: GASLAND film showing in Gulf, Dec.13
“GASLAND” film to be shown in Gulf, NC
Monday, December 13, 2010 7 p.m. – FREE-
Gulf Presbyterian Church , 1253 Gulf Road, Gulf, NC 27256
For more information please contact:
Elaine Chiosso, Haw Riverkeeper, Haw River Assembly (919) 542-5790
Hope Taylor, Executive Director, Clean Water for North Carolina (919)
401-9600
The documentary film “Gasland” will be shown on Monday, December 13 at the
Gulf Presbyterian Church in Chatham County. This award winning film (
www.gaslandthemovie.com) chronicles the environmental and human impacts that
have been caused by “fracking” for natural gas across the United States..
The showing is being co-sponsored by Clean Water for North Carolina, the
Deep River Park Association and the Haw River Assembly — non-profit
organizations working to protect rivers and clean water in NC. The Deep
River basin in Lee and Chatham counties is being targeted for this method of
mining for natural gas, and many people are concerned about the impact it
can have on their wells and lands.
Hydraulic Fracturing, or “fracking” involves high pressure injection of
sand, water and chemicals down thousands of feet into underground rock to
extract natural gas or methane trapped in the shale or coal seams.
Previously thought impractical in NC because of the existing shale’s extreme
depth and low yield; this new method of fracturing and horizontal drilling
would allow access. Current NC regulations do not allow either fracking or
horizontal drilling, so current regulations would have to be changed. The
energy industry is seeking to buy leases and overturn current legal
protections. Many people in NC are concerned about the protection of
people’s well water and farmland if this type of mining begins. There have
been many instance of drinking water wells being contaminated due to this
mining process, as well as surface water and air pollution from the above
ground storage (and leaking) of the toxic chemicals used. The fracking
process also requires huge volumes of water, used to inject and break the
rocks.
There are many counties in central NC that have possible shale seams
containing natural gas. The Deep River area, including Gulf, has been the
biggest focus to date by companies seeking to purchase leases for mineral
rights for natural gas extraction. In addition to showing the film, there
will be a presentation by Jordan Treakle from RAFI, a Pittsboro based
non-profit that works to support and protect the rights of farmers. He will
discuss the kind of leases that are being offered, and what people need to
know to protect themselves and their land and farms from being taken
advantage of.
There will be time for discussion and light refreshments following the
film. The film will be shown for free and is open to the public.
Gulf Presbyterian Church is located at 1253 Gulf Road, Gulf, NC 27256 in
southern Chatham County off of Hwy 421. A map and directions are located on
the church website at http://www.gulfpresbyterian.org/map.html