Chesapeake Energy's Rape of a Neighborhood

Yesterday I blogged about the damage being done by Chesapeake Energy to Scott Avenue in East Fort Worth, adjacent to the Tandy Hills Park Natural Area.

This morning I had incoming from Don Young, with pictures, on the same subject.....

Using the word "rape" as a metaphor should always be done sparingly and with sensitivity and only when people have grown numb to reality. In the case, I believe it is an apt word to describe the violence inflicted on the people whose lives are impacted by the action depicted in these photos. There is no better metaphor to express the sense of violation committed by Chesapeake Energy on this neighborhood and these extraordinarily rare and scenic prairie hills.

I urge you to come see for yourself what the City of Fort Worth has allowed to happen, once again, in east Fort Worth. The city staff, under the direction of Mayor Mike Moncrief, was presented with a clear choice: Deny the permit and risk a costly lawsuit or protect people and neighborhoods. In other words, enforce existing zoning regulations. No one said it would be easy or without risk. At the end of the day they chose to side with Chesapeake Energy and a handful of mineral owners.

Moncrief and staff did so with full knowledge of the negative impact to the neighborhood and nearby Tandy Hills Natural Area. They did so knowing that Chesapeake has plans to expand the drill site and add dangerous pipelines to the mix. Once again, they failed to do the right and honorable thing.

This latest attack should be more than enough reason to enact a moratorium on all new permits for gas drilling operations. Regardless of where you live in Fort Worth, this should concern you.
But, just being concerned does nothing. You, dear reader, must take direct action. Time is running out. Visit FW-Credo.org to learn how you can make a difference.

Also, if you will, let Mayor Moncrief hear from you: Mike.Moncrief@fortworthgov.org

Don Young
FWCanDo
P.O. Box 470041
Fort Worth, TX 76147

"God bless Fort Worth, Texas. Help us save some of it."