May 26, 2016 3 min read

A “mineral extraction” zoning area has been added to the newest version of South Strabane Township’s oil and gas drilling amendment.

Township supervisors, working with solicitor Jack Cambest and attorney John Smith, designated locations “where drilling is going to take place,” said township manager John Stickle.

Under the current revision, deep-well drilling would be allowed as a conditional use within only the areas zoned I-1 and I-2 (industrial) and ME (mineral extraction).

“For property owners who wanted to have drilling and are not in the I-1 or I-2, they would apply for a change to that (ME) district,” said Stickle, noting he was not present during discussions of the new district.

Calls to Cambest were not returned.

Supervisor Edward Mazur said Wednesday he does not support the ME district.

“I don’t know of any other mineral extraction areas around the county,” Mazur said. “If you designate an area a mineral extraction area, it is a spot zone. You can spin doctor it any way you want, but it is still a spot zone.”

Mazur agreed with former township solicitor Thomas Lonich, who told supervisors Tuesday he was not speaking for or against drilling in the township, but questioned why Range, Columbia Midstream Services and Rice Energy were consulted when other companies have an interest in development.

“As presented, (the revision) fails to adequately represent the citizens,” he said. “Many conditions may not be enforceable.”

The township has been working for more than four years to revise its drilling ordinance. In February, supervisors hired Smith as a consultant.

Smith is the solicitor for Peters Township and represented Cecil and Robinson townships in a lawsuit that overturned parts of Act 13, the state’s oil and gas drilling law, in 2013.

A hearing to accept public input on the ordinance was continued again Tuesday to the board’s June 28 meeting.

Also continued was consideration of a conditional use application from Range Resources for the proposed Munce well site on Meadows View Road, in an A-1 agricultural zone.

Range filed a complaint Friday in Washington County Court challenging the township’s handling of its application.

The township planning commission on May 5 recommended denying the application because prwoposed changes to the zoning ordinance don’t allow for drilling in A-1 districts.

Range also asked the court to declare that approval previously granted in 2010 to develop the Munce site is still valid.

The planning commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. June 2 to consider the ordinance revision. Cambest expects supervisors to act on the ordinance at the June 28 meeting.

Other changes to the newest revision include the removal of a clause that allows supervisors to increase the 2,500-feet minimum setback for compressor stations based on physical characteristics, including distance from structures and parks. Wording that allows the township to increase setbacks of protected structures by 100 feet for each engine horsepower over 2,000 was also eliminated. That requirement was changed to include a minimum setback of 100 feet from any lot line.

Additions to the ordinance include the requirement that noise abatement structures surrounding engines and compressors be secured to a concrete pad to minimize vibration. The requirement of a community and environmental impact statement, including a report of baseline environmental conditions, schedule of construction and analysis of groundwater conditions, was added.