Dear Shalers,
In Part 1 of the Aquifer Contamination discussion we explored the pro's & con's of the proposed drilling that is expected, and seemed to have come to several observations:
1) Drilling is good for the economy and produces jobs and revenue
2) Drilling techniques have been used for a long time, and the fracing process is non-hazardous
3) The drilling can cause contamination when proper procedures are not followed
4) The companies doing the drilling are not looking out for anything other than to get the job done at the least cost to themselves
5) There are horror stories of real folks being negatively impacted, and those with an agenda (either pro or con) twist the facts to suit their own cases.
6) No-one is looking out for the landowners best interests- not the company, the state or the federal government.
7) What rules and regulations there are, and the agencies that administer/police them, are woefully inadequate

I believe that we are now in a position to examine how best to protect ourselves, our land, our neighbors and the environment as a whole. With that goal in mind, I'd like to examine the specific things that can be done.I have no quarrel with folks getting as much for their land as possible, nor anyone becoming better off because of the mineral wealth. Other sites focus on the ongoing values being offered, and negotiating postures. I'd like to focus on the things we ought to be trying to do to better protect ourselves.