We have identified the key issues in regards to Urban Drilling and have outlined them for you here. Click the links to the left for more detail on each topic.

UPDATE!

Channel 8, WFAA, ran a story Thursday evening, Oct. 29 on the effects of gas drilling emissions in the Barnett Shale. The story is entitled "Cancer-causing toxin found in air near gas facilities." You can find the video and the story at www.wfaa.com. This is important reading with new information from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. We encourage you to view and read the story.

Also, see the Friday, October 30, 2009 edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for Mike Lee's latest story on the issue of gas pipelines in residential front yards in Carter Avenue in East Fort Worth. What happens in this case is potentially precedent setting not only for Carter Avenue residents but for many other neighborhoods and residential areas in Fort Worth. The League supports Carter Avenue residents and all Fort Worth neighborhoods which do not want pipelines in front yards or neighborhoods.

Finally, on Tuesday, November 10, the Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to consider a change to the City's gas drilling ordinance which would allow for review of gas drilling sites and frac ponds within the boundaries of the City's 16 urban villages. These urban villages are scheduled for dense development and will be neighborhoods soon (some already are) -- review of drilling activities within these districts could also be precedent setting in the ongoing challenge of drilling/heavy industry within an urban context. We will encourage the Council to allow review of drilling activities within Urban Villages. Stay tuned for more League of Neighborhoods News on these topics in coming days and weeks.

Read the FWLNA GDTF Comments at Dec 2 Council

Read the Current Results of the FWLNA Survey

Read the Report from the FWLNA GDTF

Read the Report from the Pres Summit on Drilling

PLEASE NOTE: The FWLNA is not equipped, not does it intend, to offer legal advice in any manner. We are here to educate. The final decision on this issue rests with you and your neighborhoods. All contacts and resources listed are not endorsed by the FWLNA. They are simply listed for your convenience. Best of Luck!

Gas Well Drilling Applications Reports Click here to view the latest reports for applications filed to drill.

To comment on the Task Force recommended changes to the Gas Drilling Ordinance, please send your remarks to gasdrillingtaskforce@fortworthgov.org. Your comments will be forwarded to the Task Force Committee.

As you all know, we have asked the city Council and Mayor to reconvene the Gas Drilling Task Force. they have agreed and we are trying to gather a list of issues for this task force to work on for us. Please click here to email us with your concerns!

Presentation for Your NA

Gas Well Lease Rates Comparison Chart - This is a chart of lease rates (bonuses and royalties) that NAs have been able to negotiate. You may use this as a comparison for your NA.

Gas Drilling 101 - The facts on drilling in your neighborhood. - This is the PowerPoint deck presented at the October 23rd educational event. Please feel free to download and use in your neighborhoods.

Lease 101- What to know before signing a lease - This is a PowerPoint deck presented at two of our meetings. It was created by a local land attorney.

Contact Help

Bob West - available for legal advice for leases

Whitaker, Chalk, Swindle & Sawyer, LLP 301 Commerce Street, Suite 3500 Fort Worth, TX 76102 Email

James Huling - available for speaking and as a consultant for your NA

Kiamichi Energy Corporation

2308 Mistletoe Boulevard

Fort Worth, Texas 76110-1132

Audio and Video Files

Click here to listen to or view recordings from our meetings

Articles & Interviews

Unconventional: The Story of the Barnett Shale - NBC Documentary

Urban Gas Drilling Causes Backlash - NPR Radio

Time Magazine - FWLNA mentioned in the article

FW Business Press on Gas Leases - Written by Bob West

Websites

Blogs on Gas Drilling in Tarrant County

New Interactive Map of Gas Wells in our city.

Barnett Shale Energy Education Council - This non-profit group was formed through contributions of the energy companies to provide education to neighborhoods about the drilling process.

Fort Worth Star Telegram Blog - This blog was started to give people a forum to discuss opinions on gas well drilling in Fort Worth. Keep in mind, it is a blog, so not all the information can be guaranteed accurate, but they are trying.

http://www.askchesapeake.com/ - This is a great FAQ site on drilling. It is from the viewpoint of an energy company, but it is a good resource.

FWCanDo.org - Local Fort Worth Neighbors Information Site that has been against drilling since the beginning and gives their positions for why urban drilling is bad for Fort Worth.

Barnett Shale Newsletter - Sign up for this regular publication by Gene Powell. In it, he chronicles activities within the Barnett Shale. Past issues can be found on the website.

Drillsite Broadcast - This is a local company who install cameras at the drill site that can be accessed via the web.

Barnett Shale.com - This website was written by a local person involved in the drilling of the Barnett Shale for many years. It has lots of detail about the Barnett Shale itself.

Fort Worth Gas Drilling Noise Impact Study

City of Fort Worth Gas Drilling Resource Page - These pages include general information provided by the Planning and Development Department for Fort Worth.

City of Fort Worth Gas Drilling Ordinance - Read the entire text for our ordinance on gas well drilling.

TrinityTrees.org - This site was created by the Trinity Trees coalition who are fighting the placement of gas wells along the trinity river area.

Individual Energy Company Sites