Welcome to Frackistan, the place that once was ideal

How many times would you guess you've heard the word "fracking" in 2011? Most might say enough. This is good. This means our community is engaging in communication, and this communication builds an even stronger community. Communication also reduces the polarization of conflicting views. Fracking is an issue that needs opposing sides to come together in search of truth and safety. We are all connected, and the sooner we realize we have a direct impact on our surroundings and that our surroundings impact us, the sooner we'll have the higher quality of life that we seek. It is a higher quality of life that we want, right?

Obviously, this high quality of life has a different definition to each world citizen. One example, pro-frackers argue that money is what we need to improve life while others argue that a ban on fracking will protect and improve life. Honestly, this is a no-brainer to me. Here's why. Since 1990, there have been reported cases of water contamination from the act of franking. In fact, ProPublica, a non-profit public interest group, in 2009 identified more than 1,000 cases of contaminated water in counties with wells, documented by courts, state and local governments ("A Case for a Ban on Fracking," Foodandwaterwatch.org, fact sheet June 2011).

There are real people across this country speaking up, talking about how they mistakenly leased their lands, ultimately destroying their homes and endangering their families. Is it odd to anyone else that people are reporting dead zones, sick and dead livestock, contaminated water and air around their land, and most importantly, devastating changes to the health of families around the wells, yet so many people are refusing to listen?

Tracy Frisch's article in ValleyTable.com, "Farmers Get Fracked" (pages 47-52), is just one piece that exemplifies this well. I strongly suggest that it be the very next article you read about fracking.

Some state regulators will even acknowledge privately that fracking will cause irreversible damage, yet their hands are tied until it happens. This is remarkable. Air and water are our most important resources, and state agencies created to protect them aren't doing their jobs. Is this because of the Halliburton loophole, which "excuses" gas and oil companies from following the clean air and water acts? Is this why people in positions to protect our resources for survival are afraid to hold these companies responsible? What about the roles of our county commissioners? Why are they not getting involved and ensuring that fracking is safe and right for Athens? Why have many areas, including France, Quebec and parts of New York, enacted moratoriums on commercial fracking, pending more study? Most importantly, why is money the most important variable?

If life is all about the money, what about this money? I'm considering selling our homestead and our rental property, as are a few others I've talked with. Some of these folks own unique businesses in this town that definitely add to the value of Athens. What if businesses that rely on organic food no longer have suppliers? What happens to the great sense of local economy that so many of us have been a part of?

After attending two lease-signing events to scope out what was going on, I learned that even the people who signed were worried about their land and water and were considering moving as well. If we're so motivated by money, why aren't more homeowners getting involve,d as property values could be impacted. And the fact that some banks will not approve mortgages for land with wellheads on them (as reported in an Oct. 19 article in the New York Times) is huge. Banks even recognize fracking as the terrible blunder.

We're such a unique town with a great sense of community and local economy. We're also unique because we currently have some of the highest cancer rates and levels of pollution in the country. The land around Athens, in almost every direction, has witnessed industries similar to fracking. Southern Ohio has hosted coal, coke, steel and mining industries that promised jobs, money and a better life. In the past 11-plus years, I've had the chance to connect with many true natives of this region, to know that they are not rich, that their quality of life has been greatly sacrificed, and most importantly, they willingly acknowledge it. This is our history, and it's time we listen, learn and evolve.

Fracking poses unacceptable risks to the public. There is no doubt about it; we will experience negative impacts from fracking. The pricetag put on the toxins left behind from fracking are NOT worth it. It's also not right that some people have no choice if their land gets fracked or their water (really our water) isn't drinkable, or that our cancer rates keep increasing as do other illnesses.

It's time we have a forward-looking scope, and we see that in five to 10 years our town will not be "booming" from fracking. We will be booming if we continue down the sustainable path we've embarked upon. Supporting our local businesses and depending on truly clean, renewable energy sources is the real PROGRESS Athens needs. Continue, or start, talking with friends and family, county commissioners and elected officials about this issue. It is time to stop destroying public air and water. Let there be true liberty and justice for all. 

Editor's note: Laura Post lives in Athens County on a small farm used to raise sheep and produce for her family and a handful of local businesses. She's also a health and wellness educator and a mother of one.