Members Speak

Road conditions this winter have been especially difficult with all the snow and freezing rain we have had.  All of this is of course made much more difficult and hazardous by the heavy truck traffic.  The gas company has made a concerted effort to help by bringing in their own snow removal equipment - I think they have provided the primary removal service for the stretch of 89 from Newdale to the Silver Hill Fire Department.  The real issue here is that some of the heaviest traffic dramatically increases risk to local residents under the best of weather conditions and when conditions deteriorate it becomes insanely dangerous.

Some of this could be mitigated by a combination of increased enforcement coupled with increased snow removal efforts by the State.  I believe the state has a process for restricting traffic on all state highways during adverse weather conditions.  Generally State officials are reluctant to restrict travel except in extreme conditions.  Why?  I would suggest that in part it is because nobody in this State wants to have their personal liberties restricted (Mountaineers are Always Free).  State officials are also reluctant to do anything that will cause the gas companies to complain to elected officials in Charleston.  Our State depends on the revenue and the jobs these companies generate and our officials will continue to push the limits to allow these companies to operate with minimum disruption. This also explains why the PSC is so reluctant to do any meaningful enforcement of weights and permits.  Bottom line - there will not be increased enforcement of existing laws and regulations without a significant public outcry and demand for change (I mean lots of registered voters sending a clear message to elected officials that this is a priority).

Increased snow removal efforts by the State may be an easier task in that it would directly benefit the very folks that States officials are so interested in helping - the gas companies.  I also think that reps from the gas company would be willing to team with us to encourage officials to help in this area.  It aint much but it may be the best we are going to get.

On another topic, I was reflecting on your note concerning the geological survey effort that is underway and the rights of landowners in restricting access.  First of all I just cannot reconcile the fact that ownership of surface and minerals could have or would have ever been separated.  This is completely illogical and as such anything that flows from it is just not going to make any sense.  I think the thing that bothers land owners the most is that we do not have control over the land we own and that is inherently unfair.  The other problem I have with it is the fact that the compensation is out of proportion.  As the land owner I suffer the most from the intrusion and I benefit the least. Frankly I am not interested in compensation - I am only interested in living in an unspoiled place in the country.  I am denied this basic right on my own land that I have bought and that I pay taxes on.  How does that make sense? We need to find a way to put surface and mineral ownership back together.