Press Kit (pre Dec 2014)

November 21, 2014

Sheriff William Yessman
Schuyler Co. Sheriff’s Department
106 10th St.
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Dear Sheriff Yessman:

We in the We Are Seneca Lake community wish to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to you for interceding on the behalf of 86-year-old Roland Micklem of Geneva, a Seneca Lake Defender, for early release from the Schuyler County Jail yesterday.

We cannot and would not dictate to our members what they should plead. That decision is entirely up to their own conscience, and we often do not know their plan until they announce it in court. As a result, most of us were surprised when Mr. Micklem informed Judge Berry that he would not pay the fine.

Due to Mr. Micklem’s health issues, many of us were concerned about his decision to go to jail rather than pay the fine. He is very dedicated to our cause and to the health of Seneca Lake, the Finger Lakes Region, and our planet. That said, we were all so happy that he was able to go home early, and he is now in the care of those who love him very much.

We recognize and appreciate your act of compassion and wish you and your staff all the best for a happy, safe, and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Gratefully,

Darlene Bordwell, for
The We Are Seneca Lake community

cc: Schuyler Co. District Attorney Joseph G. Fazarry
105 9th St.
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Judge Raymond H. Berry
Reading Town Court
Reading Center, NY 14876

The Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming has released a letter opposing the gas storage facility. In it they say:

“Groundswell opposes the construction of Crestwood’s gas storage in the abandoned salt caverns under Seneca Lake and supports the peaceful civil disobedience of citizens who are standing up for the rights of all to have clean air, water, and soil.”

Here is the entire letter in Adobe Acrobat (pdf)

For Immediate Release | November 21, 2014 (download in Word format)

Contact: Faith Meckley, bluegirl3666@yahoo.com, 315-576-6590

12 Arrests Conclude Successful Week of Nonviolent Direct Actions

Watkins Glen, NY – 12 people were arrested this morning for trespassing at Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility gates on the shore of Seneca Lake. They follow nine yesterday, nine arrests primarily of business owners on Wednesday, eight on Tuesday and 10 on Monday. These 12 conclude an entire week of direct actions aiming to draw much-needed attention to the dangers of salt cavern gas storage and to stop Crestwood’s methane storage expansion approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. There were 48 arrests this week. In total, since its beginning on Oct. 23, the We Are Seneca Lake blockades of Crestwood have resulted in 73 arrests involving 65 unique individuals.

The 12 people arrested today are: Carey Harben, 47, of Hector; Lyndsay Clark, 53, of Springwater; Doug Couchon, 64, of Elmira; Susan Mead, 66, of Ithaca; Mariah Plumlee, 35, of Covert; Irene Weiser, 56, of Caroline; Deborah Cipolla-Dennis, 49, of Dryden; Leslie Potter, 70, of Big Flats; Rick Rogers, 66, of Spencer; Patricia Heckart, 63 of Trumansburg; John Wertis, 51 of Trumansburg; and Pete Angie, 34, of Ulysses.

Of these 12, Clark, Plumlee and Heckart have been arrested previously. All three appeared in the Reading Town Court on Wednesday of this week before Judge Barry. Clark and Plumlee plead guilty to their prior trespass charge and each paid the $250 fine plus a $125 court fee. Heckart plead not guilty to her trespassing charge in addition to a second charge of disorderly conduct. She is scheduled to reappear on Jan. 21 of the New Year.

Couchon, Weiser and Cipolla-Dennis risked arrest at previous actions but were not arrested.

These arrests come after Sandra Steingraber, who was arrested on Oct. 29 and taken to jail after refusing her fine on Wednesday, asked that a message be sent out to the community last night via a phone call from jail with Couchon. Steingraber asked that the community sign the Seneca Lake Pledge of Resistance, attend non-violent civil disobedience trainings, recruit others to sign the pledge and to take her place at the gates of Crestwood.

Each of today’s arrestees were charged with a trespass violation.

Quotes:

From Cipolla-Dennis:

“I am here because I think that our country is going in the wrong direction in energy, and we have to turn it around … and the only way that we’re going to do that is by civil disobedience because our government is bought and paid for. The people have to stand up.”

Cipolla-Dennis’s wife, Joanne Cipolla-Dennis, was arrested on Nov. 3. From Irene Weiser:

“I’m here because … we’re seeing gas build out all over the Finger Lakes in one way or another. This is a beautiful area with tourism, and wine industry, and agriculture industry that is our real future. Instead we’re seeing an industrial takeover that’s going to ruin the way of life and the quality of life here that people come to enjoy, and I’m here to defend that.”

From Couchon:

“I’m here because we can no longer afford further poisoning of our water, air, land, bodies, and homes by corporations who think nothing of poisoning us. That has to stop, so we’re making a stand right here.”

From Mariah Plumlee, mother of three:

“I think it’s really important to do this, and if everybody did this then we wouldn’t have this problem. We moved here almost ten years ago because we knew it would be a wonderful place to raise a family.”

From Clark:

“I love the Finger Lakes and I’m a firm believer in alternative energy, I’ve lived off the grid for 25 years,” Clark said. “I just feel committed to it, so I’m living it. If I’m not here, I just feel like I would not be doing my job.”

Clark’s husband, Coby Shultz, 54, of Springwater was arrested yesterday. Clark was present to witness and support his arrest.

Those who have been inspired by this week’s actions can get involved by signing the Seneca Lake Pledge of Resistance here: http://www.wearesenecalake.com/pledge-protect-seneca-lake/

Those who wish to support from home can make a contribution to the We Are Seneca Lake jail fund at the online button on the webpage: WeAreSenecaLake.com

Lastly, a page on WeAreSenecaLake.com is dedicated to those who have been arrested, and showcases quotes about why they were compelled to be arrested. To learn more about the Defenders, visit http://www.wearesenecalake.com/seneca-lake-defendes/

Background:

Protesters have been blocking the Crestwood gas storage facility gates since Thursday, October 23, including a rally with more than 200 people on Friday, October 24^th. On Wednesday, October 29, Crestwood called the police and the first 10 protesters were arrested. Yesterday, November 3^rd, another 15 protesters were arrested. More information and pictures of the actions are available at www.WeAreSenecaLake.com.

The unified We Are Seneca Lake protests started on October 23^rd because Friday, October 24^th marked the day that major new construction on the gas storage facility was authorized to begin. The ongoing acts of civil disobedience come after the community pursued every possible avenue to stop the project and after being thwarted by an unacceptable process and denial of science.

The protests are taking place at the gates of the Crestwood compressor station site on the shore of Seneca Lake, the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. The methane gas storage expansion project is advancing in the face of broad public opposition and unresolved questions about geological instabilities, fault lines, and possible salinization of the lake, which serves as a source of drinking water for 100,000 people. Crestwood has indicated that it intends to make Seneca Lake the gas storage and transportation hub for the northeast, as part of the gas industry’s planned expansion of infrastructure across the region.

*Note that the WE ARE SENECA LAKE protest is to stop the expansion of methane gas storage, a separate project from Crestwood’s proposed Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) storage project, which is on hold pending a Department of Environmental Conservation Issues Conference.

As they have for a long time, the protesters are continuing to call on President Obama, U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Governor Cuomo, and Congressman Reed to intervene on behalf of the community and halt the dangerous project.

In spite of overwhelming opposition, grave geological and public health concerns, Crestwood has federal approval to move forward with plans to store highly pressurized, explosive gas in abandoned salt caverns on the west side of Seneca Lake. While the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has temporarily halted plans to stockpile propane and butane (LPG) in nearby caverns—out of ongoing concerns for safety, health, and the environment—Crestwood is actively constructing infrastructure for the storage of two billion cubic feet of methane (natural gas), with the blessing of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

More background, including about the broad extent of the opposition from hundreds of wineries and more than a dozen local municipalities, is available on the We Are Seneca Lake website at http://www.wearesenecalake.com/press-kit/.

For Immediate Release | November 20, 2014 (download in Word format)

Contact: Faith Meckley, bluegirl3666@yahoo.com, 315-576-6590

Nine more arrested, marking 61 total arrests

Watkins Glen, NY – Nine people were arrested this morning for trespassing at Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility gates on the shore of Seneca Lake. These arrests follow nine arrests primarily of business owners yesterday, eight on Tuesday and 10 on Monday as the ‘We Are Seneca Lake’ civil disobedience campaign continues a fourth week of blockades to stop the gas storage facility. In total, 61 arrests involving 56 unique individuals have now occurred at the gates of Crestwood since the campaign began Oct. 23.

The 9 people arrested today are: John Burger, 56 of Dryden; Becca Harber, 64 of Newfield; Bruce Agte, 58 of Binghamton; Coby Schultz, 54 of Springwater; Margie Rodgers, 60 of Elmira; Britton Dougherty, 28 of Ovid; Maryl Mendillo of Aurora; Kathy Russell, 67 of Dryden; Sara Hess, 68 of Ithaca. When asked to provide her age, Mendillo insisted that she was “forever young.”

Schultz’s wife, Lyndsay Clark, was arrested on Nov. 3. She appeared at the Reading Town Court before Judge Barry last night, plead guilty to her charges, and paid her fine and court fees. Clark was present today to witness and support her husband’s arrest.

Rodgers marks the third member of the Seneca Lake 12, a group who were arrested in March of 2013 for blocking Crestwood’s gates, to return and be re-arrested in the We Are Seneca Lake movement. The other two are Michael Dineen, 65, of Ovid, who was arrested Nov. 18, and Sandra Steingraber, 55, of Trumansburg, who was arrested Oct. 29.

Steingraber, along with fellow arrestees Colleen Boland and Roland Micklem, went to jail last night after pleading guilty to trespass and refusing their fines. Micklem is being kept at the Schuyler County Jail in Watkins Glen, while Steingraber and Boland have been sent to the Chemung County Jail in Elmira. They were each given the maximum sentence of 15 days.

Today’s group of 9 interacted mostly with New York State Police, who were polite and cordial and willing to listen to the protester’s concerns. One trooper commented that he liked the protester’s “We Are Seneca Lake” t-shirts.

Each of today’s arrestees were charged with a trespass violation, and some of them have court arraignment dates scheduled as far out as Feb. 4.

Those who have been inspired by this week’s actions can get involved by signing the Seneca Lake Pledge of Resistance here: http://www.wearesenecalake.com/pledge-protect-seneca-lake/

Those who wish to support from home can make a contribution to the We Are Seneca Lake jail fund at the online button on the webpage: WeAreSenecaLake.com

Background:

Who Will Come for the Lawbreakers Inside the Gates?

Statement by Sandra Steingraber for Reading Town Courthouse press conference

November 19, 2014

Good afternoon. My name is Sandra Steingraber, and I live with my family across the lake in Trumansburg.

Sixteen We Are Seneca Lake protesters will face charges tonight—some at 5 pm and some at 7 pm—for peaceful acts of civil disobedience in the form of trespassing at the gates of Crestwood. I am one of them, and it’s likely that I will not be returning home tonight.

We Are Seneca Lake is a campaign that was born on October 23, which the date of our first blockade, after we learned that approval had been granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to expand the storage of methane in crumbling salt caverns that underlie the west bank of Seneca Lake. In granting this approval, the federal government swept aside demonstrable evidence for reckless risks, including methane leakage, salt cavern collapse, and salination of our lake.

These are all problems that have vexed other gas storage facilities similarly created from unlined, interbedded salt caverns. From Kansas to Louisiana, salt cavern storage of gas has brought death, water contamination, and economic ruin to communities. That is what we are standing against with our acts of civil disobedience.

The We Are Seneca Lake campaign is ongoing. Ten people were arrested on Monday, another eight yesterday, and, only an hour ago, nine of today’s 12 brave protesters were arrested. These 12 blockaded Crestwood’s two driveways on Route 14, successfully halting all truck deliveries into those entrances for an entire working day.

The 12 blockaders today include some bold-faced names known to many in the Finger Lakes community. And here is a role call:

Will Ouweleen, Conesus, owner of Eagle Crest and O-Neh-Da Vineyards;

Phil Davis, Hector, grape grower and owner, Damiani Wine Cellars;

Peggy Aker, Trumansburg, with Macro Mamma;

Stefan Senders, Hector, baker and owner, Wide Awake Bakery;

Anna Redmond, Trumansburg, Regional Access;

Julia Uticone, Cayutaville, Swamp Road Baskets;

Jessica Thorpe, Hector, Glen Mountain Market;

Asa Redmond, Ithaca, Regional Access; also a drummer with the Sim Redmond Band

Scott Signori, Hector, executive chef and owner Stonecat Cafe;

Chris Tate, musician, Hector;

And these ten were joined by PhD researchers, John Dennis of Lansing; and Chuck Geisler of Ithaca.

So, let me now turn that list of names into a direct address.

Memo to the CEO of Crestwood Midstream and all your investors:

The people of Schuyler County and the greater Finger Lakes who make wine, bread, baskets, music, science, and food distribution systems are now standing in united opposition to your dangerous plan for turn our community into a giant gas station for fracking.

A few days ago, the Schuyler County sheriff raised important concerns about safety, public health, and county resources. We welcome that conversation and want address his concerns directly.

In a Facebook post, Sheriff Yessman noted that his cars and his deputies had been sent to arrest an earlier group of protesters standing in Crestwood’s driveway when a call arrived to 911 about a cardiac arrest case. According to the sheriff, that victim could not receive a response from an EMT-trained deputy or the patrol car that was equipped with a defibrillator because those had been dispatched to us.

We agree with Sheriff Yessman that this triage decision was the wrong one. 911 calls should always come first. But we did not make that decision. Nor were not the ones who summoned the deputies. Crestwood did that.

To be very clear: we assure the sheriff that we wish to remain on the very bottom rung of his law-enforcement priorities. We are happy to blockade all day, as we did today. That’s why we are peaceful, non-violent, respectful, disciplined, and seek to create no emergencies or dangerous situations for anyone.

As for the tragic heart attack of one of our neighbors, the sheriff’s obligation is to protect public safety and he’s under no obligation to prioritize Crestwood over a medical emergency of our neighbor.

Out of this experience, we have some questions of our own. The first one is this: If the sheriff’s resources are stretched so thin that first responders cannot deal with a heart attack and a group of peaceful protesters at the same time, how will he deal with a fire, explosion, collapse, a tanker truck collision or otherwise catastrophic accident in a pressurized salt cavern full of explosive gases? Crestwood itself admits to the SEC that such accidents are among the many risks for which they are not fully insured.

Second, why are the Schuyler County deputies being turned into a private security force for Houston-based Crestwood—at taxpayer expense—when generations of residents are endangered by Crestwood’s plans to bring explosive gas into our community and bury it by a source of drinking water for 100,000 people? Who is our law enforcement protecting?

And who will come for the lawbreakers inside the gates?

The sheriff also raised concerns, in a later television interview, that protesters are consuming scarce county resources and draining his budget by tying up the courts, pleading guilty, and choosing jail sentences.

We understand that’s a problem and we offer these solutions. First, one big reason for the clogging up of the Town of Reading court is that one of its two judges, John D. Norman, works for Crestwood and has had to recuse himself due to his conflict of interest. Rather than reschedule future protesters who have been sent to him, as has been requested by us, Judge Norman has insisted that protesters appear before him, even though, presumably, he will then send them to his counterpart, Judge Berry. This is clearly a waste of taxpayer money. Sheriff, please take up your concerns with Judge Norman.

As for jail time, the sheriff has pointed out that it costs $85 to house a male inmate in the Schuyler County jail—and more for females, who must be remanded to jails out of the county. I have a proposed solution to this problem as well. Stop giving us maximum sentences—15 days—for the violation of simple trespass. Sheriff, please take this issue up with your district attorney.

I would be happy to NOT find out what they serve on Thanksgiving Day to prisoners in jail. So would my children. So would the taxpayers of Schuyler County. Out of sensitivity to all of us, I will thus be asking Judge Berry tonight to commute my sentence.

But if Judge Berry does sentence me to maximum time in jail, I will gladly serve my time.

Unlike Crestwood Midstream, I have respect for the law. Unlike Crestwood Midstream, who continues to salt our lake—exceeding its legal limits every single quarter of the year with its emissions—I do not believe that one should be able to break the rules, blithely pay a fine, and then go on breaking the rules. That’s why I will be continuing my civil disobedience witness in jail if I am ordered them.

But if I and other defendants—tonight and on the many Wednesday nights ahead—continue to receive the maximum jail time for trespassing, Sheriff Yessman, please keep in mind that we did not sentence ourselves.

And know this. We are young mothers and great-grandmothers and business leaders. We are your neighbors, the makers of your favorite wine, and the drummers in your favorite roots-rock band. We are fighting for water. We are fighting for life itself. We will not give up. Not in jail. Not in the rain. Not in the snow. You can’t freeze us out, starve us out, or arrest us out.

Because we are…Seneca Lake.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 19, 2014

Contact: Sandra Steingraber, 607-351-0719; Faith Meckley, 315-576-6590

Winery Owner and Local Business Leaders among 9 Arrested Today Blocking Crestwood Gas Storage Facility, Marking 27 Arrests This Week

Large Rally Planned at Arraignment for 16 Arrested Protesters Tonight, November 19 at 4:00 PM at Reading Courthouse

Winery Owners will Speak, and We Are Seneca Lake Will Address Questions Surrounding Capacity of Sherriff and First Responders

Watkins Glen, NY – Nine people were arrested this morning for trespassing at Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility gates on the shore of Seneca Lake. These arrests follow eight arrests yesterday and ten on Monday as the ‘We Are Seneca Lake’ civil disobedience campaign continues a 4th week of blockades to stop the gas storage facility. All total, 52 arrests have now occurred at the gates of Crestwood since the campaign began on October 23. There have also been multiple rallies with hundreds of people and numerous winery owners, local businesses and health professionals.

The 9 people arrested today are: Will Ouweleen, Conesus, Eagle Crest and Onehda Vineyards; Peggy Aker, 57, Trumansburg, with Marco Mamma; Stean Senders, 56, Hector, Wide Awake Bakery; Anna Redmond, 30, Trumansburg, Regional Access; Julia Uticone, 40, Cayutaville, Swamp Road Baskets; Jessica Thorpe, 31, Hector, Glen Mountain Market; Asa Redmond, 40, Ithaca, Regional Access; John Dennis, Lansing; and Chuck Geisler, 69, Ithaca; and Asa Redmond, 40, Ithaca, Regional Access. Redmond is also the drummer in The Sim Redmond Band.

Will Ouweleen, owner, O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest Vineyards in Livingston County, who was arrested this morning, said, “I’m here with the other people of the Finger Lakes today to defend Seneca Lake because we stand as one. I’m from Hemlock Lake. We are long-standing members of the wine industry. We’ve been here since 1872, and we were founded by a pioneering American who was an abolitionist and worked with Susan B. Anthony, and it’s in our heritage to stand up for what is right. The project that Crestwood is proposing is just a bad idea. It’s inconsistent with the values of the Finger Lakes.”

Phil Davis, grape grower, owner, Damiani Wine Cellars, and owner and operator, Davis Vineyard in Schuyler County, who was arrested this morning, said, “I’m a sixth generation native here. I have a farm and a small winery. The incompatibility of this is just so glaring. I’m just trying to make my presence known. I object so strongly to what they are doing here.”

Asa Redmond, a local business owner and the drummer for the Sim Redmond Band, one of the protesters arrested today, said, “Myself and my sister Anna are owners of Regional Access, a local, organic, and natural food distributor/ food hub. This family business was started by our father Gary Redmond, with a mission of promoting more sustainable and equitable local food systems. I know from first-hand experience how important the local food and wine economies are to this area. That is why I am here with my family and friends to stand up against the proposed expansion of gas storage and industrialization of this beautiful area we all call home for our families and businesses.”

A large rally is planned this Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 PM outside of the Town of Reading court, when the arraignment for 16 of the arrested protesters is scheduled, including nine of the ten residents first arrested weeks ago, among them Master Sergeant Colleen Boland-US Air Force (retired) of Elmira, Author and biologist Dr. Sandra Steingraber of Trumansburg, 76 year old mother and grandmother Jeanne Judson and her son Patrick of the Town of Burdett. Some protesters expect to be incarcerated who plan not to pay their fines.

The group will also address recent questions raised about the capacity of the sheriff and first responders, including concerns about what would happen in the advent of a fire, explosion, collapse or other accident at the Crestwood LPG and gas storage facility.

When: Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 PM.

Where: 3914 County Rd. 28 Reading Center, NY 14876

What: Large rally and press conference featuring arrested protesters, winery owners, business leaders, health experts and more, followed by the arraignment of 16 protesters, some of whom expect to be incarcerated.

Read more about the arrested protesters at http://www.wearesenecalake.com/seneca-lake-defendes/.

Background:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 18, 2014 (Download in Word format)

Contact: Sandra Steingraber, 607-351-0719

8 Arrested Today Blocking Crestwood Gas Storage Facility during 4^th Week of ‘We Are Seneca Lake’ Civil Disobedience Campaign

Those Arrested This Morning include Two from Syracuse; Large Rally Planned at Arraignment for 16 Arrested Protesters on Wednesday Evening, November 19 at 4:00 PM at Reading Courthouse

Watkins Glen, NY – Early this morning, eight more people were arrested for trespassing at Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility gates on the shore of Seneca Lake. These arrests follow nine arrests yesterday as the ‘We Are Seneca Lake’ civil disobedience campaign continues a 4^th week of blockades to stop the gas storage facility. All total, 43 arrests have now occurred at the gates of Crestwood since the campaign began on October 23. There have also been multiple rallies with hundreds of people and numerous winery owners, local businesses and health professionals.

The 8 people arrested today are: Katie Barrett, 55, Syracuse, Onondaga County; Catherine Middlesworth, 49, Syracuse, Onondaga County; Judy Leaf, 67, Ithaca, Tompkins County; Peter Tringali, 62, Ithaca, Tompkins County; Michael Dineen, 65, Ovid, Seneca County; Roland Micklem, 86, Geneva, Ontario County; Rev. Nancy Kasper, 55, North Rose, Wayne County; Laura Salamendra, 30, Geneva, Ontario County.

Catherine Middlesworth of Syracuse, said, “I grew up by Onondaga Lake, which is the most polluted lake in the world. If they do put gas storage near Seneca Lake it will open the whole state up to fracking. That’s what I think.”

Protesters noted that November 18 is the anniversary of Susan B. Anthony’s arrest, in 1872, for an act of civil disobedience in casting a vote in a presidential election.

Katie Barrett of Syracuse said, “Today we are voting for clean water. I believe this project is the infrastructure for fracking, and I don’t want it to move forward.”

A large rally is planned this Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 PM outside of the Town of Reading court, when the arraignment for 16 of the arrested protesters is scheduled, including nine of the ten residents first arrested weeks ago, among them Master Sergeant Colleen Boland-US Air Force (retired) of Elmira, Author and biologist Dr. Sandra Steingraber of Trumansburg, 76 year old mother and grandmother Jeanne Judson and her son Patrick of the Town of Burdett. A number of protesters expect to be incarcerated who plan not to pay their fines.

When: Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 PM.

Where: 3914 County Rd. 28 Reading Center, NY 14876

Read more about the arrested protesters at http://www.wearesenecalake.com/seneca-lake-defendes/.

Background:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 17, 2014 (in Word Format)

Contact: Sandra Steingraber, 607-351-0719

10 Arrested Today Blocking Crestwood Gas Storage Facility as ‘We Are Seneca Lake’ Civil Disobedience Campaign Enters 4^th Week

Large Rally Planned at Arraignment for 16 Arrested Protesters on Wednesday Evening, November 19 at 4:00 PM at Reading Courthouse

Watkins Glen, NY – Ten people were arrested earlier today for blockading Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility gates on the shore of Seneca Lake. This marks the fourth week of the ‘We Are Seneca Lake’ civil disobedience campaign to stop the gas storage facility, which has seen a total of 35 people arrested so far, including Dwain Wilder who just finished serving 8 days in jail after refusing to pay the fine following his arrest. There have also been multiple rallies with hundreds of people and numerous winery owners, local businesses and health professionals.

The 10 people arrested today are: Beth Peet, 47, Hector, Jeff de Castro, 60, Trumansburg, Mark Sciblia-Carver, 62, Trumansburg, Richard John Koski, 71, Trumansbrug, Faith Meckley, 19, Geneva, John Abbe, 49, Eugene Oregon, Jimmy Betts, 30, raised in Omaha, currently living in Iowa, Jane Kendall, raised in Vermont, long-time resident of NYC, Michael Clark, 29, Cleveland, OH, Kelsey Erickson, and from Carlisle, MA, graduate of Cornell University.

Beth Peet of Hector, NY, said, “My government is not standing up for me. I am here, taking a personal day from work, because my government has failed me.”

Local residents were joined today by a number of participants of the Great March for Climate Action, a nationwide walk across the country, 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. between March 1st and November 1st to demand action from leaders and every day citizens on climate change. After spending a week in Washington D.C. blockading the entrances of FERC’s headquarters every day, some of the Marchers came to the Finger Lakes, joined by local resident and fellow marcher Faith Meckley, to help stop Crestwood’s expansion project, approved by FERC.

Faith Meckley, 19, a journalism student at Ithaca College who was born and raised in Geneva, participated in the Climate March from May 24th in New Mexico until October 10th in Ohio, after which she came home to be a part of the movement to stop Crestwood’s ill-conceived project.

Meckley was arrested today as part of the blockade. Meckley said, “I am ecstatic to stand beside my fellow Climate Marchers as I put myself on the line to protect my home today. They come from all over the country and they are standing with me because they are my family and they want to protect me and my home. Their presence here goes to show that this is more than just a Finger Lakes or a New York issue. This is a national and even a global one. In a world where fresh, clean water is becoming ever more rare, we are sitting on a priceless treasure here that we may eventually have to share. We need to make sure that Seneca Lake and all the lakes are clean and healthy for generations to come.”

John Abbe from Eugene, OR, who was arrested today, said, “We have walked all the way across the country, from coast-to-coast, and in every state we witnessed cases of environmental and health devastation at the hands of industry. This region is unbelievably beautiful and worth more than all the money in the world. We are standing with Faith today to keep her home from becoming another industrial horror story.”

A large rally is planned this Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 PM outside of the Town of Reading court, when the arraignment for 16 of the arrested protesters is scheduled, including nine of the ten residents first arrested weeks ago, among them Master Sergeant Colleen Boland-US Air Force (retired) of Elmira, Author and biologist Dr. Sandra Steingraber of Trumansburg, 76 year old mother and grandmother Jeanne Judson and her son Patrick of the Town of Burdett. A number of protesters expect to be incarcerated who plan not to pay their fines.

When: Wednesday, November 19 at 4:00 PM.

Where: 3914 County Rd. 28 Reading Center, NY 14876

Read more about the arrested protesters at http://www.wearesenecalake.com/seneca-lake-defendes/.

Background:

Scource: We Are Seneca Lake

For Immediate Release November 11, 2014 (download in Word Format)

Air Force, Anti-Fracking Veteran Risks Jail, Stands Her Ground

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Colleen Boland (retired) joins renowned anti-fracking author, biologist Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., to form a human blockade of Crestwood’s proposed fracked-gas salt cavern storage facility on Seneca Lake.

On Wednesday, October 29, Boland, Steingraber and eight other protestors linked arms and formed a human blockade at the gates of Texas-based Crestwood Midstream as an Amrex Chemical tractor-trailer attempted to enter. The driver at first stopped about twenty yards in front of the protesters, then pulled up to within two feet of the human blockade and revved the engine. “We were not intimidated, but it was a cold day and you could feel the blast of heat coming from the engine. We held fast until the Schuyler County sheriffs arrived and cuffed us,” says Boland. Most of the blockaders were charged with trespass and disorderly conduct.

Crestwood’s own documents confirm their intent to use the facility to store and transport natural gas fracked out of the Marcellus shale.

“I’m here to protect the drinking water and resist the fracked gas infrastructure buildout in New York State. The use of these crumbling salt caverns as methane (natural gas) storage not only endangers the Finger Lakes but it will enable even more fracking in Pennsylvania and beyond.”—Colleen Boland

Recent studies indicate that methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and the major component of natural gas, is potentially a greater threat than CO2 with respect to climate instability.

Boland served on the National Space Council at the White House, the Pentagon, and in over 20 countries including Brunei, Oman, India, Solomon Islands, Korea and Japan.

“In reflecting upon those experiences and comparing them to where I am today, I realize a common thread. Water. Children in Malaysia, the Cook Islands, and the Philippines and children here in Schuyler County, and Dimock, PA and Longmont, CO and Fort Berthold, ND need access to clean water; for water is indeed life.” –Colleen Boland

The Pentagon released a report in October asserting decisively that climate change poses an immediate threat to national security according to the New York Times. Climate change, the Pentagon writes, requires immediate action on the part of the U.S. military. Boland served at the Pentagon and takes such dire warnings seriously.

“I’d like to dispel the notion that the only people standing up to protect our water, our air, and our communities are tree-hugging hippies or out of touch dreamers. Don’t get me wrong, I love trees, but I was never quite cool enough to be a hippie—and, I’m certainly not dreaming. I am peacefully defending the Finger Lakes region against all enemies—foreign and domestic; Crestwood is my enemy.” — Colleen Boland.

Boland is a volunteer board member for Ghar Sita Mutu, House with Heart, a home for abandoned children, a skills training center for destitute women, and an outreach program for needy families in Kathmandu, Nepal. She spent time as an in-country volunteer; tutored and mentored school-aged children in the House, taught literacy to impoverished Nepali women, and was a guest teacher in local schools.

Seneca Lake Defenders Arrested PRNewswire

Seneca Lake Defenders Continue Blockade PRNewswire

www.WeAreSenecaLake.com

#WeAreSenecaLake

#SaveSenecaLake

Background story from Food and Water Watch

contact: Christopher Tate, ctate@lightlink.com, 607.387.9285, 607.351.3768m

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 6, 2014 (download in Word format)

200 Rally in Support of First Ten ‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’ Arrested Protesters Arraignment; One Goes to Jail, Other Nine Returning to Court on November 19^th

Watkins Glen, NY – The arraignment for the 10 protesters arrested for blocking Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility gates on October 29 ended last night (November 5) with one protester, Dwain Wilder, choosing to serve a 15 day jail sentence rather than pay a fine, and the other nine scheduled to return to court on November 19^th due to judge’s uncertainty surrounding the charges of seven defendants and that the absence of the District Attorney in the courtroom. Two protesters plead not guilty and were also ordered to appear on November 19^th. 200 community members came out to the Town of Reading court in support of the arrested protesters, including winery owners and other local business owners.

The first 10 arrested protesters whose arraignment happened on Wednesday, November 5, are: Master Sergeant Colleen Boland-US Air Force (retired) of Elmira, Author and biologist Dr. Sandra Steingraber of Trumansburg, 76 year old mother and grandmother Jeanne Judson and her son Patrick of Burdett, Patricia Heckart of Trumansburg, Roland Micklem of Geneva, Chuck Geisler of Ithaca, Nancy Kasper of North Rose, Katherine Rossiter of Sayre, PA, and Dwain Wilder of Rochester. Read more about the arrested protesters at http://www.wearesenecalake.com/seneca-lake-defendes/.

Colleen Boland, who was arrested in a civilianized version of her Air Force uniform, said, “I retired from the U.S. military in 1995 as an Air Force Senior Master Sergeant. I served 4 years in the Army and another 13+ in the Air Force. I feel that by engaging in civil disobedience, I am continuing my service to my country in order to protect the health and safety of my fellow citizens. With the industrialization of this rich agrarian region that is encroaching upon us—unabated and from every direction—by the oil and gas industry, I reluctantly pulled out my boot polish and dusted off my fruit salad of awards and decorations and prepared to serve in a new way. Crestwood must go.”

Jeanne Judson of Burdett said, “My life began in Schuyler County in 1938, and I’ve lived 62 of my 76 years here. Three generations of my family have lived along the shores of this lake. I am a defendant in this court because an out-of-state energy company is threatening my community’s source of water. We drink it, we cook with it, we bathe in, and we fish in it. I am proud to defend water, which is life itself.”

“I grew up in the church. My dad and mom taught me to be responsible for God’s creation and to be responsible for the health and well-being of my neighbors and community. I see Crestwood as a direct threat to all that. I will do everything in my power to protect my community from this danger. That includes protecting the judge and his family and the police who arrest us. Most importantly, I’m protecting the children, who are left out of the decision-making but who will pay the price. The legacy we must leave our community’s children is a healthy future,” said Patrick Judson, age 39, Burdett, son of Jeanne Judson.

Lou Damiani of Damiani Vineyards, who came out to the rally in support, said, “Dangerous gas storage in the Crestwood salt caverns is incompatible with the rapid growth of our wine and tourism industries.”

Press Statement of Sandra Steingraber, Nov. 5, 2014 (Word version)

Ten people are here tonight to face charges resulting from an act of non-violent civil disobedience in the form of a blockade at the gates of Crestwood Midstream, which seeks to bury, in abandoned salt caverns on the west bank of Seneca Lake, billions of cubic feet of natural gas and so turn our peaceful Finger Lakes region, and the heart of New York’s wine country, into a gas station for fracking.

Sweeping aside substantive objections from the public and from independent scientists about possible geological instabilities in these old, interbedded salt caverns and dismissing concerns that pressurizing these caverns could force brine into the lake and explosive methane gas into unseen cracks and fissures of our shale bedrock, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved Crestwood’s Arlington Expansion Project on Oct. 24.

On the same day, a grassroots civil disobedience campaign called We Are Seneca Lake was born at the gates of this facility. The ten people arrested soon after represent the first cohort of Seneca Lake Defenders to appear tonight in this court.

I am one of them.

There will be many more.

As for our reasons for taking these measures—and civil disobedience is always a last recourse after all lawful avenues for redress of injustice have been exhausted—you will hear them from three of my fellow co-defendants.

As for me, there are many ways to describe my own journey to this place, but tonight I will allow Crestwood itself to explain my actions.

Here is an excerpt from Crestwood’s 10-K Report, which companies are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to disclose risks. In a section subtitled “Assets,” the company describes “Seneca Lake, a multi-cycle, bedded salt storage facility in Schuyler County, New York. . . .Its 19-mile, 16-inch diameter pipeline lateral connects the storage facility to Millennium and Dominion’s system.”

Crestwood then goes on to boast: “The interconnectivity of our storage facilities with interstate pipelines offers flexibility to shippers in the Northeast, and our facilities are located in close proximity to the Northeast demand market and a prolific supply

source, the Marcellus shale.”

The Section titled “Risk Factors” on pages 23 and 24, Crestwood says the following:

“Our business involves many hazards and risks, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance.

Our operations are subject to all of the risks and hazards inherent in the natural gas and NGL storage and transportation businesses, including:

• subsidence of the geological structures where we store natural gas and NGLs;

• risks and hazards inherent in drilling operations associated with the development of new caverns;

• problems maintaining the wellbores and related equipment and facilities that form a part of the infrastructure that is critical to the operation of our storage facilities;

• damage to our facilities and properties caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and other natural disasters, acts of terrorism, third parties, equipment or material failures, pipeline or vessel ruptures or corrosion, explosions and other incidents;

• leaks, migrations or losses of natural gas and NGLs;

• collapse of storage caverns;

• operator error;

• environmental pollution or other environmental issues, including drinking water contamination associated with our raw water or water disposal wells; and

• other industry hazards that could result in the suspension of operations.

These risks could result in substantial losses due to breaches of contractual commitments, personal injury and/or loss of life, damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other environmental damage. These risks may also result in curtailment or suspension of our operations. A natural disaster or other hazard affecting the areas in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our operations. We are not fully insured against all risks inherent in our business. In addition, we are not insured against all environmental accidents that might occur, some of which may result in toxic tort claims.”

Thank you, Crestwood, for that articulate description of why I am here.

As for what happens next, know this. None of us are fearless and none of us are particularly brave. It’s just that we are more scared of “storage cavern collapse” than we are handcuffs circling our wrists. We are more terrified by “leaks, migrations or losses of natural gas,” than we are a ride in a squad car. We are more alarmed by “environmental pollution, including drinking water contamination” than we are breakfast in jail.

We Are Seneca Lake is local, grassroots human rights movement. We look to Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and our own homegrown Seneca Falls women’s suffrage movement as our models. We are low on patience, but we are filled with resolve. What we know for sure is this: our love for Seneca Lake, which turns water into wine, and our love for our own children—whose blood plasma is Seneca Lake itself—greatly exceed the love that Crestwood investors feel for their profits. Which is why we will win. I am proud to be among the first wave of Seneca Lake Defenders. We are just getting started.

click on images for hi res version

11.3.14 Final Seneca Lake Press Release (in Word format)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 3, 2014

15 Arrested as Human Blockade to Protect Finger Lakes Region from Gas Storage Facility Continues Today, Entering Third Week

15 Arrests Today follow 10 Arrests Last Week as Residents tell Crestwood to Go Home!

Acts of civil disobedience seek to protect area just named Wine Region of the Year by the Wine Enthusiast magazine

SENECA LAKE, NY – Entering the third week, starting at 7:00 AM this morning protesters blocked the gates of Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility on the shore of Seneca Lake. 15 people were arrested at about 9:00 AM after Crestwood called the police. Last week, ten protesters were arrested in acts of civil disobedience blocking the gates, just as the 15 people did today. Protesters have held blockades at the Crestwood gate since Thursday, October 23; on Wednesday, October 29, they began blocking two of the gates to Crestwood. Notably, the ongoing protests also included a rally with more than 200 people at the Crestwood gate on Friday, October 24^th.

Friday, October 24^th marked the day that major new construction on the gas storage facility was authorized to begin. The ongoing acts of civil disobedience come after the community pursued every possible avenue to stop the project and after being thwarted by an unacceptable process and denial of science.

The unified action is called ‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’. More information and pictures of the actions over the previous weeks are available at www.WeAreSenecaLake.com.

The protests are taking place at the gates of the Crestwood compressor station site on the shore of Seneca Lake, the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. The methane gas storage expansion project is advancing in the face of broad public opposition and unresolved questions about geological instabilities, fault lines, and possible salinization of the lake, which serves as a source of drinking water for 100,000 people. A Capital New York investigation recently revealed that Governor Cuomo’s DEC excised references to the risks of underground gas storage from a 2011 federal report on methane contamination of drinking water and has allowed key data to remain hidden.

The 15 people arrested today are: Lyn Gerry, John Dennis, Mariah Plumlee, Bob Henrie, Laura Salamendra, Elan Shapiro, Lindsay Clark, Darlene Bordwell, Jodi Dean, Ruth Young (former Schuyler County Legislator), Paul Passavant, Stephanie Redmond, Joanne Cipolla Dennis, Martha Ferger, and Kenneth Fogarty.

Ruth Young of Horseheads, a former member of the Schuyler County Legislature, was among those arrested today, said, “We’re standing on what used to be a part of my legislative district in Schuyler County. I am embarrassed and saddened to see what is going on here, I’m sad to see that some of the people in this district are actually supporting this endeavor to store gas in a very unstable salt formation.”

John Dennis, PhD, of Lansing, who was arrested today, said, “I’m worried about water quality, there are severe salinity problems already, and I’m almost certain those will get worse because we think the existing problems are caused by gas storage started in 1964.”

Mariah Plumlee of Covert, a mother of three who was also arrested today, said, “I think it’s really important to do this, and if everybody did this then we wouldn’t have this problem. We moved here almost ten years ago because we knew it would be a wonderful place to raise a family.”

Lyn Gerry of Watkins Glen, a radio host in Schuyler County, arrested today, said, “Our elected officials have let us down, so we have to take matters into our own hands. I love Seneca Lake, I love this area. I’m not from here originally, I’ve traveled 3,000 miles to come to this beautiful place by this beautiful lake to live, and I’ve come from a place that greed has already destroyed. So I know what a land being destroyed looks like. So now, my back is to the wall and I must defend what I love.”

Note, press are encouraged to come to the court arraignment – for the ten protesters arrested on October 29^th – on Nov. 5th starting at 6:00 PM at the Reading Town Hall, 3914 County Rt. 28, Watkins Glen.

Recently, the Tompkins County Legislature approved a resolution that opposes gas storage on the lakeshore, as well as the Yates County Legislature. In so doing, they joined the Board of Supervisors of both Ontario and Seneca counties, which previously passed motions opposing gas storage, along with the Geneva City Council and the Watkins Glen Village Board.

Background:

Local businesses and wineries are part of broad opposition to Texas-based Crestwood-Midstream’s proposal to use old abandoned salt caverns along Seneca Lake to store millions of barrels of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and billions of cubic feet of natural gas. The proposal has generated opposition from over 200 businesses, over 60 wineries, 13 municipalities (including neighboring Watkins Glen) and thousands and thousands of residents in the Finger Lakes region who are concerned about the threat it poses to public health and safety, one of the state’s largest supplies of drinking water, the local economy, and the area’s growing wine and tourism industry.

Residents, wineries and other local businesses have issued emergency calls to President Obama, U.S. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Congressman Reed and Governor Cuomo to immediately step in and stop this reckless project that threatens the heart of the Finger Lakes, many people’s health and the drinking water source for 100,000 people.

Additionally, an investigative journalist with DC Bureau recently uncovered other scientific objections to the project, to which FERC did not give due consideration in issuing approval. Independent scientists have warned about the unstable geology of the salt caverns, including the fact that a 400,000 ton chunk of rock – roughly the size of an aircraft carrier – had given way in the very cavern that the company proposed to use for gas storage.

Furthermore, in August, Dr. Rob Mackenzie, a retired CEO of Cayuga Medical Center, a hospital about 20 miles east, raised objections. An experienced risk analyst, Mackenzie prepared a formal quantitative risk analysis of the Crestwood methane gas proposal. Mackenzie analyzed accident events — major fires, explosions, collapses, catastrophic loss of product, evacuations — at salt cavern storage facilities in the United States dating back to 1972. He concluded that the risk of an “extremely serious” salt cavern event within Schuyler County over the next 25 years is more than 35%.

According to Energy Information Administration data uncovered by Mackenzie – reported by Peter Mantius of DC Bureau – gas storage facilities in salt caverns in the United States have had high rates of problems. Between 1972 and 2012,there have been 18 “serious or extremely serious incidents” at U.S. salt cavern storage facilities, Mackenzie wrote, citing EIA data. That translates to an incident rate in the US of about 60%.

Mackenzie also found that nine of the 18 salt cavern incidents involved large fires and/or explosions; six involved loss of life or serious injury; eight involved evacuations of between 30 and 2,000 residents; and 13 involved extremely serious property losses.

Seneca Lake is economically critical to the region and New York State. A recent report on the state’s grape and wine industry showed that it contributes $4.8 billion to the New York State economy every year, supporting the equivalent of 25,000 full-time jobs, paying over $408 million in taxes, and generating over 5.2 million wine-related tourism visits. The Finger Lakes region, in particular, has gained increasing prominence as home to world-class wines, with many wineries earning awards in national and international competitions. Governor Cuomo highlighted the success of the industry at his 2013 Governor’s Cup Wine Competition in Watkins Glen, exactly where the gas storage facility is being proposed for location and this past summer, a Seneca Lake winery won the 2014 Governor’s Cup.

The region has become so widely known for its winemaking that vintners from the international community have begun to invest in the area as well.

The Finger Lakes is also considered a world-class tourism destination, with Shermans Travel naming it the #1 Lake Vacation in the world last year.

In addition to the over-industrialization such a storage facility would cause, salt cavern storage is historically unsafe. It presents the potential for explosive accidents and water contamination along the Finger Lakes. Salt cavern storage represents only a small percentage of gas storage facilities, but is responsible for the majority of instances of catastrophic failure. In 2001, gas migrated 7 miles from a salt cavern storage facility in Kansas, came up in abandoned brine wells and exploded, killing two people, destroying buildings and evacuating residents. There are many such abandoned brine wells just three miles from the proposed facility in downtown Watkins Glen, NY.

###

Press Release 10.30.14 (in Word format)

Thursday, October 30, 2014

For Immediate Release-Statement From Gas Free Seneca

Yesterday, Wednesday, October 29, 2014, 10 area residents were arrested at the gate to Houston, TX based oil and gas corporation Crestwood Midstream for blockading the access gates to their proposed LPG and methane storage facilities. Included in their number, the protestors included Dr. Sandra Steingraber, author and biologist, 86 year old Roland Micklem, Master Sergeant Colleen Bolland-US Air Force (retired), 76 year old mother and grandmother Jeanne Judson and her son Patrick and 6 others.

These ordinary citizens are taking the extraordinary step of putting their bodies on the line to protect Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes from this out-of-state corporation whose only goal is to develop gas storage as quickly and cheaply as possible, and who are receiving a blank check from the agencies responsible for overseeing these projects. The rubber stamp of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has already approved the expansion of fracked methane storage against the wishes of those of us who call this place home.

Ironically, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State DEC announced an Issues Conference at almost the exact time that those 10 people were getting hauled away.

Why do regular citizens take these extreme steps? When they feel that they are being ignored after years of trying to work within the system by runaway agencies like FERC, when DEC continues the permitting process after independent experts have pointed out the flaws in this misguided project, when our elected officials ignore our pleas, then out of a sense of frustration and helplessness they feel this is their last resort.

A contingent of local business owners, scientists, doctors and others went to our nation’s capital, Washingon, DC, a week ago and met with staff for US Senators Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed. We presented compelling arguments that these projects should be denied and we pleaded with them to intercede on behalf of their constituents with FERC. Our pleas have been falling on deaf ears for nearly 3 years now. Even though Congressman Reed has publicly stated that the Finger Lakes Region is too valuable a resource to allow hydro-fracking within its watershed, he has been silent on the gas storage project that carries the very same dangers with it. It’s time that our elected representatives in Washington stand up for the residents of the Finger Lakes Region and tell Crestwood that this is not a place for massive industrial gas storage.

Over 240 local and regional businesses and thousands of local residents have joined a coalition opposing Crestwood’s plans to industrialize our region putting the vibrant and growing winery and agri-tourism based economy we have here at risk. An independent study found that the risk of a serious or extremely serious catastrophic accident happening with this type of gas storage over a 25 year period is more than 40%. One incident like the catastrophe in Hutchinson, KS in 2001 would tarnish the brand of the Finger Lakes for generations.

Recognizing this, 13 municipalities in the Finger Lakes, including 4 counties, numerous Townships and the City of Geneva and Village of Watkins Glen have passed resolutions opposing Crestwood’s plans, most unanimously and across party lines.

We don’t want to take that risk so that an out of state corporation with no ties to the Finger Lakes and with zero liability in case of a catastrophic accident can take their profits back to Houston, TX, leaving us to clean up the mess.

We call on Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed to step up, speak out, and help their constituents keep the Finger Lakes safe from heavy industrial gas storage.

Oct30PressReleaseWeAreSenecaLake (Press release in Word format)

Blockaders Arrested at Crestwood Midstream Salt Cavern Gas Site

Ten members of the group We Are Seneca Lake were arrested Wednesday by Schuyler County Police for blockading an Amex Chemical Truck.

In spite of overwhelming opposition, grave geological and public health concerns, federal approval has been given to move forward with plans to store highly pressurized, explosive gas in abandoned salt caverns on the west side of Seneca Lake. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has temporarily halted plans to stockpile propane and butane (LPG) in nearby caverns—out of ongoing concerns for safety, health, and the environment—Crestwood is constructing infrastructure for the storage of two billion cubic feet of methane (natural gas), approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. We Are Seneca Lake formed in opposition to this decision.

Local businesses and municipalities are part of broad opposition to Texas-based Crestwood-Midstream’s plan to use crumbling, abandoned salt caverns along the west side Seneca Lake to store millions of barrels of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and billions of cubic feet of natural gas. The facility has generated opposition from over 200 businesses, over 60 wineries, 11 municipalities; Seneca Lake provides the drinking water to over 100,000.

The ten are: Patricia Heckart, Roland Micklem, Jeanne Judson, Patrick Judson (mother, son), Chuck Geisler, Nancy Kasper, Colleen Boland, Catherine Rossiter, Sandra Steingraber, Dwain Wilder

“Our federal government and our state officials are not here to protect us. I am here to protect the drinking water, and to get in the way of the fracking infrastructure build out coming in and around New York State.” Colleen Ballard, Senior Master Sergeant, USAF, (Retired), Former White House National Space Council

“Even though outstanding questions have been raised by scientists and the public alike about the inherent instability of these caverns and the possible fault lines and accidents that can happen here, a lot of that data are hidden away from us. ” Sandra Steingraber, renown author, biologist

“I’ll be back at the earliest opportunity. This is our Valley Forge and we have yet to cross the Delaware” – Roland Micklem, 86, Geneva, NY

Seven were arrested at the north gate, blockading a truck, and charged with disorderly conduct and trespass. Three were arrested at the southern gate and were charged with trespass. All have been released and have a Nov. 5th court date.

www.WeAreSenecaLake.com– video of arrest, background, bios

#WeAreSenecaLake

Contact: Chris Tate 607.387.9285, 607.351.3768 ctate@lightlink.com

Source: We Are Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen, NY

Ten people have been arrested while blockading 2 gates at the Crestwood facility. We expect a press release today

The ten are: Patricia Heckart, Roland Micklem, Patrick Judson, Jeanne Judson, Chuck Geisler, Nancy Kasper, Colleen Boland, Catherine Rossiter, Sandra Steingraber, Dwain Wilder

7 were arrested at the north gate, blockading a truck, and charged with disorderly conduct and trespass. Three were arrested at the southern gate and were charged with trespass. All have been released and have a Nov. 5th court date

(Click on images for full resolution version)

Left to right (All arrested) : Patricia Heckert, Colleen Boland, Catherine Rossiter, Chuck Geisler, Jeanne Judson, Patrick Judson.

Chemical truck blockaded moments before arrests

Dr. Sandra Steingraber and Roland Micklem (age 86) under arrest

Catherne Rossiter under arrest

Judson and Micklem in the police station

Heckert, Boland, Judson, Micklem, Judson, Kasper, Steingraber in the police station

The entire group just after being released

Click on images for full sized version

Final Crestwood Oct 24 Press Release (Downloadable in Word format)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2014
Contact: Isaac Silberman-Gorn 607-296-8265; Lindsay Speer 315-383-7210

‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’ – Over 200 Protesters Rally, Blockade and Shut Down Crestwood Gas Storage & Compressor Station in Finger Lakes

On Day of Major New Construction, Large Rally and Civil Disobedience Shut Down Facility as Residents Tell Crestwood to GO HOME!

Over 200 rallied today, accompanied by more civil disobedience (still ongoing as of 11:00 AM), after a dozen protestors formed a human blockade in front of Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility on the shore of Seneca Lake on Thursday, shutting down the facility all of yesterday. Today, major new construction on a huge gas storage facility is authorized to begin. This action comes after the community has pursued every avenue possible to stop the misbegotten project and after being thwarted by an unacceptable process and denial of science.

The unified action is called ‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’. More information and pictures are available at www.WeAreSenecaLake.com

The protests are taking place at the gates of the Crestwood compressor station site on the shore of Seneca Lake, the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. The methane gas storage expansion project is advancing in the face of unparalleled public opposition and unresolved questions about geological instabilities, fault lines, and possible salinization of the lake, which serves as a source of drinking water for 100,000 people. Outrageously, a Capital New York investigation just revealed that Governor Cuomo’s DEC excised references to the risks of underground gas storage from a 2011 federal report on methane contamination of drinking water and has allowed key data to remain hidden.

Speakers at the Friday rally included Lou Damiani, owner of Damiani Wine Cellars; Will Ouweleen, co-owner of the O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest Vineyards; Barbara Schiessher of Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association; Michael Warren Thomas, host of New York radio show ‘The Grapevine;’ former Schuyler County legislator Bob Fitzsimmons; and biologist and author Sandra Steingraber.

Barbara Schiessher of Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association said, “The expansion of the Crestwood facility will affect everyone who lives, works or plays on the lake, or consumes agricultural products from the region, including its award winning wines. It will affect the 100,000 residents who get drinking water from the Lake. It increases the likelihood of contamination of our air, soil and water, plus the always present risk of gas leakage, unpredictable explosions and sink holes such as have occurred in a number of salt cavern storage facilities of natural gas and LPG.”

Earlier this week, the Tompkins County Legislature approved a resolution that opposes gas storage on the lakeshore, while the Yates County Legislature passed a similar resolution last week. In so doing, they joined the Board of Supervisors of both Ontario and Seneca counties, which previously passed motions opposing gas storage, along with the Geneva City Council and the Watkins Glen Village Board.

Will Ouweleen, owner of Eagle Crest and O-Neh-Da Vineyards on Hemlock Lake, New York, said, “Today, Crestwood can officially begin construction for more underground gas storage in abandoned salt caverns on Seneca Lake, in caverns that have questionable stability and integrity. Caverns that previous owners abandoned due to a 400,000 ton rock collapse, which has gone unacknowledged by the present owners, Crestwood.”

Michael Warren Thomas said, “The significant risks of gas migration in these abandoned salt caverns threaten the world class wine region that Finger Lakes families have created.”

Lyn Gerry of Watkins Glen, who participated in the human blockade on Thursday, said, “As we literally put our bodies on the line, we once again call on President Obama, Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Reed to do what’s right and step in and stop this terrible project from ruining the heart of the Finger Lakes.”

Sandra Steingraber, PhD, a renowned biologist and author, who participated in the human blockade on Thursday, said, “Seneca Lake is a source of drinking water for 100,000 people and a source of economic prosperity for the whole region, not a gas station for fracking operations. It’s a place for tourists, wineries, farms and families. Speaking with our bodies in an act of civil disobedience is a measure of last recourse to protect our home, our water, and our local economy – with our bodies and our voices, telling Texas-based Crestwood to go home!”

Doug Couchon of Elmira, who also participated in the human blockade on Thursday, said, “Crestwood is threatening our water, our local economy and our families. We’ve tried everything to stop this disastrous project, and now peaceful civil disobedience is our last resort.”

Background:

Local businesses and wineries are part of broad opposition to Texas-based Crestwood-Midstream’s proposal to use old abandoned salt caverns along Seneca Lake to store millions of barrels of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and billions of cubic feet of natural gas. The proposal has generated opposition from over 200 businesses, over 60 wineries, 11 municipalities (including neighboring Watkins Glen) and thousands and thousands of residents in the Finger Lakes region who are concerned about the threat it poses to public health and safety, one of the state’s largest supplies of drinking water, the local economy, and the area’s growing wine and tourism industry.

The region has become so widely known for its winemaking that vintners from the international community have begun to invest in the area as well.

The Finger Lakes is also considered a world-class tourism destination, with Shermans Travel naming it the #1 Lake Vacation in the world last year.

###

Final Crestwood Oct 24 Press Release (Press release, downloadable in Word format)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2014
Contact: Isaac Silberman-Gorn 607-296-8265; Lindsay Speer 315-383-7210

‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’ – Protesters Rally, Blockade and Shut Down Crestwood Gas Storage & Compressor Station in Finger Lakes

On Day of Major New Construction, Large Rally and Civil Disobedience Shut Down Facility as Residents Tell Crestwood to GO HOME!

A larger rally accompanied more civil disobedience today, after a dozen protestors formed a human blockade in front of Texas-based Crestwood Midstream’s gas storage facility on the shore of Seneca Lake on Thursday, shutting down the facility all of yesterday. Today, major new construction on a huge gas storage facility is authorized to begin. This action comes after the community has pursued every avenue possible to stop the misbegotten project and after being thwarted by an unacceptable process and denial of science.

The unified action is called ‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’ and more information and pictures from the Thursday protest are available at www.WeAreSenecaLake.com

The protests are taking place at the gates of the Crestwood compressor station site on the shore of Seneca Lake, the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. The methane gas storage expansion project is advancing in the face of unparalleled public opposition and unresolved questions about geological instabilities, fault lines, and possible salinization of the lake, which serves as a source of drinking water for 100,000 people. Outrageously, a Capital New York investigation just revealed that Governor Cuomo’s DEC excised references to the risks of underground gas storage from a 2011 federal report on methane contamination of drinking water and has allowed key data to remain hidden.

Michael Warren Thomas said, “The significant risks of gas migration in these abandoned salt caverns threaten the world class wine region that Finger Lakes families have created.”

Background:

Local businesses and wineries are part of broad opposition to Texas-based Crestwood-Midstream’s proposal to use old abandoned salt caverns along Seneca Lake to store millions of barrels of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and billions of cubic feet of natural gas. The proposal has generated opposition from over 200 businesses, over 60 wineries, 11 municipalities (including neighboring Watkins Glen) and thousands and thousands of residents in the Finger Lakes region who are concerned about the threat it poses to public health and safety, one of the state’s largest supplies of drinking water, the local economy, and the area’s growing wine and tourism industry.

The region has become so widely known for its winemaking that vintners from the international community have begun to invest in the area as well.

The Finger Lakes is also considered a world-class tourism destination, with Shermans Travel naming it the #1 Lake Vacation in the world last year.

###

Crestwood Oct 23 Press Release Final V2 (Press release in Word)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2014
Contact: Isaac Silberman-Gorn 607-296-8265; Lindsay Speer 315-383-7210

‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’ – Protesters Blockade, Shut Down Crestwood Gas Storage & Compressor Station in Finger Lakes

On Eve of Major New Construction, Residents Shut Down Facility and Tell Crestwood to GO HOME!

Larger rally and more civil disobedience planned for Friday (October 24) morning.

More than two dozen residents put their bodies on the line today in a last-resort protest to stop Texas-based Crestwood Midstream from starting construction on a major gas storage expansion project in the heart of the Finger Lakes, which is authorized to begin this Friday. The protesters formed a human blockade in front of the facility’s gate, shutting down the facility since 10:00 AM (as of 2:00 PM, they are still there and will stay through the end of the day). This action comes after pursuing every avenue possible to stop the misbegotten project and after being thwarted by an unacceptable process and denial of science.

Pictures are available and free to use here: http://www.wearesenecalake.com/press-kit/

The protests this week – the ‘WE ARE SENECA LAKE’ action – are taking place at the gates of the Crestwood compressor station site on the shore of Seneca Lake, the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. The methane gas storage expansion project is advancing in the face of unparalleled public opposition and unresolved questions about geological instabilities, fault lines, and possible salinization of the lake, which serves as a source of drinking water for 100,000 people. Outrageously, a Capital New York investigation just revealed that Governor Cuomo’s DEC excised references to the risks of underground gas storage from a 2011 federal report on methane contamination of drinking water and has allowed key data to remain hidden.

One of the residents participating in the human blockade, Sandra Steingraber, PhD, a renowned biologist and author, said, “Seneca Lake is a source of drinking water for 100,000 people and a source of economic prosperity for the whole region, not a gas station for fracking operations. It’s a place for tourists, wineries, farms and families. Speaking with our bodies in an act of civil disobedience is a measure of last recourse to protect our home, our water, and our local economy – with our bodies and our voices, telling Texas-based Crestwood to go home!”

In spite of overwhelming opposition, grave geological and public health concerns, Crestwood has federal approval to move forward with plans to store highly pressurized, explosive gas in abandoned salt caverns on the west side of Seneca Lake. While the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has temporarily halted plans to stockpile propane and butane (LPG) in the caverns—out of ongoing concerns for safety, health, and the environment—Crestwood is actively constructing infrastructure for the storage of two billion cubic feet of methane (natural gas), with the blessing of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Doug Couchon of Elmira, another of the residents in the blockade, said, “Crestwood is threatening our water, our local economy and our families. We’ve tried everything to stop this disastrous project, and now peaceful civil disobedience is our last resort.”

Also part of the blockade on Thursday, Lyn Gerry of Watkins Glen said, “As we literally put our bodies on the line, we once again call on President Obama, Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Reed to do what’s right and step in and stop this terrible project from ruining the heart of the Finger Lakes.”

Friday rally and civil disobedience details

A larger rally, as well as continuation of the human blockade, is planned for Friday, October 24^th, rain or shine. Speakers at the rally will include Lou Damiani, owner of Damiani Wine Cellars; Will Ouweleen, co-owner of the O-Neh-Da and Eagle Crest Vineyards; Barbara Schiessher of Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association; Michael Warren Thomas, host of New York radio show ‘The Grapevine;’ and former Schuyler County legislator Bob Fitzsimmons.

WHAT: Rally, press conference and protest at the gates of the Crestwood compressor station site on Seneca Lake

WHEN: Friday, October 24 at 10: 00 AM, rain or shine

WHERE: Outside the Crestwood compressor station site on Seneca Lake

WHO: Finger Lakes residents, scientists, health professionals, winery owners, local businesses, Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association

All concerned citizens are encouraged to come and wear blue.

Background:

Local businesses and wineries are part of broad opposition to Texas-based Crestwood-Midstream’s proposal to use old abandoned salt caverns along Seneca Lake to store millions of barrels of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and billions of cubic feet of natural gas. The proposal has generated opposition from over 200 businesses, over 60 wineries, 11 municipalities (including neighboring Watkins Glen) and thousands and thousands of residents in the Finger Lakes region who are concerned about the threat it poses to public health and safety, one of the state’s largest supplies of drinking water, the local economy, and the area’s growing wine and tourism industry.

The region has become so widely known for its winemaking that vintners from the international community have begun to invest in the area as well.

The Finger Lakes is also considered a world-class tourism destination, with Shermans Travel naming it the #1 Lake Vacation in the world last year.

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