Citizens to Protect North Fayette: Legal Battle for Safety
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Help Us Fight for Our Health, Safety, and Community – GoFundMe for Legal Expenses
Citizens to Protect North Fayette launched this fundraiser to secure the legal representation necessary to challenge procedural errors made by representatives of North Fayette Township, PA.
On August 27th, North Fayette Township supervisors held a Conditional Use hearing regarding the proposed Semerod-Clinton well site. Numerous representatives from Range Resources, including a number of their attorneys, were in attendance. Range Resources representatives spoke at length about the project, including their plan to get started by the end of September 2024. Residents, taxpayers, voters were given very limited opportunity to ask questions or state their concerns. Our questions went unanswered. Range Resources Representatives dismissed any concerns voiced by residents, and Noth Fayette Township Supervisors dismissed residents from the meeting.
Citizens to Protect North Fayette held a public meeting in Fayette Farms. Representatives joined us from Food and Water Watch to explain Pennsylvania Zoning ordinances. Approximately fifty people attended that meeting online and in person.
Residents gathered to attend a September 28th 2024 North Fayette Township meeting where a petition with 82 signatures stating opposition to the proposed Semerod-Clinton well site was presented to the North Fayette Township supervisors. Residents again addressed the supervisors with their opposition and concerns. Numerous questions were raised by citizens but went unanswered. We were advised by the Township solicitor that the North Fayette Township Supervisors were Not permitted to answer the Concerns of the Tax paying citizens who voted for them.
On October 8th, despite overwhelming public opposition, the Board of Supervisors approved the Semerod-Clinton Conditional Use Permit, placing hundreds of families living in close proximity, students and teachers at Donaldson Elementary School at significant risk.
Industry representatives would have us believe that they operate safely and that they have no negative impact on the community, health and safety or the environment. This particular contractor has a history of environmental disasters, 2595 violations enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection with fines totaling $42,140,544. The dangers of fracking are well-documented. Much like Big Tobacco, the Oil and Gas industry has gone to great lengths to hide the data and evidence that proves the dangerous and sometimes devastating effects this industry has on humans, their homes and the air and water that we all need.
How the Funds Will Be Used
All monetary donations have been earmarked for legal fees. We have retained an attorney who has filed on our behalf a Statutory appeal with the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. The retainer, filing fees etc. are being covered by the donations made to the Citizens to Protect North Fayette GoFundMe campaign. Mailings, Right-To-Know requests, industry, media and environmental research are being done on a completely volunteer basis.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Together, we CAN hold our elected officials accountable to the taxpayers, citizens and voters of North Fayette Township. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to achieving justice. If you can’t contribute financially, please consider sharing this campaign with others who care about our cause.
Thank you for standing with us. We are your neighbors, fellow residents, taxpayers and Voters in North Fayette Township. Your support means everything to our cause.
Citizens to Protect North Fayette
Stephen Bates
Heather Forster
Please donate today, and visit us at
Organizer
Citizens to Protect North Fayette
Organizer
McDonald, PA