The PSU Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies will hold a roundtable on oil and gas drilling issue on July 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Centre County/Penn State Visitor Center, 800 East Park Ave., State College.

Pennsylvania is experiencing a modern “gold rush” with the renewed oil and gas exploration and recovery. If you are concerned with the effect this boom is having on existing roads, and the effect of new access roads, this roundtable is for you.

The Center has invited representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection, Allegheny National Forests, State Forest, Conservation Districts, Game Commission, PENNDOT, PSATS, oil and gas associations and producers, and others to attend.

The Center is receiving an increasing amount of calls voicing concern about the effect of oil and gas roads on the environment. The calls come from public and private entities alike, and usually fall into two categories: concern about the environmental impact of new access roads; and concern about the effect of hauling equipment on the condition of existing public roads.

The objectives of the roundtable are to: begin a dialog about road problems associate with oil and gas well roads; share ideas on what is working, and what is not and determine what actions or guidance are needed to address the problems.

This informal roundtable meeting will promote the open exchange and sharing of experiences and ideas. Please plan to attend with an open mind and a willingness to listen. The discussion will focus on the environmental effects of new access roads and the effect on existing roads. It will not deal with the effects of gas pads or the drilling operations themselves.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Kathy Moir at the Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at Penn State by sending email to: kam16@psu.edu or call 814-863-9983.

7/4/2008