Drilling in Blackwater

[Hatch]

How I missed this I do not know, but apparently the push from State Representative Doug Broxon has been ongoing to long-term lease parts of our State Forest to big oil/gas.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sectio...x?BillId=49579

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/br...cument-1.88773

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130205/...lling-proposal

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130125/...water-drilling

"Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given approval for exploration in the 190,000 acres"

"That bill, first introduced by state Rep. Clay Ford, R-Pensacola, died without being passed in March."

There's two names that I will be voting against every time I see them from now on.

[Orange Crushed]

Originally Posted by Hatch

How I missed this I do not know, but apparently the push from State Representative Doug Broxon has been ongoing to long-term lease parts of our State Forest to big oil/gas.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sectio...x?BillId=49579

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/br...cument-1.88773

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130205/...lling-proposal

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130125/...water-drilling

"Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given approval for exploration in the 190,000 acres"

"That bill, first introduced by state Rep. Clay Ford, R-Pensacola, died without being passed in March."

There's two names that I will be voting against every time I see them from now on.

I hope this thing falls on it's face!

[haystack]

I guess you don't use oil/gas

Some of the benefits just might include:
-less dependence on foreign oil
-cheeper gas prices
-lower property taxes

[Barney]

Originally Posted by Orange Crushed

I hope this thing falls on it's face!

Me too. I remember oil exploration in Blackwater back in the 70's, trucks all over the forrest shaking the ground, leaving rectangular impressions everywhere.

[Mugwest]

Originally Posted by haystack

I guess you don't use oil/gas

Some of the benefits just might include:
-less dependence on foreign oil
-cheeper gas prices
-lower property taxes

I call Bullshit on all 3 exhibits, your Honor. Thanks for playing.

[haystack]

Originally Posted by Mugwest

I call Bullshit on all 3 exhibits, your Honor. Thanks for playing.

I guess you don't know about North Dakota

[PFSGATORS]

Originally Posted by haystack

I guess you don't use oil/gas

Some of the benefits just might include:
-less dependence on foreign oil
-cheeper gas prices
-lower property taxes

Shutdown riding area, trashed national forest

[Dr.Z]

Originally Posted by haystack

I guess you don't use oil/gas

Some of the benefits just might include:
-less dependence on foreign oil
-cheeper gas prices
-lower property taxes

Yea, it's awesome to see an active oil well rig in Canyonlands National Park on the way to Dead Horse Point.


Hell, maybe they can clear cut BW and put oil rigs everywhere. We might be able to carve a few trails in, out, & around the rigs.

Drill baby, drill!

[ineptizoid]

Originally Posted by Hatch

How I missed this I do not know, but apparently the push from State Representative Doug Broxon has been ongoing to long-term lease parts of our State Forest to big oil/gas.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sectio...x?BillId=49579

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/local/br...cument-1.88773

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130205/...lling-proposal

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130125/...water-drilling

"Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has given approval for exploration in the 190,000 acres"

"That bill, first introduced by state Rep. Clay Ford, R-Pensacola, died without being passed in March."

There's two names that I will be voting against every time I see them from now on.

Hatch, saw the article in today's PNJ about this very thing; I read the paper this AM and that was absolutely the first time I can remember hearing anything about it from a news source. Last year a couple of our local riders told me they've seen exploration trucks in BW, and warned me that it was prolly just a matter of time before they started drilling.

I tell ya what, I ain't a tree-hugger but I am a conservationist. And when it comes to our (relatively) tiny little 190K-acre wilderness oasis known as Blackwater State Forest, well the last thing I wanna see in it is oil and gas exploration trucks running around all over the place. As my grandparents used to say--I'm agin it, and that's an understatement.

George Washington Hayduke approves of this post

[Mugwest]

Buh-bye, Mr. Broxson

[Area51]

http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/art...fm?id=31212105

This year, HB 431, filed Tuesday, resembles the final version of the bill that died in the House last year, said Dale Patchett, a Fairways lobbyist.


The bill states that it only applies to Blackwater River State Forest, where Patchett said the forest management plan provides for limited oil and gas production.

They have the target in sight. Time to fire up a letter generator.

[Madhouse]

Back around 2000, they did some 3d seismic testing just above Blackwater Forest in Alabama Conecuh Forest (Both forest touch at the state line). Apparently they didn't find anything worth more than a few test holes.
They DID mash out a bunch of trails with their big seismic tractors that made for some fun bike riding till the Conecuh forest rangers ran us off months after they were done.
They got plenty static from the gopher tortoise and woodpecker protection groups the whole time.


Maybe they won't find anything a few miles south either.
We could help by keeping their routes mashed down for future reference.

Maybe lemonaid from lemons?

[Vico1]

I find it truely ironic that the GOV in general protects the forest from use by PEOPLE to keep all the little critters safe... except when real MONEY is involved and then - well its ok -...

Take Eglin - we cant get off designated roads to protect the widlife and preserve the forest. I get it. Im fine with it.
OH wait - Special Forces need land - NO PROBLEM - clear cut what you need....thousands of acres we could not touch is not clear cut...

Should this be "Pee Leak"

[Woods Rider]

I agree Vic and all.

We've been through the dance for many years to get the riding area opened. Now they drag their feet and find reasons not to move forward.

Funny how money talks though!

[GaryM]

Maybe I can get a job with the drillers? Damn, I would do it for free. I want oil!! DRILL BABY DRILL!!!