Chambermemberonlysurvey
Q1Onascaleof1-5,howknowledgeable
areyouaboutdrillingandhydraulic
fracturing(alsocalledfracking)?
Answ ered:144 Skipped:14
(nolabel)
0
0.5
1-Notknow ledgeableatall
(nolabel)
3.47%
5
1
1.5
2
2.5
2
3
4
15.28%
22
38.19%
55
31.25%
45
1/7
3
3.5
4
5-Veryknow ledgeable
11.81%
17
4.5
Total
144
5
Av erageRating
3.33
Chambermemberonlysurvey
Q2Doyouknowthedifferenceindrilling
andfracking?
Answ ered:158 Skipped:0
Yes
No
Notsure
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Answ erChoices
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
Responses
Yes
87.34%
No
6.96%
11
Notsure
5.70%
9
Total
138
158
2/7
Chambermemberonlysurvey
Q3Areyouawarethatthatoverone
millionwellshavebeenfracked
successfullyintheUS,includingover
2,600wellsinLouisianainthelast6years?
Answ ered:154 Skipped:4
Yes
No
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Answ erChoices
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
Responses
Yes
67.53%
104
No
32.47%
50
Total
154
3/7
Chambermemberonlysurvey
Q4Whichofthefollowingstatements
belowmostaccuratelymatchesyour
opinionabouttheuseofhydraulic
fracturing(fracking)?Selectallthatapply.
Answ ered:157 Skipped:1
Iamnot
opposedto...
Isupportthe
useoffrack...
Isupportthe
useoffrack...
Iamopposed
totheuse...
Ihav enot
madeupmym...
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
Answ erChoices
Responses
49.04%
77
Iamnotopposedtofrac kingifsafeguardsareinplac etoensurethattheaquifer(thatsuppliestheparishwithdrinking
water)willnotbedamagedorpolluted.
22.29%
35
Isupporttheuseoffrac kingbec auseIthinkweshouldsupporttheoilandgasindustrywhic hissuc hanimportantpartof
ourc ommunityandahugeproduc erofjobsinourregion.
21.66%
34
Isupporttheuseoffrac kingbec auseitisalreadybeingdoneonawidespreadbasisandhasbeenproventobesafe.
29.30%
46
Iamopposedtotheuseoffrac kingbec auseIamc onc ernedaboutthepotentialeffec tsontheenvironmentandIdon’t
trustwhatthec ompanyissayingaboutitssafety.
12.74%
Ihavenotmadeupmymindaboutfrac kingbec auseIdon’tthinkIhaveenoughinformationaboutit.
TotalRespondents:157
20
4/7
Chambermemberonlysurvey
Q5Doyouhaveanyotherconcerns
regardinghazardoussubstancesor
environmentalissuesinSt.Tammany?
Answ ered:157 Skipped:1
Yes
No
Notsure
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
Answ erChoices
50%
60%
70%
80%
90% 100%
Responses
Yes
36.31%
57
No
47.77%
75
Notsure
15.92%
25
Total
157
5/7
Q6 Additional comments. Please let us know any other thoughts you have in the space
below.
Answered: 56 Skipped: 101
Pro:
I'm not opposed to the possibility that producing oil and gas in the US would lower has prices
and reduce dependence on foreign oil. 7/7/2014
Some say "Fracking is bad." I say that running out of gas is a lot worse. 7/6/2014
Please don't let emotions cause you to decide against this. 7/3/2014
The potential horizontal well(s) planned in St. Tammany have no more risk of polluting the
aquifer than conventional vertical wells drilled throughout the state for decades. This is a factual
statement supported by an extraordinary amount of real data. The more practical concern in my
view, if there are any legitimate concerns, would be the level of O&G activity in the subject
area that would proliferate should the test well(s) prove commercially viable. Generally, this
would be considered an acceptable level by those with financial interests in this activity
(including landowner royalty beneficiaries) and unwelcomed by those who do not have
financial interests in the activity. 7/3/2014
This is all so silly....fracking is an acceptable process and Helis should be allowed to proceed
7/3/2014
It seems to me that this company is trying its best to comply with all requests and is taking on
all financial responsibility to go above and beyond. 7/3/2014
There is a small vocal group of people in St. Tammany who feel that this Parish is divided
between an "in" crowd and an "out" crowd. This small group consistently floods the Parish with
misinformation and hysteria whether the issue is a new Wal-Mart, subdivision, office park,
whatever. The business leadership needs to develop strategies to deal with them as they are
creating an antibusiness reputation for our community. 7/3/2014
I wish the "fractivists" would stop portraying themselves as the voice of St. Tammany. They do
not speak for me. I support fracking. While the fractivists have a right to speak their opinion,
the publicity that they are receiving is making the people of St. Tammany look like ignorant,
extremist fools. I believe that those who are in support of fracking and who are knowledgeable
of the issues surrounding fracking should speak up. 7/3/2014
We have plenty of laws in place, they just need to be enforced. 7/3/2014
I think the folks opposing this issue, need to be better educated on the subject and understand
this is an important issue for our area and should be granted. It's not like they are doing in their
back yards and its wide spread already, why would St. Tammany be on the losing end again,
because of uninformed residents. 7/3/2014
I believe fracking is safe if the inspections are done properly & the safety standards are
enforced. I have heard Charlotte Batson speak about it twice. 7/3/2014
We should establish the same safety guidelines as California. If they have allowed it and it is
being done without problem we should follow their lead. As a State they are known to have
taken the best stand in putting in safe guards to protect the environment. 7/3/2014
I think the people who are so adamantly opposed to fracking are short-sighted and misinformed.
I think it's safer than a lot of people think it is. My opinion regarding Question 4 would actually
be a combo of the first three choices, if that were an option. 7/3/2014
Fracking is Jobs! 7/3/2014 10:42 AM
I have lived in several parts of the country such as Pennsylvania where fracking has taken place
for a while now and I have only seen positive changes to those communities and no
environmental issues to be concerned with. 7/3/2014
If fracking occurs in St. Tammany, it should be subject to zoning laws in order to make sure it
only occurs at appropriate locations within the parish. 7/3/2014
Con:
Our water source is of great concern to me and I don't trust that it will be safeguarded! 7/8/2014
Development is expanding too fast for the infrastructure of parish. Not enough roads and
schools. Also, seems ok to clear property for development, but not for agriculture or ongoing
timber production. Parish will become too urbanized and reflect the likes of Jefferson Parish if
not managed correctly now. 7/8/2014
I really would like to support fracking in St. Tammany, but I'm skeptical that those doing the
fracking are misrepresenting the potential risks. If there is an accident (polluting the aquifer,
etc.) who pays? 7/5/2014
Risks of surface spills and there is always the possibility of accidents happening (no matter how
safe it may be). Risking the well-being, stability and quality of life of the area is not worth any
amount of money. 7/4/2014
We are concerned that an oil well can be drilled in property zoned for single family housing. Do
Parish zoning regulations have any value?? 7/4/2014
This particular well site in St. Tammany places a sole source water aquifer, the Lake
Pontchartrain basin and Lacombe water shed in danger if an accident should occur. In my
opinion, there is too much environmental risk to allow for the minimum reward to the
community. Secondary concerns are a proven record of property value declining around well
sites. I also feel that question number 4 is biased for multiple reasons; there are 3 obvious
approval of fracking options and one opposed option. The opposed option includes a trust factor
in the company. The option to oppose fracking and trust the safety record should be an option.
Offshore oil drilling is safe and continues to be safe. There are accidents that happen offshore
all the time. The difference being that there is a large volume of water to disperse spillage and
allow for little environmental impact. St. Tammany sits directly north of one of the largest
estuaries (Lake Pontchartrain basin) where even a minor accident would be devastating to miles
of shoreline. 7/3/2014
I am not opposed to the practice of fracking, but I am opposed to fracking so close to our
community. There are more remote areas where fracking would be more appropriate where the
long term effects can be studied at length (10-12 years) to ensure that no long lasting effects
occur. Not to mention the added burden on our roads from the transportation of the materials
needed for fracking. 7/3/2014
I think that is disingenuous to add the part about not trusting the company on the only choice
that is anti-fracking. I am knowledgeable about hydraulic fracturing, I have a degree in
petroleum engineering and worked in the oil industry for 20 years. I even designed a few frack
jobs. However I have a water well and my house is not far from the proposed location. I would
have to say, that in general, I believe it is safe but don't want it in the vicinity of my house and
water well. 7/3/2014
I own land, and I am very concerned about my land value if they are allowed to frack. It has
made me consider going ahead and putting my lot up for sale before property values decline. I
also am considering how large the "shelf" is that they are drilling into and if I should move
completely out of St. Tammany Parish before the water goes bad, and I get sick. 7/3/2014
We discourage all forms of industrial manufacturing through our tax structure we pride
ourselves as being family oriented. This has no place in our parish. Take it elsewhere. 7/3/2014
The location of the well is too close to Lakeshore High School and residential developments.
7/3/2014
Are you aware that question number 3 is leading and pointed unfairly in a destructive
direction?!?! Did you know that 600 chemicals, toxins and carcinogens are used PER
FRACTURE. 40,000 gallons of chemicals are used PER FRACTURE. 1-8 MILLION gallons
of water PER FRACTURE! I am disgusted by St. Tammany Parish Govt to allow this into our
Parish, especially Abita! ... THOUSANDS of FRACKASTROPHES since Jan 2014 ALONE!
THIS IS AN ATROCITY TO OUR AREA!! 7/3/2014
Number 3 is a very leading statement. The jury is still out on fracking with growing evidence
that surface accidents are common along with destruction of the surrounding and regional
ecosystems. Additionally storage, transportation and disposal of fracking waste water is highly
suspect...where are the facilities to store and dispose of these byproducts? The brine is
radioactive and the practice of disposal into old wells is a growing concern everywhere it is
taking place with Oklahoma now experiencing 200-300 minor earthquakes annually, up from 23 with the likely cause being the disposal of frack waste water. While the practice of fracking is
relatively "safe", the ancillary cause and effect is not. 7/3/2014
http://www.thenation.com/blog/178534/exxons-pro-fracking-ceo-suing-stop-fracking-nearhismansion. WE ONLY HAVE ONE AQUIFER AND WE CANT RISK AN ACCIDENT.
7/3/2014
Still researching...but I will never agree that fracking should be allowed in our Parish. 7/3/2014
I am opposed to drilling or fracking so close to my office 7/3/2014
St. Tammany Parish needs to STAY and MAINTAIN A PRISTINE environment. I have
noticed that with "progress" our parish is gradually being turned into Metairie, Gretna,
Chalmette and St. Rose. I believe better planning with a focus on the needs of the
TAXPAYERS and not just BIG business should be in the forefront of the Chamber. 7/3/2014
As a parent of a 17 year old severely autistic son we were told many years ago that the MMR
vaccination was necessary and not harmful. That was not correct but it was given out of greed
by the drug manufacturers. Those vaccinations are now not grouped together. I am not in favor
of fracking or drilling in residential zoned areas. The risk is not worth the "reward". I don't want
to find out 15 years from now there were long term unknown damaging effects on the
environment in the immediate area or the safety precautions were open to human error. Sorry but still have Deepwater Horizon on the brain as well. 7/3/2014
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor has issued a report that indicates that the Department of
Natural Resources is unable to perform adequate inspections of wells in the state. Given the
inability of government agencies in St. Tammany Parish to function with transparency and
without significant corruption issues, it is not a good time to bring in a controversial process
such as fracking. St. Tammany would be well served to protect the aquifer that has been
historically important to this region by prohibiting this process. As someone who has a Master
of Science in Environmental Science and over 15 years of experience in the environmental
field, including cleaning up oil field waste sites, I am acutely aware of many of the issues
surrounding the industry. 7/3/2014
#4 Additional statement: I support the use of fracking in general but do not believe it should be
done anywhere near large communities. Surely in our vast rural parish there are potential sites
not within 2-3 miles of neighborhoods, schools, etc.? While I believe fracking *can* be done
safely, it is not without risks. And when dealing with a populated area, the risks are not worth
whatever reward there is. Of course the company is going to promise safety. Has a company
ever done otherwise?
They promise safety on the front-end and deal with whatever negative effects happen on the
backend, after the fact. If something bad happened, they pack up and leave, WE, St. Tammany
Parish, have to deal with the fallout. We've all worked so hard to make this place great for us
and future generations, why embrace this risk? Do we need this? I think not. 7/3/2014
Concerns for wastewater and long-term effects. 7/3/2014
Neutral:
We as people need to educate ourselves before we take a stand opposing growth. 7/8/2014
Number four is baited. Cannot answer. Trust trust trust. The whole thing has been handled
poorly from the beginning. How can we trust our local government now? The government has
been walking tightrope anyway. Coroner, DA and Sheriff. Crazy parish we live in. And now
our PP could be on the take as well. It will play out. We'll see. The voice of the people need to
be heard. 7/7/2014
Anything that helps with our economy is important to me. But I do not want the environment
effected. 7/3/2014
I would like to see more attention to cleaning up the Lake & dredging waterways. 7/3/2014
I have talked to people on both sides and understand that the company, Helis is it, has an
excellent reputation and they claim it is safe. They say there would be periodic testing of the
water, but what if the testing has a negative reading. Won't it then be too late? I have had the
fracking explained to me and understand it will be cracked far below our aquifer. I have a home
with a well and know that it would be affected but wouldn't the public water be affected as well,
they get it from the same place I believe. I would love more information and will read your
articles. I also read or heard somewhere that fracking has caused earthquakes in places where
they never had them before....... I would like to know if this is true. 7/3/2014
A few months ago, the Parkway Pipeline was installed going all the way across Lake
Pontchartrain, through Mandeville, and through Pelican Park where hundreds of kids play
sports every day. Where was the anti-fracking crowd then? Nobody opposed it. The Mayor of
Mandeville even support the pipeline. While it may not be near the aquifer, isn't an
environmental accident just as likely? Where is the consistency? 7/3/2014
Historically, what has gone wrong with past Fracking projects? Can the Oil Company guaranty,
100%, that no damage will occur to our drinking water. If so, then I am not opposed. 7/3/2014
I would be interested in the company’s safety record or environmental reports or incident
reports. 7/3/2014
Flooding of residences is a MAJOR concern of My Neighborhood, OAK ISLAND in
Mandeville! 7/3/2014
Lack of flood protection 7/3/2014
I am still trying to determine how I will go with this. At first I was dead set against it but I want
to hear all the facts from all the parties. A main issue is that it took so long for the company to
come out and say anything about this. Even more importantly it looked to me like our parish
president knew about this issue yet said nothing about it until it exploded onto the scene. As a
matter of fact she still has not come out and said what her opinion on this subject is. I have
heard from many parish officials and what their opinion on this is. What is the St. Tammany
president's office view of it now? I think it is important for the chamber to press her on this
even if we all like her. Stop saying we can't do anything about it and make a stand one way or
another. No more fence straddling. It also appears to me the leadership of the chamber has
fallen into this same mode. It also almost appears to me this survey is slanted toward pro
fracking. That being said we need to study it, discuss it, and make a stand one way or another
especially if the parish president’s office does not do so. This is my opinion only. However, this
issue affects all of us personally and business wise. 7/3/2014
I am concerned with how this survey is designed and the questions asked and how they are
asked that it could lead us to believe that the Chamber may have a position in support of
"Fracking". Is that the case? 7/3/2014
Question number 3 is a loaded question and makes this entire survey suspect. If you answer yes
you are in support of "Successful Fracking" which I bet that all of those wells have not been
around enough to be deemed successful in my mind. If you say no then you appear uninformed. My guess is this question can be used more by the fracking supporters. "Yes"
checked boxes "Support Successful Fracking" and "No" checked boxes show an un-informed
populace on how "Successful" fracking can be. It's a bad question and I almost did not fill out
the rest of the survey. I wonder how many other educated business owners got put off by that
question and closed the survey. 7/3/2014
My main concern about fracking involves the contamination of groundwater due to fracking. I
am doubtful that companies could "guarantee" that they would eliminate the possibility of
groundwater contamination. If they are wrong, what do they then do about it? Nothing. I am not
as much concerned about the possibility of earthquakes which have been reported. Bottom line:
Prove that you can avoid groundwater contamination and I will most likely pull my objection.
7/3/2014
I have read and seen news reports of additional fracturing concerns related to earthquakes in the
Oklahoma, Colorado and California area that is of concern when reviewing overall information.
7/3/2014
It is very important that both sides of this issue are heard and I don't think that has been done.
7/3/2014
Response to #5 above is applicable to the extent that I would learn of any credible safety
concerns regarding environmental or hazardous substance issues in St. Tammany. I do not
currently know of any, with the possible exception of air quality. 7/3/2014
Your survey and your recent emails are very biased and blatantly obvious. It is possible to be
opposed to fracking not because of the options you put in your list. And the one you put first in
4, "I am not opposed" is obviously trying to cause people to accidentally hit it, as the rest of the
"pro" responses are support not am not opposed. Shameless. 7/3/2014
A lot of hysteria. 7/3/2014
Occasionally I read your articles in various magazines and newspapers. The one published
Sunday was exceptionally well stated. Whether drilling will be approved in St. Tammany is
unknown at this point. However the yelling and screaming by some residents of the parish at
meetings and on TV interviews has to stop. This past weekend we had the pleasure of taking
our two grandkids to The Pizza Man. In comes a man wearing a tshirt with FRACKING
CAUSES DEATH on the front and back of his tshirt. And, he had a similar statement posted on
his automobile. Thank God my grandkids cannot read. For 40 years my husband has worked as
a petroleum and natural gas engineer. I am very proud of the work he does. The residents of St.
Tammany deserve to get their questions answered by both sides in calm, factual discussions.
But please, leave the FRACKING CAUSES DEATH tshirts at home. 7/6/2014