LEGISLATURE WILL CONSIDER SURFACE OWNER'S RIGHTS BILL

(01/26/2009)

The West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization wants state lawmakers to pass a Surface Owner's Bill of Rights during this year's legislative session. A rush to claim mineral rights to drill in the deep Marcellus shale has fueled interest in increasing property owners' rights. The Surface Owners' Rights organization has held public meetings around the state, trying to bring together residents and lawmakers on this issue. See www.wvsoro.org The group wants lawmakers to ensure good stewardship of the land and economic fairness in West Virginia's oil and gas fields. Sharon Marshok said, "We actually started a year and a half ago. The organization was actually developed or co-founded by David McMahon and Gary Zuckett - just trying to avoid abuses of property owners when drillers are coming out to drill wells." "We have several companies who do a great job, very respectful of properties, but we always have a few who don't follow the guidelines," she said. Paula Peaslee of Morgantown said, "I'm not a land owner, I just have the mineral rights, and I'm concerned about the land, but most concerned about the water and the enormous amount of water it takes to pump the Marcellus Well." Other people attending meetings said they're concerned about road maintenance and enforcement of property owner's rights agreements. Delegates say a surface owner's rights bill could be introduced early in this year's legislative session, although it has not been widely supported.

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