ODNR confirms migration from 4 injection wells in Washington County
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MARIETTA - An Ohio Department of Natural Resources report on the migration of brine water from four injection wells to oil and gas production wells was discussed at Thursday's Washington County Commission meeting.
Washington County Commissioner Eddie Place shared a report from ODNR during Thursday's commission meeting that said four wells have experienced migration of the brine, which is salt water used in the production of oil and gas wells, since 2019. Migration has been a concern for residents who worry material placed in injection wells could enter wells used for drinking water.
"We have seen firsthand, and we believe there has been migration happening," Place said, "ODNR does believe that there is migration happening. ... There's been (none of) the city wells contaminated. ...This is top-mind awareness for us."
The wells referenced in the report include Redbird No. 4 in Dunham Township, 3.5 miles northwest of Belpre; Redbird No. 5 on Ohio 339 in Belpre; American Growers No. 1 in Marietta Township along the Ohio River; and Nichols No. 1-A between Dunham Township and the unincorporated community of Constitution along Veto Road. Migration had previously been reported from American Growers No. 1 and Redbird No. 4.
The report stated in 2019, three owners of production wells in Washington County reported to the ODNR Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management "an increased flow of salt water, known as brine, during their extraction process in 28 production wells located in the Berea Sandstone formation. ... The owners believed the brine came from a nearby class II disposal injection well, Redbird No. 4."
Class II injection wells are defined as wells that contain brine and other liquids from oil and gas work. Those are not the same as the liquids used in hydraulic fracturing, which utilizes water, sand and chemicals under pressure to release oil or gas, according to ODNR.
The report stated that after discussions between the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management and the owners of the injection wells regarding the division’s concerns, the owners voluntarily agreed on July 1 and 2 of this year to cease injection operations at the four sites.
"The Division could have issued suspension orders to the owners, but it was not necessary as the owners have voluntarily shut down the wells in response to the Division's concerns," the report states.
The letter also states that during the shutdown of the wells, ODNR implemented continuous pressure monitoring devices, inspectors with the division conducted weekly visits to the impacted wells and would conduct a study of the private water wells near the impacted production wells in Washington County by Great Lakes Environmental Center.
Also during the meeting, commissioners discussed a request from the Washington County Veterans Service Commission for a reimbursement of $10,750 in legal fees.
Brad Webb, vice president of the Veterans Service Commission, stated they accrued the fees through a hearing process involving the commission's former executive director, Darren Shearlock, in which then-Prosecutor Nicole Coil recused herself, causing them to employ different legal counsel.
"We're asking for a reimbursement back into our budget," Webb said. "We didn't expect to have to go through a Loudermill hearing. We didn't expect for our free prosecutor to be taken away from us. ... We're asking to replace (the cost of the legal fees) so that we can finish our fiscal year and make sure our veterans receive all the services (available)."
A Loudermill hearing is a pre-disciplinary or pre-termination due process meeting required for public sector employees. Shearlock resigned on June 11, and the position remains open.
Commissioner Greg Nohe stated that with the absence of an executive director, the commission has saved the money that would have paid the salary.
"I think it's important to understand that there has been a salary savings," Commissioner Charlie Schilling said.
Schilling asked for a "snapshot" of the impact the legal fees have caused on the budget for the Veterans Service Commission.
Webb agreed to provide an outline of the budget.
"It's the optics of the whole thing here," he said. "This board does a lot of additional appropriations, and they're usually pretty high monetarily."
"It's the establishment of the $10,750 is taxpayer general fund money that comes in addition to the approved levy by the voters," Schilling stated.
The request was tabled for further discussion.
In other business, the commissioners approved the appointment of SeOPA President and CEO Eric Wade to the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance board, and Lainey Carpenter, a senior associate analyst with Perry Associates, to the Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
During public discussion, Holly Kellums, Marietta resident whose work appears on MASH Focus, asked for clarification on the community reinvestment area that was established in Waterford earlier this year.
"Has the CRA housing council been formed as required?" she said. "Is the CRA the vehicle for giving the data center developer a property tax exemption?"
Schilling stated the council has not been formed and confirmed the CRA is how a property tax exemption could be granted.
On the topic of a public meeting with the developer, Schilling said, "We've been requesting a (public meeting) to be able to put out public notice, (and when) the community open house will begin."
Staff Reporter Gwen Sour contributed to this article.
Sophie Wheeler can be reached at swheeler@newsandsentinel.com