Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

A new federal study has found high levels of methane gas in water wells in the Southern Tier of New York, even in areas that aren't near oil and gas drilling. The U.S. Geological Survey says 15 percent of groundwater samples from 66 household wells across south-central New York contained methane at levels high enough to warrant monitoring or remediation. Higher concentrations of methane were found in water wells located in valleys. The USGS says the testing was done in the summer of 2012 and the study area includes about 2000 square miles in parts of Broome, Tioga, Chemung, Chenango, and Delaware counties. You can read more on the survey here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

If you felt the Earth move under your feet at around 9:45 this morning, you weren’t alone. The US Geological Survey says a 4.4 magnitude earthquake in Eastern Ontario, Canada, could be felt in the Buffalo area, about 350 miles away. The USGS originally said it was a 5.0 magnitude quake. People have told Buffalo media outlets that they felt their houses sway and the ground shake for less than a minute. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

RESTON, Va. — Landscape change in Pennsylvania's Greene and Tioga counties resulting from construction of well pads, new roads and pipelines for natural gas and coalbed methane exploration is being documented to help determine the potential consequences for ecosystems and wildlife, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report released today. USGS researchers, using geospatial data and high resolution aerial imagery from 2004-2010, documented spatially explicit patterns of disturbance, or land use, related to natural gas resource development, such as hydraulic fracturing, particularly disturbance patterns related to well pads, roads and pipeline construction. Spatially explicit data on the level of landscape disturbance -- which is geographic information systems data, mapped to a high degree of spatial accuracy -- is critically important to the long-term study of the potential impacts of natural gas development on human and ecological health. "The widespread use of hydrau...

A federal study says Lake Erie and some rivers flowing into it would offer ideal habitat for Asian carp, the invasive species that could threaten the Great Lakes’ multi-billion dollar fishing and recreation industry. The U.S. Geological Survey says the Maumee, Sandusky and Grand rivers have temperatures and water flows suitable for spawning by silver and bighead carp. Both species that have been advancing toward the Great Lakes for years after escaping into the Mississippi River and its tributaries from southern fish farms and sewage lagoons. The study released today says there is reason to worry about the potential threat to Lake Erie. http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3074 The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947