Toxic but Terrific Tour! Tour of Environmentally Toxic Sites to be Held in Terrific Ashtabula, June 4th 2016, 1-4 pm

Ashtabula County Water Watch (ACWW), an all-volunteer community group focused on water quality issues in Ashtabula County, announces a tour of the county’s environmentally toxic sites and places of remediation; to be held on June 4th from 1 to 4 p.m. TheToxic but Terrific Tour highlights the county’s growing legacy as a toxic waste dumping ground, including current injection well sites, earthquake epicenters, and past and present Superfund sites. The tour also emphasizes the terrific aspects of Ashtabula County and the area’s positive efforts towards environmental remediation and alternative energy. ACWW’s main message is clear, “We want our terrific communities to have freedom from toxic fracking waste and earthquakes.”

Special attention will be paid to the increasing presence of underground injection wells to dispose of the toxic waste generated by horizontal oil and gas “fracked” wells. The tour is being held in conjunction with the “National Day of Action: Freedom from ToxicFracking Waste and Earthquakes.” Tour organizers hope to raise awareness in the community and inspire others to take action. “We really didn’t want this tour to be just about what’s wrong in Ashtabula County,” said one of the tour organizers John Wright. “We want people to feel encouraged by this information to get involved in environmental justice and help us all gain freedom from toxic waste and earthquakes in our communities.”

The tour kicks off at 1 p.m. from the Harbor Topky Library, 1633 Walnut Blvd, in Ashtabula. It will start with a brief presentation by Vanessa Pesec of NEOGAP (Network for Oil and Gas Accountability and Protection). Pesec will give an overview of fracking activity in the area, provide information about the hazards of horizontal drilling, and discuss the impact of injection wells and drilling by-products.

Attendees will then board a bus for a two hour tour. Attendees may drive separately if needed – maps will be provided. Organizers note, “We know people are busy on Saturdays in the summer. You are welcome to join us for as much or as little as you are able.”

ACWW invites members of the public to learn about Ashtabula County’s toxic past and efforts to reach for a cleaner future. To reserve a seat on the bus, or to coordinate travel plans with the tour, please contact Ashtabula County Water Watch via email at acwaterwatch@gmail.com, by phone at (440) 549-0111, or via the Facebook event page.

This event is free and open to the public. Funds for the tour were provided by a mini-grant from the Center for Health and Environmental Justice. Tour sponsors include: Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake Counties Farmers Union; Lake Effect OEFFA; FrackFree Geauga; FrackFree Lake County; and the NE Ohio Sierra Club.

 

View the Tour Stops here!