BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVES CONDITIONAL USE OF VALHALLA

With certain restrictions, the Board of Supervisors of Wallace Township unanimously approved the Brandywine Valhalla Resort/Spa/Hotel complex proposed by Albert Greenfield III and partners. More information will follow as it is available.

SUPERVISORS TO ANNOUNCE DECISION RE: CONDITIONAL USE/VALHALLA BRANDYWINE RESORT

Please attend the Board of Supervisors' Meeting this Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 7:30 pm held at 1250 Creek Rd, Glenmoore. The Board will include the newest member elected this past Tuesday, Barbara D'Angelo. A full 20% of Wallace Township voters voiced their displeasure with her candidacy at the poles by voting for a write-in. Let's hope that all of the supervisors have seriously weighed the impact that a resort would have on the water, environment and residents' quality of life. Come hear their decision and tell them what you think- It will affect you!

SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

Victory Brewery in Downingtown will host a Movie Matinee with the Guardians of the Brandywine and offer lunch in support of preserving the Brandywine River! Please come out Sunday Oct. 4 from 1-4pm. Tickets are $50 and can be reserved at www.victorybeer.com or by calling 610-942-7966. Produced by Robert Redford, The Unforseen is a Sundance Film Festival Award winning film exposing the impacts of development on wildlife and natural areas- just like what we are facing in Chester County today.

SUMMERTIME

Summer is upon us! Maybe the rains will finally let up and allow us to appreciate the great outdoors! Seeing beautiful Chester County in the summertime will inspire us all to do at least one small thing to protect the waters and environment that we so much enjoy!

*NEXT CONDITIONAL USE HEARING TUESDAY MAY 12 AT 7:30 PM*

THIS IMPORTANT EVENING WILL BE DEVOTED TO TESTIMONY BY RESIDENTS ON THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED BRANDYWINE VALHALLA DESTINATION RESORT. PLEASE MAKE TIME TO ATTEND! THANK YOU!

PLEASE COME FOR TONIGHT'S IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL TESTIMONY

Protecting and preserving the natural gifts the Brandywine River offers is worth the trip! Please come out to this evening's conditional use hearing and learn what is at stake for our waters and environment if the bulldozers roll in for construction of a 600 acre Spa/Hotel/Resort/Golf Course. *Please read the Conditional Use Hearing info to the right. Thank you!

REAL EVIDENCE, REAL TESTIMONY, REAL CHALLENGES

LAST NIGHT'S CONDITIONAL USE HEARING BEGAN WITH TESTIMONY BY THE TOWNSHIP-HIRED TRAFFIC CONSULTANT. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE BEGINNING OF TESTIMONY BY LAND PLANNER & LANDSCAPE ARCHITECHT TOM COMITTA WHO DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF NOT ONLY MUNICIPAL & COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, SUBDIVISIONS, HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLANNING, LAND PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND DEMOGRAPHICS AND PARK AND RECREATION PLANNING AND DESIGN - BUT ALSO A DEEP LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE UPPER EAST BRANCH OF THE BRANDYWINE RIVER, LOCAL WETLANDS AND GEOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. A DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF HIS 36 YEARS OF DOCUMENTED EXPERIENCE WAS GIVEN TO EACH MEMBER OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES AS WELL AS EACH AUDIENCE MEMBER. MR COMITTA WILL RETURN TO PRESENT HIS FINDINGS NEXT TUESDAY AT 7:30PM AND EXPLAIN WHY THE VALHALLA BRANDYWINE SPA RESORT FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE TOWNSHIP'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND, AS NOTED IN THE CHESTER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT, IS NOT PROPERLY SUITED TO THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTALLY RICH AND SENSITIVE LOCATION.

EXPERT WITNESS TO TESTIFY AGAINST RESORT 3/24

Nationally recognized land planner Thomas J. Comitta, AICP,RLA,ASLA will testify about the many ways the proposed resort destination Valhalla Brandywine fails to meet the requirements of the Township's ordinances in Wallace. Please come at 7:30 PM (Wallace Township Bldg, 1250 Creek Rd, Glenmoore)and bring your friends and neighbors. Let the Supervisors know that the rural character of Wallace and our natural resources need to come first in planning any development.

Dependence on Foreign Oil is Bad, but What is Good?

There is a great deal of talk lately about solving the problem of America's dependence on Foreign Oil by utilizing natural gas found beneath the earth's surface here in the US. Upon first hearing this idea the natural reaction is to agree, if only to help keep American dollars from continually lining the pockets of countries and groups that ultimately wish us harm. Famous and wildly successful investor T. Boone Pickens appeared at last year's symposium of Auto Makers suggesting how truck engines could be converted to use liquified natural gas. This morning he was on "The View" promoting the drilling and piping of natural gas once again (to be fair, along with increased use of solar and wind power). Amid the applause you have to wonder how many people care that this man made his billions extracting oil and gas, and has bought the water rights of 200,000 acres in Texas alone with the intent to pipe and sell the water? "Don't get the idea that I've turned green," Pickens told the Guardian British Press in April 2008 from the Dallas offices of his new venture Mesa Power. "My business is making money, and I think this is going to make a lot of money." He's rich and powerful and has the ear of Washington- and he's promoting his agenda on TV and in web campaigns. But let's talk a minute about the process of drilling for natural gas. The advent of natural gas well drilling and development in the Marcellus shale formation of the Upper Delaware River Watershed has taken the region by storm with the recent signing of hundreds of leases for wells on private land in both Pennsylvania and New York. Chesapeake Energy and several other national energy companies will apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) for permits to drill for natural gas using a new technology called hydraulic fracturing—commonly called “fracking”—which allows gas to be extracted from shale deep under the ground using millions of gallons of water per well drawn from the local watershed. This water is combined with chemicals and used to drill anywhere from approx 1500-5000 feet below the surface. Hydraulic fracturing has contaminated water supplies in other states, including Wyoming and New Mexico. The Endocrine Disruption Exchange (www.endocrinedisruption.com) analysis of products pumped deep into the ground during the fracking process to produce natural gas in Colorado revealed 278 toxic chemicals, 93% of which have adverse health effects. Some of this water used in drilling (which is now toxic and deposited into a large pool during the process)leaches into the drinking water aquifers and surface waters. Leaks in the collection pool can contaminate the local topsoil before being trucked out for disposal. Other gases (such as methane) commonly trapped deep within the underground rock are also released into local drinking water supplies during the fracking process. Still sound so good? And who owned 100,000 shares of Chesapeake Energy as of 12/31/2008? Mr. Pickens! Let's be careful with our resources and critical in granting access to them.

GAS PIPELINES COMING TO CHESTER COUNTY

CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE IT - BACK BUTTON TO GO BACK TO READ
Consider what these pipelines mean for residents of Chester County: Hundreds of landowners in Chester County are confronting requests from companies for larger rights-of-way to expand existing pipelines or for new rights-of-way to add lines.
And under federal law, the landowners might not have much choice. More than 700 miles of natural-gas pipelines crisscross Chester County. Last month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved a controversial expansion of a Williams-Transcontinental pipeline near Downingtown and Exton. An 88-mile pipeline proposed by the AES Corp. of Virginia and known as the Mid-Atlantic Express would run between Sparrows Point, Md., and Eagle in Upper Uwchlan Township. Thirty-two miles would be in Chester County.

Construction would affect more than 400 landowners, 2,500 preserved acres, and at least 20 streams and tributaries, including Brandywine Creek.**Proposed Dominion Pipeline will run through Wallace Township**

*****ORDINANCE HEARING 7 PM TONIGHT*****

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS JUST PRIOR TO THE CONDITIONAL USE HEARING

GREAT TIME AT THE FUNDRAISER!

We all enjoyed a wonderful tour and tasting with Bill from Victory Brewery! Quality water is the first ingredient and Quality Water is what we all care about! If we don't take care of the rivers, streams and lakes that will vanish. Thank you to Rep. Curt Schroder for attending and sharing his thoughts and insights on Chester County watershed issues! Thanks, too, to all those that so thoughtfully donated items for our auction.

PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION HOLDS PUBLIC MEETINGS

A total of 8 meetings (1 in each district) will be held to offer the public an opportunity to meet commissioners and staff and discuss current programs. The meeting in our district will be held February 12 at Montgomery County Community College, 101 College Dr., Pottstown. 6-7pm: Informal Open House, 7-8pm: Presentations include fisheries updates, habitat projects, outreach and education activities, and boating and access programs, 8-9pm: Q&A period.

***CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER***

THIS TUESDAY, FEB 3RD, 7:30 PM, ALBERT GREENFIELD & AUDUBON INC
PLEASE MAKE TIME FOR THIS IMPORTANT CONDITIONAL USE HEARING WHERE ALBERT M. GREENFIELD (DEVELOPER), AND AUDUBON INC. (GOLF COURSE CERTIFICATION CO) WILL PRESENT TESTIMONY AND BE CROSS EXAMINED IN REGARD TO VALHALLA BRANDYWINE SPA/RESORT/GOLF DESTINATION. LOCATION OF HEARING: WALLACE TOWNSHIP BLDG, 1250 CREEK ROAD, GLENMOORE.

ICE, ICE BABY!

I love fishing, but this is one thing I never got to see up close and personal until two weekends ago. When Marsh Creek Lake froze over it didn't take long for ice fishing enthusiasts to gear up and head out! I went out to chat with some of the fishermen and the reports were pretty good. I love the guys cooking the hot dogs!! I ran home after only an hour or so, but these fishermen really toughed it out. Best wishes for a good winter!

**COME TO THE FEBRUARY FUNDRAISER AT THE VICTORY BREWERY ON FEBRUARY 8!!**

Bring your friends, your relatives, and your love of a good time to the Victory Brewery in Downingtown, 420 Acorn Lane, on Sunday Feb. 8th from 3-5! You will enjoy a full tour of the Brew House and get to try 5 different types of Victory's hand crafted beer (and one of their famous pretzels!) while supporting the protection of our wonderful local waters! The cost is only $35 per person, and you'll receive 10% off Victory's great dinner menu if you would like to stay! Please show that you care about the Brandywine, our streams and lakes and reserve your spot by calling 484-238-8541 or email: watchourwaters@gmail.com

UPDATES ON CONDITIONAL USE AND ORDINANCE 1323 CHALLENGE

Hi, All! I hope that you all enjoyed a happy holiday season. Here are the meeting dates to put on your calendar!:
CONDITIONAL USE HEARINGS:
JAN 13, 2009
JAN 27, 2009 **
FEB 3, 2009
FEB 24, 3009
CONDITIONAL USE HEARINGS ARE HELD AT 7:30 PM, WALLACE TWP BUILDING, 1250 CREEK ROAD, GLENMOORE. **ZONING HEARING BOARD MEETING AT 7PM JANUARY 27 BEFORE THE CONDITIONAL USE HEARING THAT NIGHT. IF THE ORDINANCE CHALLENGE IS TO BE POSTPONED UNTIL AFTER ALL CONDITIONAL USE HEARINGS ARE FINISHED IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THAT TIME.**

2009 AND BACK IN ACTION!

DONT' FORGET TONIGHT'S CONDITIONAL USE HEARING, JAN 13 AT 7:30 PM - WALLACE TOWNSHIP BUILDING!