Homestead mailing list

["Lynda" <lurine AT softcom.net>]

> Jim and Kerry Lemon say they enjoy living "close to the source."  The home 
> they fashioned and built themselves is nestled in a secluded wooded area 
> off a red-dirt road in north Nacogdoches County.
>
> Their two children, Forest and Maya, participated in the design and 
> construction of their own "houses" as part of a home school project. The 
> children's cabins are rustic, wooden structures with large windows 
> overlooking the trees and natural landscape.  Wood stoves keep the family 
> warm in the winter.  In the summer they rely on natural ventilation to 
> help them stay cool. During the hottest months they vacation in cooler 
> climates or near water.
>
> The Lemons have created a unique alternative living environment without 
> electricity or traditional water services.  An organic vegetable garden 
> provides the family with food.  Rain run-off collected from the roof is 
> pumped up into a 20 ft. water tower with gravity flow bringing it into the 
> house for their personal use.  Lighting and refrigeration are fueled by 
> propane and kerosene.
>
> For the Lemons, these natural surroundings have provided an idyllic 
> setting for their chosen lifestyle.
>
> All of that has changed with increased Exxon activity in the area. "When I 
> moved out here 30 years ago, the land mineral rights were leased by Exxon 
> and there was an existing natural gas well at the entrance to my 
> property."  Lemon said.  "There was a large cylinder with fire going 
> through it.  I was told that the gas field was almost depleted at that 
> time. "About ten years ago that old well was replaced with the current set 
> up which includes a storage tank filled with what Exxon calls "soap". 
> When that tank began leaking Lemon called the oil company in an effort to 
> find out what, exactly, was seeping into the soil.  Among the things 
> listed by the oil company in response to Lemon's query was the solvent 
> ethanol as well as "other secret ingredients".
>
> The other part of the new operation was a transfer station located at the 
> entrance to their property which includes two large tanks bearing 
> hazardous material placards that say "Caution Benzene, Carcinogenic 
> Hazards".
>
> Lemon was diagnosed with leukemia in May 2004.  Exposure to benzene has 
> been linked to blood diseases such as leukemia.
>
> The Lemons say their lives have been disrupted by the oil activity and 
> exploration near their home.
>
> "Over the years we have endured pipe lines crossing our property, seismic 
> testing, a huge compressor which operated for 24 hours a day for months, a 
> tank of flammable liquid which leaked onto the ground, the drilling of 
> numerous wells within a half-mile radius, road destruction, and personal 
> danger from large truck traffic. I have received minimal compensation for 
> damages to my land and trees, not to mention the general disruption."
>
> Last summer while drilling two new well, the oil company used "acid 
> fracs". This is a process where acid is used to fracture rocks beneath the 
> earth in order to release the gas within. "My children woke up in the 
> middle of the night with burning eyes and nausea."!   Lemon said.  "They 
> were scared so we left and went to stay at a friend's house at 1 am."
>
> Lemon called Exxon employees that night but couldn't reach anyone who knew 
> about the specific operations at these well.  It wasn't until the next day 
> that he learned the cause of their discomfort was likely caused by the 
> acidic gas in the air. "It trickled down to our house and just hung in the 
> air."  He said.  "We don't have air conditioning so our house is open to 
> air flow not closed up like most other houses." Exxon offered to pay for a 
> hotel room for the family while "frac-ing".
>
> According to Jim's wife, Kerry it has been hard to get clear information 
> from the contractors working on-site.  "It took a long time just to find 
> out who we were supposed to call about our concerns," she said.  "Finally 
> we learned that Exxon is self-regulated in rural areas.  The Railroad 
> Commission will handle formal complaints but does not monitor the area 
> otherwise."
>
> The Lemons did make complaints to both the Railroad Commission and Exxon 
> at that time and the left over leaking tank that had been replaced by a 
> new tank but never removed was finally taken off-site.  "We asked to be 
> informed of activity from Exxon that could have an impact on our lives," 
> says Kerry. Even so she feels the company hasn't done a very good job 
> explaining their procedures, being more reactive than proactive. "If they 
> would just tell us what's going to happen before it happens, it would 
> help," she says.
>
> This past June the Lemon family found out that yet another well was to be 
> drilled about 100 yards from their home. "We didn't even know they were 
> going to drill next door to us until a timber man came by and said he was 
> hoping to get the trees," Kerry said. "Once we knew that the well was 
> going in, we knew we could expect a lot of noise and activity."
>
> What was once a peaceful country road is now a heavily traveled thoro! 
> ughfare for big trucks and equipment, the Lemons said. "It's pretty 
> obvious they're not going away," Kerry said.  "They have become more and 
> more intrusive in our lives."
>
> Not wanting to expose their children or themselves (especially with Jim's 
> current health condition) to any possible chemical hazards and wanting to 
> avoid the noise, lights truck traffic, strange odors and other potential 
> hazards of the nearby well, the Lemons asked an Exxon representative to 
> reimburse them for the expenses incurred to be away from their home during 
> this most recent drilling.