When a convoy of large white trucks inched their way through town this week causing violent vibrations along the way, it caught everyone by surprise, even the local and state officials who knew the seismic testing was to be done.
It appears more research should have been done into what impact the testing could have on local roads and buildings. Slight damage occured in at least one local residence near Ohio 60 where the trucks were conducting their tests. And the seismic waves may be the cause behind a sewer pipe breaking in the new Marietta Municipal Court. The broken line caused sewage and water to leak into a storage area, damaging some records. City engineers say they are also concerned culverts along the way may have been damaged.
Who knows what damage is yet to be discovered and why didn't anyone know what was coming?
According to officials, ODOT District 10 offices in Marietta approved the initial permit allowing the trucks to conduct their testing along the state route, and city officials and law enforcement were notified. The day of the testing, some workers were seen going door to door, but little if any advance notice was given to residents.
Is this really the best way to do business? And what's the purpose of conducting the tests through town, anyway?
The company behind the testing, Nicholson Land Services of Texas, says conducting the test through city limits is necessary in order to get the best mapping of the local area. He said there is more than one company interested in oil and gas exploration but did not reveal their identities.
It's not the exploration we object to, but we do think there should have been more inquiry into what the tests involved and what impact they would have. More advance notice to more area residents and businesses would have been nice, too.
We hope this is a lesson learned for everyone involved.
