Seems that Mike Knapp (who seems to be nothing more than a Landman willing to say, do anything to get a landowners signature on a a lease at all costs) is raising a Holy War, A Jihad against Josh Fox whose movie "Gasland" has taken the nation by storm, and is helping to WAKE UP average citizens to the harm and peril that (un)Natural Gas represents.
Seems that Josh's father was cited for burning of a trailer on his property in Pennsylvania...there is a citation for this. Josh Fox does not own the property, which means any issues surrounding this are not his. More importantly though, Mr. Mike Knapp wants to ignore some important material facts surrounding this issue, primary among them:
A) Josh nor his father knew the trailer HAD BEEN TORCHED.B) When the Fox family learned of this arson, they IMMEDIATELY contacted the State Police, and there is currently an investigation going on.C) The Pa State Police have clearly stated that the Fox family (father and son) are not responsible, have pretty well said the fire was DELIBERATELY SET (arson).A December fire that destroyed a Fox family mobile home cited for junk violations was set by someone other than Fox or his family, according to Pennsylvania State Police.The fire, across the Delaware River in Wayne County, Pa., was discovered by Fox last week. He had just returned to the Milanville property from a promotional tour for his film, which has riled pro-drillers, who blast it for what they say are inaccuracies."There's nothing to suggest either he or his family had anything to do with it," said Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshall Russ Andress, who said the trailer burned while Fox was on the road. The fire is still under investigation, he said.
Mike Knapp President of Knapp Acquisitions & Production LLC Kittanning, PA apparently does not want to let FACTS get in the way of a good smear campaign as he employs the normal scorched earth attacks that the Energy Industry has used for years when grassroots activists are having success in bringing attention to indsutry practices that are unsafe, that threaten our environment and our health. This (un)Natural Gas Landman from the get go lets everyone know just how unsavory and despicable he truly is...notice that his Knapp Acquisitions company which bears his name is a LLC (Limited Liability Company, which means he has set himself up personally to be free of legal responsibility should ANYTHING GO WRONG...IE, say false promises, or verbal promises made to fraudulently get someone to sign a lease that end up in some kind of litigation...you can sue HIS COMPANY, but not him, and trust me, be willing to bet here that Mike Knapp drains the profits out of this enterprise almost as fast as they come in. Which brings us to the company he keeps...if you do a cursory internet search, you will find out that HIS CLIENTS have been cited for some very SERIOUS VIOLATIONS, his clients are CHARGED with violations that have done some SERIOUS HARM to the environment already.
Violations listed for the drilling companies Mike Knapp PROUDLY represents, MDS Energy and First Class Energy :
For 2010 -MDS ENERGY had 6 violations and 3 Fines
4/6/2010- MDS ENERGY LTD in Armstrong County- VIOLATION #584594
Code 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment
4/07/2010 Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty Fine: $ 26,000.00
5/14/2010- MDS ENERGY in Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587171
VIOLATION Code 102.4 Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
Culverts not properly stabilized which resulted in sediment entering culverts and eventually entering nearby stream.
Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty FINED $5,000.00 Aug.31, 2010...this one fine is FIVE TIMES the amount the Fox family could be ordered to pay IF THEY WERE FOUND GUILTY OF ANYTHING, which they HAVE NOT BEEN.
5/14/2010 -MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587172
VIOLATION CODE 102.4 INADPLN Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec
5/14/2010 -MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587173
VIOLATION CODE- 401CSL Discharge of Pollution Material into waters of the Commonwealth. (As in FRACKING CHEMICAL COCKTAIL)
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
5/14/2010 -MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587174
401CSL Stream discharge of IW, includes drill cuttings, oil, brine and/or silt.
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
5/14/2010 MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587175
VIOLATION CODE 691.401WPD Failure to prevent sediment or other pollutant discharge into waters of the Commonwealth.
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
Steady flow of sediment laden water exiting the culvert and entering directly into the stream.
05/24/2010 MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587943 VIOLATION CODE - 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment; freeboard limit exceeded in pit. Water level closer than 2' from top of pit.
5/24/2010 Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty Fine: $ 26,000.00
8/20/2010 MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #598511
VIOLATION CODE 78.60B Tophole water discharged improperly.
Discharge to stream Channel. Violation of 78.60(b)(5)
For 2009 MDS ENERGY VIOLATIONS:
6/3/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #564197
VIOLATION CODE-102.4 Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
6/3/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #564198
VIOLATION CODE 102.4INADPLN E&S Plan not adequate
6/3/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #564199
VIOLATION CODE 78.83GRNDWTR Improper casing to protect fresh groundwater
E&S and casing violations
12/30/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #579096
VIOLATION CODE 205A Drilling w/in 200 ft of building or water well w/o variance
12/30/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #579097
VIOLATION CODE 207B Failure to case and cement to prevent migrations into fresh groundwater
12/30/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #579098
VIOLATION CODE 210UNPLUG Failure to plug a well upon abandonment
No bldg. waiver, abandoned & Incorrect casg. & cement
VIOLATIONS for MDS ENERGY in 2008:
1/22/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #531304
VIOLATION CODE: 201F Failure to notify DEP, landowner, political subdivision, or coal owner 24 hrs prior to commencement of drilling
2/01/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #534649
VIOLATION CODE: 201F Failure to notify DEP, landowner, political subdivision, or coal owner 24 hrs prior to commencement of drilling
4/29/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #537870
VIOLATION CODE: 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548244
VIOLATION CODE: 205B Drilling w/in 100 ft of surface water or wetland w/o variance
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548245
VIOLATION CODE: 102.4 Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548246
VIOLATION CODE: 102.4INADPLN E&S Plan not adequate
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548247
VIOLATION CODE: 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
You can also read the following about Knapp's deal making with respect to landowners and leases:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_697353.html
For 2010 -MDS ENERGY had 6 violations and 3 Fines
4/6/2010- MDS ENERGY LTD in Armstrong County- VIOLATION #584594
Code 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment
4/07/2010 Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty Fine: $ 26,000.00
5/14/2010- MDS ENERGY in Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587171
VIOLATION Code 102.4 Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
Culverts not properly stabilized which resulted in sediment entering culverts and eventually entering nearby stream.
Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty FINED $5,000.00 Aug.31, 2010...this one fine is FIVE TIMES the amount the Fox family could be ordered to pay IF THEY WERE FOUND GUILTY OF ANYTHING, which they HAVE NOT BEEN.
5/14/2010 -MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587172
VIOLATION CODE 102.4 INADPLN Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec
5/14/2010 -MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587173
VIOLATION CODE- 401CSL Discharge of Pollution Material into waters of the Commonwealth. (As in FRACKING CHEMICAL COCKTAIL)
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
5/14/2010 -MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587174
401CSL Stream discharge of IW, includes drill cuttings, oil, brine and/or silt.
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
5/14/2010 MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587175
VIOLATION CODE 691.401WPD Failure to prevent sediment or other pollutant discharge into waters of the Commonwealth.
Violations noted:
1- Failure to minimize accelerated erosion and sedimentation.
2- Inadequate E&S plan.
3- Discharge of Industrial Waste to the Waters of the Commonwealth.
Steady flow of sediment laden water exiting the culvert and entering directly into the stream.
05/24/2010 MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #587943 VIOLATION CODE - 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment; freeboard limit exceeded in pit. Water level closer than 2' from top of pit.
5/24/2010 Consent Assessment of Civil Penalty Fine: $ 26,000.00
8/20/2010 MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #598511
VIOLATION CODE 78.60B Tophole water discharged improperly.
Discharge to stream Channel. Violation of 78.60(b)(5)
For 2009 MDS ENERGY VIOLATIONS:
6/3/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #564197
VIOLATION CODE-102.4 Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
6/3/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #564198
VIOLATION CODE 102.4INADPLN E&S Plan not adequate
6/3/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #564199
VIOLATION CODE 78.83GRNDWTR Improper casing to protect fresh groundwater
E&S and casing violations
12/30/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #579096
VIOLATION CODE 205A Drilling w/in 200 ft of building or water well w/o variance
12/30/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #579097
VIOLATION CODE 207B Failure to case and cement to prevent migrations into fresh groundwater
12/30/09- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #579098
VIOLATION CODE 210UNPLUG Failure to plug a well upon abandonment
No bldg. waiver, abandoned & Incorrect casg. & cement
VIOLATIONS for MDS ENERGY in 2008:
1/22/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #531304
VIOLATION CODE: 201F Failure to notify DEP, landowner, political subdivision, or coal owner 24 hrs prior to commencement of drilling
2/01/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #534649
VIOLATION CODE: 201F Failure to notify DEP, landowner, political subdivision, or coal owner 24 hrs prior to commencement of drilling
4/29/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Armstrong County VIOLATION ID #537870
VIOLATION CODE: 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548244
VIOLATION CODE: 205B Drilling w/in 100 ft of surface water or wetland w/o variance
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548245
VIOLATION CODE: 102.4 Failure to minimize accelerated erosion, implement E&S plan, maintain E&S controls. Failure to stabilize site until total site restoration under OGA Sec 206(c)(d)
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548246
VIOLATION CODE: 102.4INADPLN E&S Plan not adequate
9/11/08- MDS ENERGY LTD Clarion County VIOLATION ID #548247
VIOLATION CODE: 78.56FRBRD Failure to maintain 2' freeboard in an impoundment
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
You can also read the following about Knapp's deal making with respect to landowners and leases:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_697353.html
Now we know the kind of people that Mike Knapp associates with, know that he is at best a hypocritical man who should spend some time worrying about the dung heap stinking up his own back yard, and less time attacking a man and a movie that SPEAKS TRUTH TO THE INDUSTRY that wants to rape our lands, poison our waters, and bring cancers to our doorsteps.
PS...you can judge a SCUM by their action. Want to know just how LOW people in the (un)Natural Gas industry can go...visit the website of Mr. Knapp and on the front page you find this:
March 16th, 2011,
Open Letter to Josh Fox, Pennsylvanian to Pennsylvanian
Anti-Drilling Propagandist Josh Fox, director of “Gasland” continues to defame our industry with alse accusations and distorted facts in an attempt to scuttle the responsible development of our natural gas resources here in Pennsylvania. Click HERE to read for yourself.
