Crestwood Blockaders Sandra Steingraber, Colleen Boland, Jailed

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Nov 20, 2014, 10:03 ET

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y., Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Renowned author, biologist, advocate Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D. and U.S.AF veteran, Colleen Boland (retired) joined Roland Micklem (86) yesterday evening and plead guilty in Reading Town Court, refusing to pay fines. Judge Raymond Barry issued maximum jail sentences of 15 days to each.

Over four hundred members of "We Are Seneca Lake" blockade the gates of Crestwood Midstream and stand up to the expansion of dangerous gas storage in the crumbling salt caverns next to Seneca Lake and under the beautiful wine country of the Finger Lakes. Lead by renown biologist, author, Sandra Steingraber. Pictured; Yvonne Taylor, Gas Free Seneca, Doug Couchon, People for a Healthy Environment, Members of Finger Lakes CleanWaters Initiative, Seneca Lake Pure Waters, ShaleShock, DJ Astro Hawk.

Earlier the same afternoon nine additional arrests were made including winery owners and local business leaders trespassing at Texas-based Crestwood Midstream's gas storage facility gates on the west shore of Seneca Lake. The civil disobedience campaign continues into its fourth week with fifty-two total arrests.

Today's blockade shut down the facility for over seven hours. Over six hundred concerned citizens have signed a pledge to resist the fracked-gas infrastructure build out.

We Are Seneca Lake is a campaign that was born on October 23, the date of our first blockade, after we learned that approval had been granted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expand the storage of methane in crumbling salt caverns that underlie the west bank of Seneca Lake. In granting this approval, the federal government swept aside demonstrable evidence for reckless risks, including methane leakage, salt cavern collapse, and salination of our lake. From Hutchinson, Kansas to Bayou Corne, Louisiana, salt cavern storage of gas has brought death, water contamination, and economic ruin to communities. –Sandra Steingraber

My sister Anna and I are owners of Regional Access, a local, organic, and natural food distributor/food hub. Our father Gary Redmond started this family business, with a mission of promoting more sustainable and equitable local food systems. I know from first-hand experience how important the local food and wine economies are to this area. That's why I am here with my family and friends to stand up against the proposed expansion of gas storage and industrialization of this beautiful area we all call home for our families and businesses. --Asa Redmond, a local business owner and the drummer for the Sim Redmond Band arrested yesterday.

I'm a die-hard environmentalist and I think that if we do not protect our environment, we are all history. A man's got to do what a man's got to do. —Roland Micklem (86)

Steingraber and Boland, Chemung County Jail
211 William St. Elmira, NY 14901
Phone: 607-737-2934

Micklem, Schuyler County Jail
106 10th St. Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Phone: (607) 535-8222

www.WeAreSenecaLake.com

Laura Flanders We Are Seneca Lake

#WeAreSenecaLake

#SaveSenecaLake

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141028/154765

SOURCE We Are Seneca Lake