Hilary Walczak stands in her Cranberry Township backyard, visibly upset over PennEnergy’s proposed fracking site just beyond her property line — a development she fears will disrupt the peace and safety of her family’s home. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle.

Some Cranberry Township homeowners are expressing concerns after receiving a letter indicating their property falls within a potential area of oil and gas development between Butler and Beaver counties.

The letter, sent from Moody and Associates on behalf of PennEnergy Resources, requests information about any known oil or gas wells — active, inactive, abandoned or orphaned — on or near private properties. It states the survey is part of a requirement under Pennsylvania’s environmental code to prepare for possible future development.

Hilary Walczak, who lives in Highland Village, said she was shocked to find the letter in her mailbox, especially considering the township’s sizable population.

“Within the last few days, over half our neighborhood has received this certified letter, including people on our inside loop, which makes it feel even closer to home,” she said late last week.

She noted residents living in other nearby neighborhoods and complexes also had received the letter.

The letter asks individual landowners to speak only for their properties, but some residents are wary about what it could mean for the value of their homes moving forward.

While the letter claims the survey is only to gather information, it also mentions “potential future development,” wording that raised red flags for Walczak and others who worry about how drilling might affect home values, water quality or general quality of life in their neighborhoods.

“It’s a huge environmental impact to an area that is heavy populated,” she said.

The letter also asks recipients to respond within 10 days and return a completed questionnaire via mail, fax or email.

Cranberry Township officials said they are aware of the situation, but have not yet received the notice as of Thursday evening, July 31.

“We have heard from the residents, too, that they’re getting their letters, so I expect something,” said township manager Dan Santoro.

Santoro also said he believes the area PennEnergy Resources is pinpointing has “an existing well pad there,” but emphasized he won’t know for sure until the township receives official documents.

“I won’t know until I see the paperwork,” Santoro said, “but I believe it’s on an existing well pad. So it’s not a new well pad.”

Walczak, who is part of the Highland Village Homeowner’s Association, noted the association is planning to have an emergency meeting to discuss a plan of action.

Prior to that meeting, she said multiple residents have already reached out to the township, PennEnergy and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

As of now, it’s unclear when PennEnergy could receive the environmental permits they are seeking.

Walczak said, to her understanding, there will be a window of time in which residents will be able to submit formal questions and complaints, but was not given definitive dates from the state.

Nestled behind Hilary Walczak’s home in Cranberry Township is a wooded lot filled with mature trees, chirping birds and winding deer trails — a natural buffer that gives her neighborhood a sense of peace and seclusion. Walczak and her neighbors are voicing strong concerns about the potential environmental impact, including air and water pollution, noise, increased truck traffic and the long-term disruption to local wildlife PennEnergy development in the area could cause. Many in the community fear drilling could forever change the character of the neighborhood they call home. Harold Aughton/Special to the Eagle.