What About Fracking in State and National Forest Lands?

Fracking in George Washington National Forest could threaten D.C. area drinking water

From an Article by Robert McCartney, Washington Post, February 1, 2014

The future cleanliness of the Washington region’s drinking water has unexpectedly become a central concern in the national debate over the controversial natural-gas drilling method known as “fracking.”

The gas industry is pushing to allow fracking in the George Washington National Forest, despite fears that it could threaten the cleanliness of the Potomac River. It’s the sole source of drinking water for more than 4 million people in our area. It’s no surprise that environmental groups are pushing hard to ban fracking in the forest, which includes the Potomac’s headwaters in the Appalachian Mountains.

But I’ve been struck by the strong positions taken by more neutral parties, notably major local water utilities. The D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, the Washington Aqueduct and the Fairfax County Water Authority all oppose fracking in the forest — at least until the dangers are better understood.

“If we permitted it and we were wrong, it would be a catastrophic problem for the nation’s capital,” D.C. Water General Manager George Hawkins said. “When you consider the risks to a headwater stream in a pristine national forest . . . this is a case where you would err on the side of caution,” he said.

Numerous cities and counties in western Virginia near the forest also are supporting a ban. A decision by the federal government is expected in the next few months. The sensible thing is to wait two or three years, when we’ll know more about the risks.

The Environmental Protection Agency is doing a major scientific study of whether fracking (the common term for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing) contaminates water supplies. The report should be complete by 2016 or 2017. It will be the most thorough, authoritative examination of the issue.

We don’t need the gas right away. There’s lots of fracking yet to be done in spots in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and elsewhere that don’t sit in the highlands of a heavily populated watershed.

It doesn’t help that the drilling companies won’t disclose all of the chemicals they shoot into the ground. They say that’s a commercial secret.

It also doesn’t help that fracking is exempted from meeting some standards of the Safe Drinking Water Act. That’s known as the “Halliburton loophole,” in honor of the giant oil field services company once headed by Dick Cheney. He was vice president in 2005 when the provision was adopted.

The George Washington forest case is critical mainly because of an accident of timing. The forest is about to adopt a new, 15-year management plan. So the decision could influence what happens in other national forests.

Technically, a U.S. Forest Service regional official in Atlanta will make the choice. The matter is so politically sensitive that either the Agriculture Department, which oversees the Forest Service, or the White House will decide.

As a result, environmentalists have begun an effort to raise grass-roots awareness. A public meeting at the Arlington Central Library drew 50 people recently.

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PA Governor wants to lift ban on new gas drilling in state forests

From an Article by Andrew Maykuth, Philadelphia Inquirer, February 6, 2014

Gov. Corbett is proposing to lift a 2010 moratorium on leasing additional state forests for Marcellus Shale natural-gas development, to generate $75 million for PA state coffers.

The new gas leases of state forests managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources would not permit any drilling or surface disturbance, said Patrick Henderson, the governor’s energy executive. The acreage would be adjacent to public and private lands under existing leases and could be developed using horizonal drilling techniques.

Conservationists expressed skepticism that additional drilling, even if it took place on neighboring lands, could be accomplished without negative consequences for state forests and parks. “From our point of view, there will be impacts,” said Cindy Dunn, the president of PennFuture and a former department executive. Additional drilling will create noise and air pollution, and use water resources for hydraulic-fracturing operations, she said.

Corbett’s action would lift a ban put in place by Gov. Ed Rendell during his last months in office in 2010, when state conservation officials said any additional leasing would jeopardize the state’s certification for sustainable-forestry practices.

John H. Quigley, former department chief and now a private consultant, expressed skepticism that the state could find enough additional leasable acreage to generate $75 million. “It’s going to be in the Pennsylvania Wilds,” said Quigley, referring to the vast stretch of forests in the northern tier.

The state last received about $3,000 an acre for Marcellus gas leases, which would mean the department would have to lease an additional 25,000 acres to hit Corbett’s budget target.

Henderson, Corbett’s energy executive, said the governor would issue “in due time” a new executive order that prohibited leasing of state park and forest lands in situations that would result in a surface impact or disturbance. He said the order would also direct future royalty payments for use of state park and forest infrastructure; acquire high-value inholdings (small privately owned tracts that are surrounded by state lands); and purchase privately owned oil and gas rights underlying high-value surface lands owned by the state.