I should be a firefighter. I think I’d be great. When I retire from advocacy, I might pursue my true calling. Keep in mind that my faith in my firefighting abilities is almost entirely baseless. I have no training, no particular skills, nor the will or courage necessary to run into burning buildings to save lives and properties.
But in a sheer metaphorical sense, I’m already a firefighter. Every so often unexpected problems arise that need serious attention. Look no further than the George Washington National Forest, where natural gas companies appear to be on the brink of successfully convincing the Forest Service to overturn its 15-year ban on fracking. Sound the alarm. This is a fire that must be put out immediately!
The Marcellus Shale is a massive natural rock formation that stretches from New York down through the Appalachian Basin and the Shenandoah Valley. Underneath this formation rests an unknown amount of natural gas. In order for the gas to be extracted, companies want to use the controversial drilling technique of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). This technique pumps millions of gallons of water, sand, and toxic chemicals into the ground to break up the rock in order to extract the natural gas below. Nearly half of the George Washington National Forest sits atop the Marcellus Shale.
Two years ago, the National Forest Service banned fracking in the George Washington National Forest. The reasons were obvious: the sight, sound, and smell of massive rigs drilling for gas would be detrimental to the tourism industry. In addition, nearly 250,000 people in the Shenandoah Valley region get their drinking water from sources that originate within the forest.
The links between fracking and water and soil contamination is well documented. The health of a quarter of a million Virginians could soon be at risk. Thus, a fracking moratorium should be a no brainer right? Well, maybe not. I’ve recently been told that the Forest Service will announce a new policy by the end of next month. It is highly possible, if not probable, that the Forest Service will REVERSE their previous ruling and LIFT THE BAN on fracking in the George Washington National Forest.
We’re working to fight against this ruling. If the Forest Service rules against us, we will certainly seek to appeal that decision and ask the Forest Service to re-instate the ban. We’re monitoring this situation very closely. Stay tuned and contact us if you have any questions or would like to get more involved. In the meantime, sound the alarm and spread the word.
