07/08/24 - 115 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/ype6tnrj
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Tioga County Commissioners Oppose Groundwater Withdrawals For Marcellus Shale Drilling
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Saying groundwater withdrawals for drilling Marcellus Shale gas wells "have the potential to impact our water resources negatively," all three Tioga County Commissioners wrote to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission in January opposing any new use of groundwater to support drilling. Commissioners Sue Vogler, Mark Hamilton and Erick Coolidge said they "would do everything in their power to protect our water resources and in particular groundwater. We rely on this resource for our continued well being."
Noting environmental groups, municipal officials and the public have expressed their concerns about future groundwater withdrawals and the Marcellus Shale industry has told them they do not need potable water for hydro-fracking, the Commissioners said there are abundant surface water resources available to support drilling.
In addition, the letter said many municipalities have entered into agreements to use the excess capacity of public water systems to support the industry.
"There is sufficient surface water and excess municipal capacity to meet the needs to complete the wells drilled to tap the Marcellus, especially in light of the move to recycle and reuse the return fluids for fracking other wells."
The Commissioners provided more specific comments opposing two applications for groundwater withdrawal on Tioga State Forest land in Ward Township and in Blossburg Borough.
The letter concluded, "We would expect the SRBC to take these comments into account during the review process and will continue to support the excellent work you are doing to protect the water resources of the basin."
A copy of the letter is available online.
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3/7/2011 |
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