[Green] Oil and Gas Leasing in Wayne National Forest

[gbanz42 at suddenlink.net]

Green Colleagues:

     Thanks to Mike for providing the information on the plan to lease parts of Wayne National Forest for oil and gas companies.

     I was able to  access the site that Mike forwarded and just sent the e-mail message which is copied below:

     To: 	blm_es_comments at blm.gov 
Subject: 	DOI BLM Eastern States 0030 2016 0002 EA
Size: 	2 KB

BLM Staff: 
 
     Regarding the plan for leasing of sections of the Wayne National Forest for 
mineral extraction, I have the following comments, which relate to hydraulic 
fracturing in this area: 
 
     1. I am not concerned about the fracturing process itself. I believe that 
engineers have worked out sufficiently strong and redundant casings, depths of 
piping, and other factors to prevent leaks into aquifers and possible damage to 
the forest. 
 
      2. What concerns me are the attendant activities associated with hydraulic 
fracturing, specifically: 
         a. Disposal wells and the   injection of waste from fracturing sites 
into disposal wells near and around Wayne National Forest.  These chemicals 
include dangerous substances such as benzene, toluene, and others. The risk of 
leeching of these chemicals into aquifers and forest land is a problem that has 
not yet been resolved, in my opinion. 
 
          b. The transport of brine water, chemicals, sand and other substances 
associated with hydraulic fracturing in and around Wayne National Forest. There 
are risks of spills and accidents of vehicles carrying these substances that 
need to be addressed. A related issue is the need for public disclosure of 
chemicals used (and their proportions) by oil &gas companies. 
 
          c.The lack of restrictions of truck drivers of oil & gas companies.  
These drivers are not subject to the same restrictions of number of hours on the 
road and required rest periods that ICC requires of other truck drivers. This 
presents additional risks in and around the Forest. 
 
          d.The impact of hydraulic fracturing on air quality has not yet been 
determined. This is another issue that  should be resolved before shale gas 
exploration and extraction are pursued, and one that is critical for the  well 
being of Wayne National Forest. 
 
     I believe that hydraulic fracturing in Wayne National Forest in southeast 
Ohio should NOT be done until the risks of these attendant activities  are 
addressed. 
 

    
--
George Banziger
202 Lawton Road
Marietta, OH 45750-1111
740-434-5685
cell: 740-434-3354