Editor: Ensuring that our environment and wildlife are protected alongside responsible, tightly regulated shale development is a core commitment of our industry. Unfortunately, several key facts were not conveyed in an article (“Trout facing threat from gas, group says,” Nov. 20) regarding this important issue.
First, a host of strong state regulations are in place to mitigate and manage erosion and sedimentation associated with shale development. In fact, shale producers are required to submit detailed erosion and sedimentation plans to the state DEP, which include construction-related activity as well as restoration efforts. County conservation districts also review these plans.
In addition, Pennsylvania’s recently enacted shale modernization law, Act 13, dramatically expands setback requirements, further protecting our waterways and sources as well as wildlife. The bipartisan law also bolsters pad site containment requirements, aimed at ensuring that all fluids remain on site and do not directly contact the ground.
Yet our industry is taking these efforts to protect our wildlife and our environment further. We have published several recommended practices, or guidance documents, for operators to heighten erosion- and sedimentation-control efforts. We also have conducted seminars, in partnership with the state DEP, focused on erosion and sedimentation controls, permitting and best practices.
We live – and hunt and fish – here too, and understand that we can, and must, protect our environment and wildlife while safely producing clean-burning American natural gas.
Dave Spigelmyer
President, Marcellus Shale Coalition
Pittsburgh, Pa.
NOTE: Click HERE to view this letter online.
