Environmental Impact of Drilling

Gas Drilling and Gathering-Related activities are among the most significant issues facing us as residents of the Fort Worth area now and for the foreseeable future. These exploration and operation-related issues have the potential of profoundly affecting our environment and include: Such basic safety and quality of life concerns as air and water quality; Noise above existing ambient levels; The location of a drill site; The type of facility night lighting; Truck routes and traffic; Times of operation as this relates to noise produced, and many others. Keep in mind that Compressors and Compressor Stations could be continuously operating for many years (over 30 perhaps) after the drilling and fraccing activities are completed. The largest are powered by multi-thousand horsepower engine complexes.

FWLNA is actively engaged in monitoring the current Mayor and City Council appointed “Gas Drilling Task Force,” and looks forward to the proposed new regulations related to the above, including any “minority reports” from this committee. These recommendations/reports will be presented to Fort Worth City Council around November 2008. After: 1. GDTF formally reports; 2. Consensus opinions are effectively gathered from FW Neighborhood Associations via FWLNA Sponsored Seminars, President’s Summit, and other communications; 3. Careful study by FWLNA’s Gas Committee and Board of Directors, The League will make its recommendations with respect to studied reasonable environmental safeguards.

Now, it is recommended that you, individually and with your Neighborhood Association, become well-informed. Attend seminars, City Council meetings and GDTF meetings. And communicate directly with FWLNA via email with your comments.

Below are various links to sites that refer to some of these issues and mitigation efforts current in place and/or suggested by various public authorities and private organizations. There are also listed links which document problems related to losses of environmental integrity as a result of some of these activities.

Barnett Shale Emissions Study SMU - Most Recent Study

Make it Rain Video on producing clean water from gas well

Gwen Lachelt, Director, OGAP

Oil & Gas Development in the U.S.:  Community Issues and Organizing for Reform

Jennifer Goldman, Public Health & Toxics Campaign Director, OGAP

Public Health Issues Associated with Oil and Gas Development

Wilma Subra, Subra Company

Oil and Gas Field Chemicals and Monitoring