My view

Ban fracking wastewater in the watershed

By ROSIE STARR
Posted 2/16/22

The last two years brought daunting challenges to us as we lived through a viral pandemic. Social distancing, frequent hand washes, face masks, and vaccines were tools to help us keep healthy.

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My view

Ban fracking wastewater in the watershed

Posted

The last two years brought daunting challenges to us as we lived through a viral pandemic. Social distancing, frequent hand washes, face masks, and vaccines were tools to help us keep healthy.

On occasion, the daily pace would slow down enough for introspection and to prioritize what matters most in life. I choose a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise. Local farmers grow the food I prepare for meals served at home. Clean water, air and soil free from toxins are good ingredients for a healthy life.

At present, I find myself concerned about the possibility that the DRBC [Delaware River Basin Commission] will pass regulations that allow toxic frack waste imports into our Delaware River basin.

In the past few months, I have Zoomed in to listen as environmental organizations presented science-based facts and personal testimonials about the dangers of imported wastewater from fracked gas wells, and the potential damage that could be caused by the export of water.

With the deadline of February 28 fast approaching, I did post my comments to the DRBC on DRBC’s draft amendments to its Comprehensive Plan and Water Code concerning importations of water into and exportations of water from the Delaware River Basin.

You can submit comments too at this link: https://dockets.drbc.commentinput.com/?id=x2K8A

Many studies have examined the effects of fracking-related spills and leaks on water resources. The longevity of the contaminants in sediments, soil, and streams have adverse health effects on humans, animals and aquatic life.

The big picture is potentially a systemic destruction of our ecosystem’s biodiversity, like plant and animal species in our watershed. This includes our drinking water, tidal wetlands, and estuarine waters. The four states that would be affected by this potentially catastrophic disaster are Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.

Fracking waste is radioactive. There are no clean, safe disposal alternatives and the polluters do not take responsibility for damages to the environment.

My concerns include dispersing a toxic brew (“brine”), which is oil and gas wastewater composed of volatile organic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, diesel range organics, frack fluid, production chemicals, stimulation chemicals, biocides and well-maintenance chemicals, on dirt roads where I frequently walk. This “brining” is common in western Pennsylvania, and we do not want it to happen here.

The purpose of the DRBC is to protect the resources in the river basin.

I urge the following members of the DRBC to completely ban the import, processing, discharge, reuse and/or disposal of wastewater produced by fracking.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy

Delaware Gov. John Carney

Army Corps of Engineers Chief of Engineers Scott Spellmon

A full ban on fracking wastewater in the watershed is needed.

Rosie Starr lives in Beach Lake, PA.

pandemic, fracking, Delaware River Basin Commission, Delaware River basin, wastewater, pollution

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