Corps of Engineers Weighs in on Shale Drilling

The Corps of Engineers (COE) has opened a comment period regarding changes to Nationwide Permits in the Fayetteville Shale Area. This change would be a regional provision that requires a written pre-construction notice (PCN) so the COE can “review the project to determine if it will result in more than minimal effects to the watershed.”

 The comment deadline is September 6^th. Comments on the regional condition are to be

sent to the Little Rock District Corps of Engineers, Attn: Mrs. Sarah Chitwood or Mr. Michael

Hatcher, 700 West Capitol, Little Rock, AR 72201-3221. Comments may also be sent by email

to sarah.l.chitwood@usace.army.mil

 or michael.d.hatcher@usace.army.mil

or you may call by phone at 501-324-5295.

 You can find the Initial Public Notice, with more detailed information here: http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/regulatory/RC5.pdf

 Here is an example of an email you could send, with some comments we think are important. Thank you as always for impacting public policy that protects our streams and water.

 Example email:

sarah.l.chitwood@usace.army.mil

 

September 1, 2009
Re: Nationwide Permit Regional Condition No. 5 Modification

 Dear Ms. Chitwood,

 I support your proposal to require pre-construction notice for Nationwide Permits 6,12,14 and 18 to allow review and protection of water quality in the Fayetteville Play gas mining areas.

 I also urge you to go further and require gas companies comply with US Fish and Wildlife Best Management Practices that were drafted by the Conway office.

 I am especially concerned about stream crossings and the number of bodies of water you are allowing to be dammed for fracing water. I am concerned this will reduce the flow rates of our streams and affect wells in the area.  

 In a larger context, I do not understand why gas drilling was exempted from coverage under the Clean Water Act and ask your agency to support the removal of this exemption that prohibits the EPA from exercising authority over water quality violations.

 Thank you,

 Your name
Address