WHEREAS, part of the Haynesville Shale and the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale lie within numerous parishes in Louisiana, and
WHEREAS, these parishes contain areas of undeveloped forested areas that support wildlife habitat, are near or encompass national forests, waterways and reservoirs, and overlay several aquifers, and
WHEREAS, wells in the Haynesville Shale and the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale must be fractured to be commercially productive, and
WHEREAS, drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing has a greater potential than conventional gas drilling technologies to foul nearby air, land and water due to the chemicals and additives used and large quantities of wastes produced in the drilling process, and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing uses large amounts of water that are typically taken from groundwater and surface sources and as a result could diminish future use of potable water for residents and other businesses, and threaten critical wildlife habitat, and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing and the development of industrial infrastructure such as pipeline networks and roads will displace wildlife and destroy critical habitat, and
WHEREAS, federal laws and most state regulations do not require the chemical ingredients of hydraulic fracturing fluids to be disclosed to the public, and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing is exempt from many major federal and state environmental laws including the Safe Drinking Water Act.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation hereby urges the state of Louisiana and its agencies that permit and/or monitor hydraulic fracturing to further develop standards that eliminate use of groundwater from freshwater aquifers in the fracturing process; ensure that use of surface water sources does not negatively impact wildlife, including threatened and endangered species and wildlife habitat; maintain casing standards for well drilling that will protect groundwater sources from contamination; increase reporting requirements for materials used, aggregate volumes of fracturing fluids and proppant used, and fracture pressures recorded; continue to encourage recycling of produced water and rainwater, as well as drilling, workover, completion and stimulation fluids, for frac supply purposes; increase monitoring oversight by the Department of Natural Resources in coordination with state agencies that include but are not limited to the Departments of Wildlife and Fisheries and Environmental Quality.
Resolution No. 6B, 2012 – PROTECTING NATURAL RESOURCES & WILDLIFE IN LOUISIANA FROM THE DANGERS OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, Page 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Wildlife Federation also urges the state of Louisiana to develop a comprehensive surface water policy that addresses the predicted increase in permits for natural gas extraction wells using hydraulic fracturing and protects the quality and quantity of surface water in Louisiana.
Adopted by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation in Convention Assembled, March 11, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana.
The Louisiana Wildlife Federation is a statewide conservation education and advocacy organization with more than 10,000 members and 26 affiliate groups. Established in 1940, it is affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation and represents a broad constituency of conservationists including hunters, fishers, campers, birders, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts.