The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It’s also listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “dirty waters list”. This six- state watershed is crucial to economic development in the region. Blue crabs are found in the Chesapeake Bay and fuel the fishing market. However, natural gas drilling in the region is adding to water pollution and endangering drinking supplies.
Environmentalist groups, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, are concerned that hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” is an underlying cause of contamination in the groundwater. Fracking is a process for natural gas drilling. The process includes injecting chemicals and other fluids into rocks that are far beneath the water surface. Fracking has contaminated drinking water in other parts of the United States and the EPA is researching if fracking in the Chesapeake will contaminate ground water further.
Fracking for natural gas is appealing because of high needs for gas in the North East. However, there is empirical evidence that indicates the dangers of fracking to human health and water safety. Fracking contaminates drinking water and also threatens animal and human life.
The Marcellus Formation is an underground natural gas reserve that extends from New York to Pennsylvania and into West Virginia. In April of 2010, the Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. was prohibited from fracking in the state of Pennsylvania until wells were plugged accordingly to keep runoff from contaminating local water supplies. It was believed that fracking by Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. led to the contamination of drinking water in 14 homes in Dimock Township, PA.
The population of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay is low and fracturing may be part of the reason for the decrease in the numbers of blue crabs. Recently, reports about the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay indicate that there has been an increase in blue crabs. But, that could be partially due to agreements made by fishermen in Virginia and Maryland to decrease the amount of female blue crabs caught. The slow recovery of the blue crab industry may suffer negative consequences if fracking continues in the Chesapeake.
In the water world, issues of pollution, economics, and energy development collide as these industries compete for water resources in local areas. Holding government agencies accountable to implementing effective water testing and monitoring policies is essential the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay and other bodies of water.
The slow recovery of the Chesapeake Bay will continue as organizations like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation gain ground for restorative and protective policies.
WWW would like your thoughts:
W ill these policies favor energy development initiatives, which could boost local economies and introduce a new energy market in the Northeast?
Will policies favor the public health of American citizens and the conservation of wetland areas?
Will environmentalists concerns about contaminated ground water overshadow drilling for natural gas?
Or will endeavors to explore alternative energy solutions take precedence over clean water for human consumption?
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