Debate, scrutiny inundates ‘fracking’ disclosure on BLM land
Debate, scrutiny inundates ‘fracking’ disclosure on BLM land
By ASHLEY LAUTH
DAKOTA RESOURCE COUNCIL
The hydraulic fracturing debate heated up April 20 when an uncommon group of panelists trackled tricky issues and tough questions at the Bureau of Land Management’s hydraulic fracturing forum.
The forum, one of only three in the nation, convened because BLM director Bob Abbey is considering requiring the disclosure of “fracking” chemicals on federal public land. In addition to disclosure, issues of water consumption, spills and leaks, waste disposal and bonding of wells arose.
One of the panelists was Donny Nelson, Keene, chair of the Dakota Resource Council’s Oil and Gas Task Force, regional representative on the BLM Resource Advisory Council, and featured on Planet Green’s TV series “Boomtown,” Nelson, a rancher in McKenzie County, represented impacted communities, as well as the voice for responsible development and sensible land management.
“This is not about shutting down oil and gas development or putting all public lands and minerals off limits,” Nelson said. “We all rely on affordable oil and gas, and we all support increasing domestic energy production. This is about maknig sure that we prevent contamination of soil and water supplies, and making sure that we use those supplies efficiently and wisely.”
Nelson discussed how frack
