Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) staff members were featured May 5 on WYPR “The Environment In Focus,” talking with Tom Pelton about the threat fracking poses to the Rappahannock River region.
Listen to the Podcast, “A River Swims With Life After a Dam Removal, But Now Faces New Threat” (4:24 )
Oil and gas companies have signed leases to drill and frack on 84,000 acres of land, including land surrounding the Rappahannock River Natural Wildlife Refuge in Westmoreland County.
Fly fisherman and Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) conservationist Woodie Walker highlighted the increase in several species of fish on the Rappahannock River since the 2014 removal of the Embrey Dam, but said fracking introduces a whole new threat.
FOR Executive Director Kathleen Harrigan said the group is concerned about runoff pollution from well pads and possible spills of fracking chemicals and wastewater. “Fracking is an intensive, industrial operation,” said Harrigan. “So it means disturbing a lot of rural communities – including their infrastructure and their water supply and the water that the area drains to — with that industrial activity. That means everything from truck transportation, to additional traffic, and all that brings with it.”
The Rappahannock Group Sierra Club is also against fracking. Vice-Chair Bill Johnson, Chair Linda Muller and Virginia Chapter Executive Director Glen Besa were on WFVA 1230 AM “Town Talk,” discussing the problems with the process.
Listen to the “Town Talk” Podcast
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