How is DCNR involved in water withdrawal and treatment issues related to fracing in the Marcellus Shale formation?
Fracing refers to pumping a fluid including water, sand and chemicals, down into the ground under high pressure to create fractures in the shale that allows the gas to flow out of the rock and into the well. Large amounts of water are necessary for this process. Natural gas operators on state forest land must comply with all federal, state and local laws related to water usage. The companies that lease the land need to acquire all of the necessary permits from the Department of Environmental Protection and the appropriate river basin commission or authority before any drilling or other work occurs. Operators also must receive DCNRs written permission before extracting water from state forest land. DCNR has more stringent rules for well-pad placement near streams (200 ft or more) than what is required by law (100 ft.).
