The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (RLRMP) for the George Washington National Forest (GWNF) in Virginia and West Virginia. The plan, which is mandated to be periodically updated, generally every 10-15 years, by the National Forest Management Act of 1976 provides the basis for land management decisions, including leasing and permitting of oil and gas exploration and production within the GWNF. Development of the RLRMP is subject to NEPA, so the draft plan is accompanied by a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). The plan proposes to allow oil and gas drilling within the GWNF, but will prohibit horizontal drilling and use of fracking fluids in drilling, at least until the U.S.F.S. is satisfied that there would be no adverse impacts of water quality in the area. This proposed moratorium has not been adequately supported by scientific data and is at odds with the Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario for Oil and Gas for the GWNF which was prepared by the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management for GWNF in October, 2010. The proposed plan revisions would have the effect of severely limiting, or restricting entirely, commercial development of the Marcellus Shale formation within the GWNF.
In addition to the fracking and horizontal drilling issues, the DEIS raises issues regarding potential for unacceptable stream and aquifer depletions attributable to fracking which would have an adverse impact on certain species, wetlands and habitat. These concerns could be the basis for additional lease terms limiting the amount of water that could be used for oil and gas development.
The affected counties in West Virginia include Hardy, Hampshire and Pendleton, all of which have lands within the GWNF. Comments on the proposed RLRMP are due not later than Monday, October 17, 2011.