Conservationists sue to halt fracking in Ohio's only national forest

[Rhiannon12866]

(Reuters) - Four conservation groups on Tuesday sued the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in an attempt to halt fracking plans in a portion of Ohio's only national forest.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Columbus, argues that the federal agencies failed to sufficiently analyze risks to watersheds, public health, climate and endangered species including Indiana bats, before auctioning 670 acres (270 hectares) in December of the Wayne National Forest in southeast Ohio for eventual hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of underground shale.

The groups are seeking an injunction to halt oil and gas leasing and development until a new assessment can be made. Fracking involves injecting water, sand and chemicals into wells to fracture shale and release natural gas and oil.

U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Babete Anderson declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Bureau of Land Management officials could not be reached immediately for comment.


More: http://whtc.com/news/articles/2017/may/02/conservationists-sue-to-halt-fracking-in-ohios-only-national-forest/

[2naSalit]

1. Well, that's what you have to do sometimes...

to make the agencies do the right thing. Been there, done that, and in most cases, the plaintiffs are correct according to law. And many of the laws state within them that the only avenue of remedy is in the federal court system. The Endangered Species Act has such a statement at the beginning. The only way for anyone to get legal, remedial attention is by suing, anyone who complains about the lawsuits simply hasn't educated themselves about the law.

I am glad to see a case being brought. I am starting to get the feeling that these frackers want to leave no part of Ohio unfracked.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. And at least it's environmental groups who are bringing suit

What chance do the individuals who would be affected have?? And I certainly agree, it appears that Trump wants to reverse everything that was put in place to protect people - and our most vulnerable protected lands and wildlife.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. I hope they win...

A precedent needs to be set, and fracking needs to be stopped.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. I agree completely!

We thought the Bush* administration was bad on climate change, but this current den of deniers wants to destroy what's left of the most vulnerable places on earth...

[2naSalit]

5. Yup, me too....nt

[SolarAdvocate]

6. As an Ohioan......

.....this kind of news makes me incredibly happy.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. Me, too!

We need to do everything we can to protect our most vulnerable lands and wildlife populations before it's too late. Welcome to DU, SolarAdvocate! It's great to have you with us!