Number: 2010-07
WHEREAS, drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing has a greater potential than conventional gas drilling technologies to poison our air, land and water due to the chemicals and additives used and large quantities of wastes produced in the drilling process; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing technology has allowed energy companies to access and exploit gas resources in areas across the country that are largely undeveloped forest, range and other critical wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing uses large amounts of water from surface or groundwater sources and as a result threatens critical wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, there is currently inadequate wastewater treatment capacity to effectively and safely treat the type and volume of wastes produced by hydraulic fracturing; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing and the development of industrial infrastructure such as pipeline networks and roads will displace wildlife and destroy critical habitat; and
WHEREAS, federal laws and most state regulations do not require the chemical ingredients of hydraulic fracturing fluids to be disclosed to the public; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing is exempt from many major federal and state environmental laws including the Safe Drinking Water Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled April 8-10, 2010, in Houston, Texas, hereby urges Congress and state legislatures to adopt legislation, and state and federal regulatory agencies to take immediate administrative actions, to protect natural resources, wildlife, and drinking water from all dangers of industrial hydraulic fracturing.