Save The Poudre Requests Analysis Of NISP Water Used For Oil And Gas Drilling And Fracking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2011
Contact: Gary Wockner, Save the Poudre: Poudre Waterkeeper, 970-218-8310http://SaveThePoudre.org

Save The Poudre Requests Analysis Of NISP Water Used For Oil And Gas Drilling And Fracking

Fort Collins, CO -- Today Save the Poudre sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting that the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP) contain an analysis of how NISP water would be used for oil and gas drilling and fracking. Records requested by Save the Poudre have revealed that some NISP communities are already selling water for drilling and fracking. Due to the extensive oil and gas boom in Weld County, it is very likely that NISP water would be used for drilling and fracking if NISP were ever built.

The letter is here:

 "Some NISP towns are selling water for drilling and fracking," said Gary Wockner of Save the Poudre. "The Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for NISP must analyze the potential use of NISP water for drilling and fracking including the extent of that use, the impacts to water rights and stream flows, and the impacts to the environment."

Records reveal that millions of gallons of water have been sold for drilling and fracking by NISP towns. Nine of the fifteen NISP participants are in Weld County where nearly 18,000 active oil and gas wells are producing. Industry experts predict that up to 10,000 more wells will be drilled in the Weld County over the next decade.

NISP is now at least 6 years late and at least $150 million over budget. In early 2011, the SDEIS was delayed for the third time with the Army Corps of Engineers saying the SDEIS will be released sometime in 2012.


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