On March 10 the following letter was sent to Governor Rick Snyder, US Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, US Representative Dan Benishek, 110 state representatives, 37 state senators, Harold Fitch (the top state regulator of oil and gas wells), and President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Dear Governor Snyder,
We the undersigned, citizens of Michigan need and are asking for your help. Our concerns are about the newly developed method of drilling for deeply trapped natural gas called Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing, or “fracking”.
We are aware of Michigan’s long history of natural gas production and also of the recent discovery of potential for gas reserves in the Collingwood & Utica Shale. To get this deeply-trapped gas, companies are using the controversial slick-water or horizontal fracking form of drilling. That requires not only very deep drilling but also requires the use of massive amounts of fresh water, sand and a mixture of chemicals, which by law the drilling companies do not have to disclose to local residents or governments. 40 – 70% of this contaminated water and chemical mixture returns to the surface level where it must be stored in injection wells or disposed of in another way. The rest of the polluted water and toxins remain in the earth. The extent of the irreparable harm it will cause to Michigan’s water is a frightening unknown. In other states fracking has resulted in horrific surface, ground and drinking water contamination. It has devastated forests and increased air pollution.
Michigan’s abundant clean waters and forests are a basic reason people choose to live and vacation here. Clean and safe water is also a basic property right, and contaminated surface and ground water will negatively affect property values. We must all work together to protect and safeguard that which makes Michigan so unique.
The oil and gas companies sought and were granted an exemption from the Safe Water Drinking Act and Clean Water Act. These federal exemptions must be removed. The State of New York has issued a moratorium on slick water fracking. We call on the legislature to ban the practice in the State of Michigan. We, all of us at every level, must work together to insure the protection of our natural resources and our environment. Michigan’s marketing campaign, “Pure Michigan” is all about the quality of our exquisite natural resources; however it’s up to all of us to keep it that way.
Join us in asking for a statewide ban on the practice of fracking. Let us work together to protect what is essential for each of us – clean water.
Sincerely,
Don’t Frack Michigan
http://dontfrackmichigan.com/?page_id=34
