Fracking pollution has made the Susquehanna River the most endangered river in the United States, according to a report released today by American Rivers.
The Susquehanna is one of the longest rivers in America, winding through New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. It flows right over the Marcellus Shale region — ground zero for the fracking industry.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, involves drilling a mile or more below the earth's surface and blasting a pressurized solution of water, sand, and chemicals to fracture the rocks below and release the natural gas.
Early this year, it was revealed that fracking wastewater was being dumped into the Susquehanna without being fully treated.
This resulted in levels of radium and other radioactive materials that were 100 times as high as levels set by federal drinking water standards.
And last week, we reported that fracking was leading to "explosive" levels of methane in drinking water.
"Already, spills from trucks hauling wastewater, leaks from lined fluid holding pits, and cracked well casings have contaminated private water wells. The potential for future environmental and public health catastrophes along the Susquehanna will only increase, considering the number of new wells projected and the amount of toxic wastewater produced," the report warned.
Fracking pollution also helped put the Hoback River in Wyoming at the number seven slot.
Mining, pollution and over-development are cited for the rest of the top ten:
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Susquehanna River (New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland)
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Bristol Bay (Alaska)
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Roanoke River (Virginia, North Carolina)
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Chicago River (Illinois)
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Yuba River (California)
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Green River (Washington)
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Hoback River (Wyoming)
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Black Warrior River (Alabama)
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St. Croix River (Minnesota, Wisconsin)
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Ozark National Scenic Riverways (Missouri)
As a Maryland resident, I not only count on the Susquehanna for my drinking water, but also to provide fresh water to our Chesapeake Bay — the largest estuary in the United States.
Sewage treatment plants, poultry farm waste runoff, and air pollution have seriously fouled the Chesapeake's waters and decimated our famous crab and oyster populations...
We certainly don't need fracking pollution adding to the mess.
American Rivers is calling on the Susquehanna River Basin Commission to "announce a complete moratorium on water withdrawals and hydraulic fracturing until there are comprehensive regulations in place for natural gas development or they will put public health and drinking water at risk."
You can join American Rivers in requesting a moritorium here.
Be Well,
Jimmy
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There is no pollution there. It is one of the Prime sites for Alaska Salmon Fishing. There is a project called Pebble Mine that is in the pemit stage that some say will have the possibility of causing problems for the salmon streams that go thru the area and empty into Bristol Bay. This project is years away if they get their permits.