Marcellus shale drilling is biggest threat to Pennsylvania wilds

By Patriot-News Op-Ed
November 14, 2009, 8:00AM
by Robert Pennell
They call it the “Pennsylvania Wilds,” more than 6 million acres of relatively unspoiled forests and mountains in 12 northern Pennsylvania counties. Logo for the Pennsylvania WildsThe area has long been known for its remnants of virgin forests, pristine mountain streams, abundant wildlife and magnificent vistas. More than 2 million of those acres are public land, an area equivalent to the acreage occupied by Yellowstone National Park.
Today, however, if you were to visit this part of our commonwealth, you would be greeted by a different environment. You would find a proliferation of new roads being cut into the forests, with semis and tanker trucks hauling tons of heavy equipment and water to remote destinations.
Not since the heyday of heavy timbering has there been such an assault on our northern forests.
This is all about the natural gas being extracted from a widespread geological formation known as Marcellus Shale. .......................
"This year, DEP made the decision to dismiss the county conservation districts as the watchdogs over local construction activities, and then instituted a fast-track permitting rule whereby construction plans would no longer be subjected to scrutiny by DEP, as long as the plans are certified by a registered engineer. " .............read MORE
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