(Below is my public comment to the Bakersfield Field Office. You can add your own comments here.
https://eplanning.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/planAndProjectSite.do?methodName=dispatchToPatternPage¤tPageId=149606
Comments are due by June 9th:)
Re: SEISMICITY: figure 3.10.1, p.42
Fracking in an area prone to earthquakes is more than problematic. It is dangerous. On p. 92 of your report it says, “...researchers have concluded that wastewater disposal is responsible for the majority of, and the most damaging, induced earthquakes associated with oil and gas development… increased fluid pressure is the probable driving mechanism for induced earthquakes, the wastewater disposal wells can raise fluid pressure…” Later on the same page, it says, “Although unlikely, induced earthquakes associated with wastewater disposal wells related to hydraulically fractured wells would be possible under All Action Alternatives.” In other words, fracturing can cause earthquakes. I am not confident that this is unlikely. A study published in Science magazine shows that wastewater injections, a process similar to fracking, causes earthquakes. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/359/6381/1251.full Oklahoma, an area rife with fracking activity, now has similar seismic activity to California. https://www.businessinsider.com/earthquakes-fracking-oklahoma-research-2018-2/
On May 2, 1993 a 6.5 earthquake occurred in Coalinga, CA (Fresno County). This was an area with no known faults, but a lot of oil drilling. The eight-block downtown was destroyed. There were many injuries and a loss of homes. My mother-in law-had to leave the area after the earthquake, because her furniture kept falling over from the aftershocks. Other family members have since left the area.
To quote the California Earthquake Authority, “Like all of California, the Central Valley which is ringed by faults is earthquake country. Shaking can begin suddenly….” To frack in earthquake territory shows lack of respect for the people who live nearby and for the people of California.
SOIL DISTURBANCES and Valley Fever 4.6.1, p. 78-80
Valley Fever is mentioned in small print in your report without an answer to how they would prevent a spread in this disease. Because most of the places where people get Valley Fever have low populations, this disease, caused by a fungus in the soil, has not received a lot of press. Fracking and further oil development will disturb the soil that carries this fungus. My family in Coalinga, CA (Fresno County) have almost all had Valley Fever. They had to have long convalescences. My mother in law almost died from it. “The Lost Hills, Buena Vista and Bakersfield areas are known endemic areas for Valley Fever.” p. 78
SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES Section 4.6, p. 78; p. 83, figure 4.6.1
According to the report, “Prime or important Farmland Soil Including Farmlands of State Importance and Prime Farmlands if irrigated are present in the Lost Hills, Buena Vista, and Bakersfield supplemental hydraulic fracturing analysis areas.” We only have to look on the packaging of our fruits and vegetables to see how many of them are grown in this area. Over 1/3 of the country’s vegetables and 2/3 of their fruits and nuts come from California (California Department of Food and Agriculture).
These valuable farmlands are subject to erosion if disturbed by fracturing. (table 4.6.1 p. 79)
Meanwhile, recent storms in the Midwest have covered valuable farmland with flood waters. They are unable to plant their crops. We need to protect our farmlands by not further opening them to oil and gas drilling and fracturing.
Agriculture, especially in this arid region, requires irrigation which means water.” Data for California indicates that hydraulic fracturing consumes about 100,000 gallons of water per well in addition to another 100,000 gallons for the drilling process. Farming, especially in this dry/desert area, requires a lot of water, something that is not in abundance especially in recent drought years. We may have to choose between eating and oil production.
Furthermore, fracking and other oil production are a danger to the underground water table. (Note table 4.8 p. 86) Chemical types used in fracturing are listed. I’m sure this is not a complete list of chemicals which will be used and will become part of the water table. It appears that a complete study has not been completed (p.88). I found no assurances that fracking and oil development will not further poison the water table. This is dangerous since the water table sustains not only farming, but all human and animal life.
GREENHOUSE GASES AND GLOBAL WARMING Section 3.1.1 and table 4.1.5 ( p. 58)
Recent events have shown how we are being impacted by climate change. The fires in California and the tornadoes and floods in the middle of the United States are just a small sample of the impact of weather changes. This section of the report seems to be short and doesn’t draw important conclusions about the impact of fracking and oil and gas development on global warming. I found table 4.1.5 on p. 58 to be significant. It tells us that 336,194,910 POUNDS of CO2 will be produced by 40 hydraulically fractured wells PER YEAR. I don’t have to be a scientist to tell that this will have an impact. This goes against what science tells us we need to do to protect ourselves from global warming. Adding to fracking and oil development in this area shows a lack of caring for the State of California and its people and for the world and its future.