In "Fracking water a horrific legacy," Dec. 10, those of us who welcome shale gas development in New York share the writer's view that natural gas development and hydraulic fracturing operations must protect water resources.
Unfortunately, the balance of the letter disregards the state Department of Environmental Conservation's ongoing environmental impact study and companion regulations, which address all of the issues mentioned, and many more.
New York's new rules and regulations require disclosure of all fracturing fluid additives (this is already being done voluntarily at http://www.fracfocus.org). All wastewater generated from hydraulic fracturing will be tracked at each step of the process under a program similar to managing medical waste. Untreated wastewater will not be discharged at the surface; it will be contained in steel tanks and reused, properly treated or disposed at permitted facilities.
Under the new rules, drillers must file a water management plan before DEC will even issue a drilling permit. If an operator can't show the water source for each job and identify an ultimate destination for produced water, the permit will not be issued and the gas well will not be drilled.
When New York moves ahead with shale gas production, it will be with utmost care and caution to ensure the safety of our water supplies.
JOHN CONRAD
Lagrangeville