November 18, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Virginia
The Forest Service decided Tuesday to allow a plan that will involve fracking in George Washington National Forest. The 1.1 million-acre national forest, will no longer be leased for energy extraction, which will allow companies to use up to 16 percent of the forest to extract those materials as they see fit. Although this decision does not specifically address the issue, it is a distinct turn from previous proposals which would have specifically banned hydraulic fracturing in the area. The decision limits the available area down to the 16 percent from a 1993 decision that allowed the entire area of the forest to be accessed. Companies must still obtain a permit to drill. All currently-leased acres are controlled by R&R Royalty, a Texas company.
