Dear Mr. Schwartz:

I am extremely concerned about the potential hydraulic fracturing that was announced recently on federal public lands in the Los Padres National Forest.  This forest is for all to enjoy - tax payers, our endangered species and in general wildlife who reside there.

As you are well aware, California is in an extreme drought.  Fracking uses large amounts of water in the process and we can not afford to use our precious water source in this way.  Not only that, the chemicals that are also used in this process have not been disclosed, let alone tested for their environmental impact of the area.     
  
I'm writing to urge you to protect the Los Padres National Forest from the impacts of fracking and oil drilling. The Forest Service along with other environmental agencies should prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement, and no fracking should be approved until we know more about the potential environmental and public health impacts of this controversial practice.

This is precious land where many enjoy it's beauty.  The area chosen for these fracking sites are very near the Sespe Condor Sanctuary and the Hopper Mountain Wildlife Refuge.  These areas are very important to the success of the California Condor and other animals who take refuge here.  Please suspend the approval of fracking until at a minimum an Environmental Study can be performed. 

Fracking has come under increasing scrutiny from scientists, regulators, and the public due to concerns with groundwater contamination, surface water pollution, water consumption, and public health. It is not acceptable to approve any more fracking in such an environmentally sensitive area until the potential impacts are fully known, and until measures are put into place to protect our forest and our water supplies from environmental harm.

I also urge you to take all measures to protect endangered California condors and steelhead from the impacts of oil development. Please ensure that spills of oil and other hazardous chemicals do not enter Sespe Creek or its tributaries.  If you do approve the drilling, I urge you to stipulate massive fines to those oil companies who do have spills no matter how small.  These fines could help restore our lands and protect our endangered species.

Again, I urge the Forest Service to prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement before approving any fracking operations in Los Padres National Forest. Thank you for your efforts to protect our forest and surrounding communities.

Sincerely,

Tamie Kennedy

 93110