Dear Mr. Schwartz:

It is the Forest Service's obligation to protect the Los Padres National Forest from the impacts of industrial development.  In particular, "fracking" and further oil drilling should be carefully evaluated. The Forest Service should prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement, and none of these activities should be approved until more is known about the potential environmental and public health impacts of this controversial practice.

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 such activities in an environmentally sensitive area until the potential impacts are fully known, and until measures are put into place to protect the forest, the wildlife it supports, and local water supplies from potential environmental harm.

Please prepare a full Environmental Impact Statement before approving any fracking operations in the Los Padres National Forest. 

Thank you for your efforts to protect the forest and local groundwater supplies.


A H

CA 91360