![]() Industry groups immediately criticized the new report, condemning it as politically motivated, and also highlighted the fact that the instances of contamination are still quite small. Rather than drawing widespread conclusions, the final EPA report documented identified instances of drinking water contamination and highlighted the insufficiency of evidence to know how frequently contamination exists. Critics have long contended that the process poses a risk to drinking water, and some residents near wells have complained about contaminated water, but the industry has insisted it has sufficient safeguards to protect water. Hydraulic fracturing is a process in which large amounts of water, sand, and chemicals are pumped into rock formations underground to fracture the rock and release oil and gas. Most importantly, it provides states, tribes, and communities around the country with critical resources to identify how better to protect public health and drinking water resources.” Burke said, the final report is “a strong and clear representation of the science that exists on hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources…. But when it comes to a “national, systemic conclusion” about fracking’s impact, he said that “that’s a different question this study does not have adequate evidence to make a conclusive, quantified statement about.” “There are instances where fracking has impacted drinking water resources,” said Thomas Burke, a deputy assistant administrator and science adviser with the EPA, in a phone call with reporters Tuesday morning. The report refrains from drawing too many conclusions – including saying with any certainty how severe the risk to drinking water is – and it details many remaining gaps in knowledge and data. Israel failing to stop attacks on Christians, Jerusalem churches say “People forget that they are one of 100,000 or more doing the same thing.”She added, “I hoped through my job to help people better understand and protect nature because once it’s lost, it’s absolutely impossible to re-create the original living tapestry in all of its beauty and complexity.”Indeed, it’s because of the Lauras of this world that we will “hear that titmouse.” Revel in it, she says, but stay on the trail. ![]() She just had the love of it, you know?”That “love of it” keeps Laura at the park after retirement she’s now donating her time, like me and a legion of other Laguna Canyon Foundation and Orange County Parks volunteers taught by her to clear vegetation, plant, patrol trails, and answer park phones.I asked her about Earth Day, and she offered this advice: Real love for nature is respect for nature. One 5-year-old whom Laura first taught at a raptor-themed family day is now in college working with some of the country’s top ornithologists: “But I wouldn’t take responsibility for it. She kept an eye out for succulent thieves and their innocent counterparts, children picking flowers for dogs (don’t get her started on how their presence can disturb the peace of the pocket mouse) and for rattlesnakes that slither under the nature center doors.She taught about plants and animals and nature’s cycles, and she was inspiring. ![]() She could barely get a sentence out without an exclamation: “Listen! A titmouse!” “Ca-ca-ca-ca! Hear that Cooper’s hawk?” “Look! Blue-eyed grass!”Walking with Laura – the recently retired resource specialist at this glorious 7,000-acre preserve, saved three decades ago from development – makes me think of a sparrow flitting through creation: She’s hyperaware but gently ready for nature’s next surprise.For 16 years, until last month, Laura was the beloved but firm public face of the park, creating and running the interpretive programs. After the torrents of March created waterfalls in normally dry Orange County, California, canyons, Laura Cohen and I were clearing brush and planting together in the native garden at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |