Potential for ‘fracking’ near Moab raises drinking water concerns

Proposed drilling for natural gas accompanied by hydraulic fracturing just southeast of picturesque Moab could pollute groundwater, some residents fear.

The Bureau of Land Management plans a Feb. 19 auction of energy leases on some 80,000 acres of federal land in southeast Utah spread across Grand and San Juan counties. Of concern to Kiley Miller and others is 3,600 acres on two BLM parcels about seven miles outside of town and just across the line in San Juan County.The BLM is conducting an environmental assessment of the proposed leases to determine impacts from proposed energy exploration, said Don Ogaard, chief of the leasing support section for the agency’s Utah office.

The document should be available for public review by the end of September, said Rock Smith, of the BLM’s Moab Field Office. A 30-day public comment period will follow.