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Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (Nov 2011)
Citation:
U.S. EPA. Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (Nov 2011). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-11/122A, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall purpose of this study is to elucidate the relationship, if any, between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water resources. More specifically, the study has been designed to assess the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources and to identify the driving factors that affect the severity and frequency of any impacts.
Description:
This study has been designed to investigate and assess the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources and to identify the driving factors that affect the severity and frequency of any impacts. The "Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources" identifies the research objectives in detail.
This study plan represents an important milestone in responding to the direction from Congress. EPA is committed to conducting a study that uses the best available science, independent sources of information, and a transparent, peer-reviewed process that will ensure the validity and accuracy of the results. The Agency will work in consultation with other federal agencies, state and interstate regulatory agencies, industry, non-governmental organizations, and others in the private and public sector in carrying out this study. Stakeholder outreach as the study is being conducted will continue to be a hallmark of our efforts, just as it was during the development of this study plan.
EPA has already conducted extensive stakeholder outreach during the developing of this study plan. The draft version of this study plan was developed in consultation with the stakeholders listed above and underwent a peer review process by EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB). As part of the review process, the SAB assembled an independent panel of experts to review the draft study plan and to consider comments submitted by stakeholders. The SAB provided EPA with its review of the draft study plan in August 2011. EPA has carefully considered the SAB’s recommendations in the development of this final study plan.
URLs/Downloads:
Plan to Study the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources (PDF, 190 pp, 2374 KB, about PDF)Errata Sheet (Aug 2020) - EPA Number Update (PDF, 1 pp, 105 KB, about PDF)