A federal agency is objecting to the drilling of five new oil and gas wells in the Allegheny National Forest because the drilling would “jeopardize” the scenic and recreational quality in a section of the national park.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service filed an objection with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to well permit applications submitted by U.S. Energy Development Corp. on Jan. 26.

The company intends to drill five wells in Mead Township, Warren County. The lot is inside the national forest.

The wells would be located very close to State Route 59, designated by the U.S. Congress in 1990 at the Longhouse National Scenic byway.

“We believe that this close proximity will jeopardize and cause irreversible damage to the scenic value and recreational quality of this National Scenic Byway,” wrote Kathleen S. Morse, forest supervisor of the 513,000-acre Allegheny National Forest.

Documents pertaining to the Forest Service’s objections were obtained by the Allegheny Defense Project through a Freedom of Information Act request. The organization is a non-profit environmental awareness coalition.

“We are encouraged by this new direction,” said Ryan Talbot, forest watch coordinator for the Allegheny Defense Project. “We have been saying for several years that the Forest Service has the authority to file objections to the location of wells in order to protect all of the Allegheny’s other resources and uses.”

Talbot said the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will review the objections before deciding whether to issue the drilling permits.

Bill Belitskus, president of the Allegheny Defense Project, said his organization believes the state DEP is too focused on “permitting oil companies to drill unfettered all across the Allegheny National Forest.”

source news : thederrick.com