DAVID DISHNEAU
Associated Press
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Maryland environmental regulators see little risk of water contamination from hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in far western Maryland.
A draft report (http://bit.ly/1ujFFp7 ) released Friday for public comment ranks the risks associated with water contamination mostly low, and in some cases moderate.
It says state regulations are sufficient to protect sources of drinking water supplies, but there is an elevated risk of harm to aquatic life under certain conditions during times of drought.
The report says some of the greatest risks posed by gas drilling involve traffic congestion, accidents and road damage. But the report says those risks can be managed by traffic-flow planning.
The report by the departments of the environment and natural resources is open for public comment through Nov. 3.
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