WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing is a process that injects sand, water, and other fluids, including various chemical compounds, underground to aid in the extraction of oil and natural gas; and
WHEREAS, hydraulic fracturing has been used for over 60 years in oil and gas production, with over one million wells having been fractured in the United States alone; and
WHEREAS, states have primary and exclusive authority over the allocation and administration of rights to the use of water used in hydraulic fracturing operations; and
WHEREAS, states have decades of experience, knowledge, and information regulating hydraulic fracturing and other oil and gas activities, and making decisions regarding the protection of their water resources; and
WHEREAS, states are best positioned to regulate hydraulic fracturing because of their understanding of regional and local conditions and their ability to tailor regulations to fit the needs of the local environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that federal efforts involving hydraulic fracturing, including efforts to study potential adverse impacts on water quantity and quality, should leverage state knowledge, experience, policies, and regulations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that federal efforts to study the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on water resources should be based upon sound science and driven by states’ research and policy priorities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Western States Water Council opposes any and all efforts that would diminish the primary and exclusive authority of states over the allocation of water resources used in hydraulic fracturing.
Position No. 484
(See also Position #436, 7/18/19; #393, 7/15/16; and Position #353, 6/26/13)