HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — A national conservation group is urging the state of Maryland to prohibit hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Savage River watershed.
The group, Trout Unlimited, added the watershed to its list of 10 places in eight Eastern states that it says are threatened by fracking. The Savage River watershed comprises about 18 percent of Garrett County.
Maryland officials are deciding whether to allow the drilling technique, which uses water mixed with sand and chemicals to break up rock deep underground and release natural gas.
Trout Unlimited says the technique could fragment the forest, reduce trout stream levels and pollute the water.
Maryland environmental regulators have said there’s a moderate risk that withdrawal of water for drilling purposes could harm aquatic life.
The industry says the technique is safe.
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