ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 10, 2012)—The Maryland Department of the Environment has contracted with the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science to research best management practices that could be applied to shale gas development in Maryland. The tasks include the review of literature and practices in other states to identify methods and techniques that have been shown to protect air quality, drinking water supplies, water quality, and habitat, as well as best practices to address issues ranging from drilling and noise control to waste handling and blowout prevention.
A scientific team will be assembled and led by Dr. Keith Eshleman to survey best management practices adopted and proposed in other states with shale gas development, including Colorado, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. In addition, the team will research industry standards, review governmental and advisory commission reports, and consult with experts in relevant fields. Reports will be produced this summer that will be used to guide the selection of a set of best practices that offer the maximum protection of public health, safety, the environment, and natural resources in Maryland.
Governor Martin O’Malley established the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative by Executive Order in June 2011. The Initiative is administered by the Departments of the Environment and Natural Resources, in consultation with an Advisory Commission. The Departments and Advisory Commission will review the reports and use them to help answer the question of whether and how gas production from the Marcellus shale in Maryland could be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment, and natural resources. The final report under the contract is due in December 2012.
Information about the Initiative can be found at the Department of the Environment’s website:www.mde.state.md.us/programs/Land/mining/marcellus/Pages/index.aspx.