Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Popular Press Article
Popular Press Article
They might leave their habitat. They might not reproduce. If this is the case, there will be more
animals added to the Endangered Species List. And, who wants that?
In fact, one study found that a single drilling station can affect 30 acres of forest. The effects are
degradation of habitat and interference with migration and reproduction. Think about it. The things
these birds and other species were born to domigrate and reproduceare being taken away.
This could lead to a total flop in our ecosystem. And it doesnt look as though fracking will stop
anytime soon.
According to the Buckeye Forest Council (an Ohio based organization that protects Ohios native
forests and their inhabitants) the Ohio Division of Forestry (ODF) is reversing 14 years of
management. This means they are announcing new plans to eliminate 8,000 acres of natural forest
in Ohio, specifically in Shawnee State Forest. Nathan Johnson, a conservation leader and staff
attorney at the BFA says that, This is a big and unfortunate development that would shortchange
both the public and some of the states most sensitive species.
Today, Blue Rock State Forest (a state park in Muskingham County, Ohio) is home to sensitive and
state-designated threatened and endangered species. This includes the timber rattlesnake, the river
redhorse (fish), the bobcat, and the eastern box turtle. The Black Bear species may also be present
in the area where fracking will occur. The sad part of fracking in our native forests is that these
animals dont have a voice. They cant create a petition to move fracking elsewhere, but you can.
Remember that you have a voice.
What about our farms?
Im not a farmer. I dont know any farmers. In fact, Ive never been to a working farm. But I find
solace watching the cows graze their grassy land as Im en route to my apartment. Not because I
know they could be sent to the meat packing plant the next day, but because they look peaceful,
because they seem happy, because in that momentthats their home.
Our wildlife animals are not the only ones in harms way. Cows, pigs, and chickens are all victims of
food poisoning. Contaminated surface water has killed farm animals because fracking fluid was
handled improperly. {Insert comment from Dr. Haynes on water toxicity}. It only takes a small spill of
the highly toxic mixture to have a large impact on our farm animals. Since they are attracted to the
saltiness of fracking fluids they swallow fatal quantities and meet an untimely, unfair, and
unwanted death.
Cornell University researchers conducted a year-long study of farm animals and fracking. In one
case, 17 cows died because fracking fluids were spilled across their pasture and into their drinking
water. It killed them within an hour, a quick, yet painful death.
On the other hand, if the animals dont die by drinking contaminated water, they will surely have
reproductive repercussions. Forty percent of the chemicals in the fracking fluid are known to be
endocrine disruptors which interfere with the bodys natural reproductive system. Some of the
cows in the Cornell study were expectant mothers and produced stillborn calves and a few goats
exhibited reproductive problems. The chemicals will cause infertility in male and female livestock,
leaving the animals for a life less purposeful.
What can we do?
It is gloomy outside in southwest Ohio, with birds hiding and a rush of cool air gusting. Drinking a
cup of coffee, pulling up my blinds, looking out my window, I watched a deer run across the road
and a farmer herd cows into his barn. I listened to the rain hit the concrete on my back porch, and I
saw two chipmunks run from tree to tree, dodging the huge rain drops. My Golden Retriever sat in a
puddle, stuck his nose up, and breathed in the fresh air. Southwest Ohio was gloomy, but southeast
Ohio was worse.
As I watched my beloved canine companion enjoy the outdoors, I thought of all the animals
wildlife and livestockin southeast Ohio. They dont go out to enjoy fresh air, they live in the fresh
air. Their home is the outdoors. We, humans, are taking away their home.
If we take time to understand the life cycles and movements of wildlife species before beginning the
fracking process, we could help reduce the negative impacts of energy development on wildlife. The
animals that have created a home in our national parks are iconic and valued species. We should
treat them with respect and plan carefully. We should not forget that livestock needs fresh water,
fresh air, and fresh land. They have the right to reproduce healthy young, just like humans do.
Whether its the Coyote or Red Fox, whether its the dairy cow or chicken, we have a duty to protect
these animalsbecause we can.