The environmental damage from fracking can now be seen in many places across the country. Chemical leaks into watersheds, earthquakes, and complaints of "un-breathable air" from local residents are well documented, as are the "gag orders" prohibiting citizens from even talking about hydraulic fracturing imposed by local governments paid by the fracking companies.

Now, West Virginia feels it has the right to pollute the Ohio River for their small financial gains.  A deal was reached between the state of West Virginia and Statoil to approve fracking on about 474 acres of land beneath the river in Marshall and Wetzel Counties. The state will receive 20 percent production royalties. Leasing state-owned land for hydraulic fracturing is a new venture for the state. Many people said they are worried about the effects.

ALL states along the Ohio river and the Mississippi should take note that this will further degrade and increase toxicity of THEIR waterway, too.

The Ohio River is already the 7th most polluted waterway in the U.S. due to an accumulation of short-sighted revenue generators like this involving natural resource exploitation. Clearly, we cannot rely on state governments to be good neighbors. Would you let your neighbor pour toxic chemicals into YOUR lawn?   

Statoil, please, no longer take advantage of a governments budgetary shortfalls and disregard OUR watersheds for private gain!

West Virginia, CANCEL THIS CONTRACT AND SHUT IT DOWN!