Oil and Gas Management Plan for Big South Fork and Obed River

The National Park Service is developing an Oil and Gas Management Plan for oil and gas wells in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (BSFNRRA) and Obed Wild and Scenic River (OWSR). Public comments will be used to develop a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which will list a range of management alternatives aimed at oil and gas drilling in the Obed and Big South Fork areas. The Oil & Gas Management Plan is intended to “clearly define a strategy, and provide guidance for the next 15-20 years to ensure that activities … are conducted in a manner that protects park resources and values …” *

There are 320 private oil and gas wells within the BSFNNRA and 6 in the OWSR. These 326 wells comprise over 50% of all the wells on National Park Service (NPS) property across the country! There are another 44 oil and gas wells located less than a half mile from the OWSR boundary, and 71 within a mile.

An oil well adjacent to Clear Creek blew out in July 2002, spilling an estimated 200 to 500 barrels per hour into the river and causing a fire inside the park. Oil still seeps from the ground and into the river during the summer, and a section of Clear Creek remains on the state's 303-D list of impacted streams because of the oil well accident.

In 2005, oil and gas permitting increased by 59%, with even greater demands in the first part of 2006. The Act that established the BSFNRRA prohibits oil and gas activity in the gorge, but permits privately-owned well in the adjacent area (the Plateau), subject to regulations that protect Park resources.

In the NPS scoping brochure, it states: "Many of the past and existing oil and gas operations in these NPS units are adversely impacting resources and values, human health and safety, and visitor use and experience; most are not in compliance with federal and state regulations, most notably, the National Park Service 36 CFR Part 9B Regulations (9B). In addition, future oil and gas operations have the potential to damage park resources and values." *

The 9B regulations require that operators obtain NPS approval of a proposed Plan of Operations before commencing activities and that they post a bond. Methods in the Plan of Operation must be the least damaging to Park resources. 9B regulations are more stringent than the state's regulations. They prohibit surface activities within 500 feet of any watercourse or any facility used for interpretation or public recreation. However, the Plan of Operations can authorize specific exceptions to this requirement (something we must resist).

Under a No Action Alternative, current management would continue. Not only would the current adverse impact be continued, but would be multiplied due to the present upsurge in oil and gas activity. That is why NPS must be supported in considering other management strategies, especially the pro-active enforcement of 9B regulatory requirements, and an increase in inspections and monitoring. Another important is the designation os Special Management areas (SMAs) where Park resources are particularly susceptible. These could include geological features, trails, cliff edges, and sensitive viewsheds. The entire OWSR could be designated a SMA (something we need to support strongly).

* Source: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=10911&documentID=16603

Send comments before September 26, 2006, to:

Superintendent Reed Detring
Big South Fork NNRA
4564 Leatherford Road
Oneida, TN 37841

or at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/BISO

Here is a sample letter.

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Thanks to Liane Russell whose materials served as the basis for this page.