Thousands of gas and oil wells on Native American and federal lands that are at risk of contaminating water supplies remain unchecked by the government, according to a report obtained by the Associated Press.
The report, compiled by the Government Accountability Office, found that even though the oil and gas wells are considered at high risk of water contamination, the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management failed to inspect them, the AP reported. The report highlights the importance of preventing further environmental damage in the age of widespread hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."
The report found that 2,100 wells used in fracking, out of 3,703, remained uninspected even though they were categorized as "high priority," meaning they needed protection from possible water contamination and other environmental damage, the AP reported. The wells were found in several states, including New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah.
Furthermore, the BLM continued fracking at the sites from 2009 to 2012 despite the high risk. Fracking is a method of extracting natural gas and oil from the earth by pumping water and chemicals into the ground. Though the method has been successful within the energy industry, it's a controversial method seen as harmful to the natural environment.
For example, there have been more than 100 cases of pollution in private water wells in Pennsylvania suspected to have been caused by oil or natural gas drilling in the last five years, the AP reported.
"This report reaffirms our concern that the government needs to pay attention to the environment and protect public health and drinking sources from the risks of oil and gas development," Amy Mall, from the Natural Resources Defense Council, told the AP.
The inability of the BLM to inspect the wells is due in part to a lack of funds and staff, as well as oil and gas drainage policies that have not been updated since 1999.
The department said it is in the process of renewing those policies this year, the AP reported.
