Letter to the editor: fracking friction

Dear Editor,
Many Gilroy residents may not know there is oil drilling happening just four miles south of town on the Sargent Ranch. This operation has expanded in the past 15 years, adding 10 new production wells. No environmental study was done in 1993 when the wells were approved by the County. Because they aren’t visible from Highway 101 they’re easily overlooked. That’s why the Sierra Club wants a public investigation of these drilling activities. Are they using advanced drilling techniques that have the potential to pollute our water? Are they using agricultural water supplies in their operations? If so, how much in this drought year?
A recent study linked earthquakes to advanced drilling techniques. This oil field is just two miles from the San Andreas Fault. What are the emergency plans if an earthquake breaks a well shaft? We hope you’ll join the Sierra Club in asking our Board of Supervisors to pay more attention to this potentially harmful land use. A 20-year-old permit with no EIR definitely needs updating. I’d like to see stronger regulations for future drilling and measures taken to prevent fracking (hydraulic fracturing) so close to the Pajaro River.
Connie Rogers