I would like to alert you to a development concerning many citizens as they see their environment and property values being negatively impacted by numerous gas and oil field waste disposal operations.  

Drilling operations are very important to our local economy and provide critical gross production dollars for our schools. But one of the by-products of these operations is the saltwater that must be disposed of. 

Due to the lack of effective oversight and monitoring, Arkansas gas and oil drilling disposal sites and facilities have been shut down or lawsuits and fines filed against them. This information was indicated by an Oklahoma Corporation Commission representative at a Vian hearing recently.   

Firms outside the district are buying land in this area for the purpose of putting in disposal sites. These include a proposed lagoon in Haskell County near Keota, proposed saltwater injection wells near Checotah and Vian Public Schools. There are already permitted sites near Webbers Falls and Briartown in Muskogee County, and two in McIntosh County, one at Hannah and one near the Muskogee County line. 

These are primarily being used to accommodate the petroleum drilling operations in Arkansas, not Oklahoma.  

My research indicates if these are used to their maximum permitted capacity, it will involve an estimated 1,000 semi loads a day being deposited in our area. There is a very limited economic benefit to our area by providing Arkansas with a convenient dumping ground for their petroleum wastes. 

For every $10 in revenue generated by operations in Oklahoma, we experience only $1 from those coming from Arkansas drilling operations. So our economic benefits are extremely limited while impact on our state highway and county infrastructure is enormous. 

OK, this is the problem. Then what are possible solutions?

First, we must recognize the Interstate Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution prevents our legislating a blockage of this material coming into our state. 

However, others and I will be submitting legislation that will restrict the transporting of any material into the state that is not allowed to be deposited in the sending state. We will also ask for laws to be passed that will require the Corporation Commission to monitor the shipment of these disposal wastes to insure it meets the criteria for the disposal site. 

We are also hoping the Native American tribes in the impacted areas will be given consideration in light of their traditional authority on environmental issues in their tribal areas. 

E-mail District 15 state Rep. Ed Cannaday, D-Porum, by Clicking Here