Position Paper on Unconventional Shale Gas Extraction (Fracking) in Nova Scotia Salmon Association

Introduction

Over the years NSSA has been active on various fronts. It forms part of the Provincial Invasive Species Committee and is represented on the Inner Bay of Fundy Recovery Program.  It is a leader in bringing two levels of government and various river groups together to save the wild Atlantic salmon in the Southern Uplands of Nova Scotia (Zone 20/21). It has instigated an Acid Rain Mitigation Program on the West River Sheet Harbour. The latter is a 10 year liming project which is the only one in North America. The total cost over the 10 years, over $750,000, has, to date, been totally funded by non-governmental organizations.

NSSA operates the “Adopt a Stream Program”. This is funded by the anglers of NS and also by a partnership with the NS Liquor Corporation. This program supports 23 river groups to enhance and protect rivers and riparian habitat. To this end the program contributes over $400,000 annually, not including “in kind” contributions.

The Association was an intervener during the proceedings of the North West Natural Gas Pipeline and the Alton Liquid Gas Project.

Our current understanding of the Unconventional Shale Gas Extraction Process is essentially that contained in the document Primer on the Process of Hydraulic Fracturing prepared as a supporting document to the Nova Scotia Hydraulic Fracturing Independent Review and Public Consultation Process.

Basically, we understand the gas extraction process to include;

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  the injection of fluids under pressure into deep shale gas wells to open existing rock fractures and create new ones;
  
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  the extraction of natural gas through these fractures; and
  
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  the recovery of a variable quantity of the injection fluids as flowback.
  

Based on this level of understanding, the NSSA has several concerns with the extraction of unconventional gas at a commercial scale. We understand that much exploration work is required prior to commercial development, but we feel that a precautionary approach must be taken to ensure adequate protection of Nova Scotia's fragile Atlantic salmon resource. This includes the fish themselves through all stages of their life cycle and their supporting habitats, both freshwater and marine.

Contrary to industry assurances and platitudes, we feel there is a need for further environmental assessment of the gas extraction process specific to Nova Scotian geology and greater disclosure of the materials used and issues that have arisen from previous extraction developments in other jurisdictions.

NSSA Position