The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and The Railroad Commission of Texas Collaborate
Discuss findings of Study on Impacts of Drilling, Hydrofracturing and Extraction Near Joe Pool Dam
June 03, 2016FORT WORTH – In keeping with their top priority of ensuring public safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Railroad Commission of Texas are collaborating to ensure the safety of the public and critical infrastructure while allowing responsible resource development and mineral exploration and production.
Both agencies will collaboratively review the findings of the Corps study completed in February 2016 that examined dam safety implications of drilling, hydrofracturing and extraction at Joe Pool Dam in Grand Prairie, Texas.
“In keeping with our priority of ensuring public safety, the Corps is pleased to work with the Railroad Commission to further ensure oil and gas exploration and other mineral extraction activities pose no threat to our critical facilities and infrastructure,” said Col. Calvin C. Hudson II, commander, Fort Worth District.
“Both our organizations are deeply committed to protecting public safety and our environment through sound, science-based regulation,” said Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton. “Working with the Army Corps of Engineers to review the study in the area around Joe Pool Dam will lead to stronger collaboration between our agencies and bring to bear even greater expertise and resources to address this important issue.”
The goal of the study was to evaluate impacts associated with the development of the gas-rich Barnett Shale formation, which underlies Joe Pool Dam. The initial results of the study indicated possible impacts associated with mineral extraction and possible solutions to help ensure overall public safety in that area.
About the Fort Worth District: The Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was established in 1950. The District is responsible for water resources development in two-thirds of Texas, and design and construction at military installations in Texas and parts of Louisiana and New Mexico. Visit the Fort Worth District Web site at: www.swf.usace.army.mil and SWF Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/usacefortworth/
About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.