More wells to be hydraulically fractured in VC Los Padres National Forest

The United States department of Agriculture, in it's role as the umbrella agency running the National Forest Service, and thus overseeing the Los Padres National Forest is considering a plan "in cooperation" with the Bureau of Land Management, to allow Seneca Resource Corporation, an oil and gas company to "drill eight oil and gas wells" and "install new facilities" on LPNF land under existing leases. This field is located behind the city of Fillmore, and is adjacent to the Sespe wilderness. 

Drilling, production. well completion, pipelines, storage, trucks, removal of oil field waste, and more will be part of the project. Including pipeline alonge 285 feet of undisturbed ground. 

"Like most wells completed previously in the Sespe Oil Field, the new wells would be hydraulically fractured as part of completing the wells for production," says Kenneth E. Heffner, Forest Supervisor in the scoping letter posted below. 

The company plans to use the controversial process of hydraulic fracturing - injecting a mix of water, sand and chemicals at high pressure deep underground to break up or fracture the rock to release oil and gas - on the proposed wells. 

The USDA scoping letter is attached below. 

Public comment is being accepted until June 4, and Comments can be directed to 
Los Padres National Forest
Attn: Jonathan Schwartz
1190 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA  93023
fax: 805-646-0484
Hand delivery: Ojai Ranger District Office at the above address. 
Oral comments: in person or via phone: 805-646-4348, Ext. 311 during normal business hours. 
email address: comments-pacificsouthwest-los-padres-ojai@fs.fed.us
If sending an email make the subject: Applications for permit to drill (APD's) in the Sespe Oil Field.

Note: Comments will become part of the public record.