Oil and Gas Drilling

There are over 15,000 oil and gas wells in the Allegheny, more than the other 154 National Forests combined. The Forest Service has been unable to quantify the number of abandoned oil and gas wells that exist on the Allegheny. Private interests own the other 93%. Over 5,000 oil and gas wells have been drilled since 2000. Oil-related spills and leakage introduce toxins such as benzene, toluene, and xylene into forest streams.  The situation is so dire that the Forest Service recently warned the public that “those seeking a more remote and less developed recreation experience could be displaced to other State or National Forests where remote, semi-primitive settings and experiences are more readily available.”