WOC Protest Halts Coalbed Methane Discharge Permits

by Tom Darin

In the past several months, WOC has successfully challenged the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's (WDEQ's) approval of all coalbed methane (CBM) drilling permits in the state on grounds that the water discharged from CBM wells is of poor quality.

In March, joined by the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC), WOC objected to all 37 proposed WDEQ permits based upon the high salt content of discharge water in relation to its calcium and magnesium content.  This criterion is known as the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) value.  Studies in the Montana portion of the Powder River Basin have documented two critical problems:  CBM water generally has high SAR values; and high SAR values in areas with poorly drained soils ­ which predominate in the Basin ­ cause soil erosion, mineral leaching from soils and the death of most native plants species, which in turn encourages infestation of salt-tolerant weeds.

In April, WOC received good news from WDEQ.  In its response to our protest, WDEQ stated, "We will hold each new permit application until we have received evidence from the applicant illustrating their ability to meet the requirement [of not impairing agricultural uses]."  Accordingly, WDEQ has held up the approval of all CBM permits until industry provides evidence, presumably the SAR value of the discharge water and surrounding soil types, demonstrating that existing agricultural and ranching uses will not be impaired.

Also in April, on the heels of this important victory, WOC and PRBRC objected to 43 additional CBM permits proposed by WDEQ prior to our objections.  This second protest was bolstered by additional studies from Montana soil scientists, demonstrating that the adjusted SAR is the key indicator (adjusted SAR accounts for carbonates and bicarbonates, which serve to lessen the effectiveness of calcium and magnesium, thereby increasing the actual, or adjusted SAR).

In addition, we pointed out to WDEQ that, based on studies by the BLM's own soil scientists, an adjusted SAR over 3 is dangerous to soils and plants.  This is a very serious issue, since CBM discharge water in the Powder River Basin ranges from 7 to 41, with the average SAR value, in one Montana Powder River Basin study, a staggering 34.

Again, WOC was victorious.  WDEQ has delayed approval of all 43 pending discharge permits for CBM wells pending industry compliance with Clean Water Act standards.
 
Building on the momentum of these important victories, WOC is expanding the scope of its water-quality concerns beyond agricultural uses.  Scientists are studying the impacts of CBM development on other water uses, particularly aquatic life and fisheries in the streams and rivers into which discharge wells dump hundreds of millions of gallons of water every day.  We will closely monitor this research and act to protect fisheries and aquatic species from any adverse impacts of discharge wells.