In the response, she writes: "CPRE Sussex are gravely concerned about the prospect of water and soil contamination as a result of shale gas extraction activities in Balcombe.
"Ground and surface water contamination by hydrochloric acid and other toxic chemicals used in the testing and drilling processes could devastate village life and health, the rural economy, and the health of eco-systems and wildlife in the area.
"We request that no activity should be undertaken at the site until baseline ground and surface water monitoring quality has taken place, and information about water quality before 1986 (when Conoco also drilled the site) has been obtained. This should extend to aquifers in the area from which drinking water is obtained, local reservoirs and the river catchment areas. The monitoring should be capable of assessing the impact both on human health and wildlife/ecosystems. We request that all survey data should be made publicly available.
"We are concerned that there will be hazardous chemicals in the drilling muds and that these could escape into the groundwater. Without and Environmental Impact Assessment we believe it will not be possible to evaluate the full impact of drilling at Balcombe and it is difficult to see therefore how the permit could be issued without this information.
"We understand there is a risk that toxic waste water from hydraulic fracturing activities could emanate from the site for some considerable time (over 25 years) after the drill site has been fracked. This is long after the company will have moved on from the site. How will this be dealt with?
"We are concerned that the storage of chemicals and waste water should be monitored regularly by the Environment Agency and can be guaranteed to be safe.
"Similarly, baseline soil testing should take place before any work is undertaken at the site, and information about soil quality before 1986 when former drilling took place has been obtained. We ask that this be made publicly available.
"Baseline air quality monitoring needs to be done so that the impacts of flaring gases can be measured. We are also concerned about the whole issue of escaped gases from the mining process as the integrity of the casings of the borehole cannot be guaranteed. All monitoring information should be made public. The significant impact of light pollution from flaring should also be considered, given that this is a rural area characterised by dark night skies.
"The impact of additional lorry and vehicle traffic carrying fluids and waste water to and from the site should also be very closely monitored before and after testing and drilling. This should include the impact on air quality and noise pollution."
Image courtesy of Frack Off