Erosion is an environmental problem for several reasons. First, it reduces available topsoil, diminishing plant growth. Topsoil erosion is an environmental problem worldwide that reduces the amount of land available to produce crops. The
U.S. is losing topsoil ten times faster than it can be replenished. Second, all of the topsoil lost has to go somewhere. Usually it is washed downstream by runoff into local surface water. Under normal circumstances, vegetation acts as a kind of natural filter during strong precipitation, slowing the rate at which soil and water enter surface water. Well pads,
access roads, and staging areas will be cleared of vegetation, as is the case with most construction sites, so the filtering effects are reduced or eliminated and runoff increases, carrying water and soil quickly into nearby surface waters. As discussed further in the next section, runoff and excess sedimentation are harmful to stream ecosystems, especially
the headwater streams commonly found in the areas of New York State likely to be drilled. Mitigation measures at well pads and access roads are likely to significantly reduce, though not eliminate, run of