The impacts of shale natural gas energy development on outdoor recreation: A statewide assessment of pennsylvanians
Introduction
As the demand for energy production in the United States continues to increase, shale natural gas energy development (SGD) remains one of the most viable and abundant domestic options (Loomis & Haefele, 2017). In recent years, SGD has taken the United States by storm due largely to its economic feasibility and vast energy potential. Specifically, the Northeast region of the United States has seen the most dramatic increase in SGD, with the region expanding from a few negligible wells a decade ago, to one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world today (U.S. EIA, 2018). The Marcellus Shale of Pennsylvania has largely driven this development with more than 10,000 wells drilled in Pennsylvania between 2005 and 2017, producing more than 25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (Exec, 2015). The influence of the Marcellus Shale and the levels of development in Pennsylvania are expected to steadily increase. Over the next 30 years, SGD is projected to more than double in production, with the majority of growth coming from the Northeast region of the United States (U.S. EIA, 2018).
Researchers, natural resource managers, and the general public have noted the effects of SGD upon local communities and landscapes. Studies have broadly found that individuals affected by SGD often reveal a host of negative social, environmental, and infrastructure impacts (Brasier et al., 2011; Lorig, 2016; Jacquet & Stedman, 2013a; Schafft & Biddle, 2015; Thomas et al., 2017; Weigle, 2010). Research has also shown the positive impacts of SGD which largely revolve around notions of economic prosperity and energy independence (Brasier et al., 2011; Kinnaman, 2011; Rahm, Fields, & Farmer, 2015; Thomas et al., 2017; Willits, Brasier, Ooms, Tracewski, & Stedman, 2008). While the majority of SGD research has broadly focused on environmental, economic, and social impacts, attention has also turned towards perceptions of SGD risks, benefits, and impacts across specific populations (Clough & Bell, 2016; Evensen, 2015).
SGD currently takes place on both public and private lands within the United States. Much of the current and proposed SGD infrastructure operates either within or adjacent to public lands, waters, and protected areas, raising concerns about the potential impacts upon outdoor recreation stakeholders. The literature has suggested that outdoor recreation may be impacted by SGD, but to date, no studies have specifically assessed this phenomenon amongst a statewide population sample. This study found that nearly one-quarter (23.4%) of Pennsylvania residents had encountered SGD related activities while participating in outdoor recreation and that 13.8% of residents had changed their outdoor recreation behaviors and experiences as a result of encountering SGD in Pennsylvania. Moreover, a sub-sample of study respondents qualitatively identified SGD related impacts upon their outdoor recreation behaviors, experience, and activities which often resulted in substitution behaviors and/or a lack of perceived ‘fit’ between the energy development and the landscape and environment. This study highlights the specific and nuanced impacts of SGD upon outdoor recreationists as well as the importance of assessing and communicating recreation experience and use impacts when planning, developing, and managing SGD and related decisions in the United States.
Section snippets
Shale natural gas energy development
SGD is the largest energy sector in the United States, representing 31% of overall domestic energy production in 2017 (U.S. EIA, 2017b). Conventional shallow-well natural gas energy development has produced slow and consistent natural gas in the United States for over a century. However, recent technological advances have allowed for the efficient and cost effective extraction of shale natural gas reserves via unconventional hydraulic fracturing (Considine, Considine, & Watson, 2016; U.S. EIA,
Research questions
- R1
To what extent have outdoor recreationists encountered SGD while recreating in Pennsylvania, and how does this vary across regions within the state?
- R2
To what extent have outdoor recreationists altered their outdoor recreation behaviors and experiences as a result of encountering SGD while recreating in Pennsylvania, and how does this vary across regions within the state?
- R3
How have outdoor recreationists been impacted by SGD while recreating in Pennsylvania?
Study context – Pennsylvania and the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan
The state of Pennsylvania is home to a
Theory
This study sought to add to the growing body of SGD research by specifically considering recreationists' perceptions' of impact. Several studies have advanced theory that many of the perceived negative impacts of SGD often stem from a lack of ‘fit’ between the energy development and the values that people assign to both the community and the landscape (Jacquet & Stedman, 2013b; Stedman, 2002; 2003). ‘Fit’ refers to how an energy development project is interpreted within the symbolic meaning of
Results
All data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. To address research question R1, frequencies, valid percentages, and cross-tabulation procedures in conjunction with Pearson's Chi-Square analysis was used. To address research question R2, frequencies, valid percentages, and cross-tabulation procedures in combination with Pearson's Chi-Square analysis was again applied. Finally, to address research question R3, constant comparative methods,
Discussion
SGD has expanded rapidly in the United States for various technological, economic, and geopolitical reasons, with production expected to more than double by 2050 (U.S. Exec, 2015). A majority of the SGD infrastructure in Pennsylvania is either within or adjacent to public lands, waters, and protected areas, raising concerns about the impact on outdoor recreation stakeholders. The literature has suggested that outdoor recreation may be impacted by SGD, but to date, no studies have specifically
Conclusion
The results of this study found that only a sub-sample of Pennsylvania outdoor recreationists encountered and were indeed impacted by SGD; particularly in the regions where SGD was more widespread. Certain recreationists within this impacted sub-sample were able to identify not only the behavioral impacts of SGD upon their recreation experiences and activities, but also the landscape environmental quality or ‘fit’ impacts of SGD upon their communities and regions. These findings suggested that
Acknowledgements
All study design, data collection, analyses, interpretation, and decisions to submit this article for publication were made by The Pennsylvania State University Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management and The University of New Hampshire Department of Recreation Management and Policy. Funding for this research was supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The cooperation provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
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