Public comment sought on proposed gas fracking in northeast Nevada

ELKO — Federal land managers are seeking public comment on a Houston-based oil company’s proposed gas exploration drilling in northeast Nevada with the use of hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking.

Noble Energy Inc. proposes to drill up to 20 wells on 39,445 acres of public and private lands around Tabor Flats in Elko County, about four miles northwest of Wells.

Construction associated with the project includes drill pads and new roads as well as maintenance or upgrades to existing roads to allow drill rig and support vehicle traffic.

A total of 20,662 acres, or 52 percent, of the project area would be on public land.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is accepting public comment on its environmental assessment for the Mary’s River Oil and Gas Exploration Project until April 23.