Gabriel, T. (2014, November 18). In Compromise Plan, Limited Fracking Is Approved for National Forest in Virginia. Retrieved November 24, 2014, from

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/us/us-backs-limited-use-of-oil-drilling-technique-in-national-forest-compromise.html?_r=0

As of November 18, 2014, fracking in the largest national forest in the Eastern U.S. has been mostly banned. However, fracking remains legal in the George Washington National Forest. For the first time in years, all sides-industry, governors, and environmentalists are content with the compromise. That is, the decision to allow some fracking while closing off roughly 90% of the forest to drilling (something an earlier proposal would have allowed.)

The article shows the incongruity amongst the environmentalists and oil companies. The environmentalists stress the need for clean drinking water, something the forest provides with its various fresh water streams. Meanwhile, oil companies argue that the industry opens thousands of jobs, which in turn decreases the national unemployment rate and benefits the economy. However, in this rare case, both sides can feel satisfied. Given, 90% of the area is off limits to the oil companies, yet the 10% they do have left is still a hefty amount of land in the 1.1 million acre forest.