Environmental Groups Raise Concerns Over Texas Oil Find

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HOUSTON (AP) - Some environmental organizations have raised concerns about a reported big oil and gas discovery in West Texas.

The Houston Chronicle reports several environmental groups are scrutinizing plans to drill around Balmorhea State Park and its famous spring-fed pool.

Houston-based Apache Corp. last month announced plans for drilling after projecting up to 3 billion barrels of oil and 75 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in an area it calls Alpine High.

The group called Earthworks has commissioned an assessment of the potential risks to the local waters. The Nature Conservancy plans to begin testing water quality on several sites it owns in the area.

Apache says it's taking environmental responsibility very serious and will work with University of Texas at Arlington scientists to study the area's water quality.

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