In recent years Elk County has seen its fair share of activity from the Marcellus Shale industry. 

In an effort to help provide more information to the public about ongoing drilling, or permits that have been obtained, officials in Elk County have created interactive maps. 

Jim Abbey, the Geographic Information Systems director for the county has been using software to create the maps. 

"The reason why we did it is because of the Marcellus Shale industry and the boom with the natural gas.  People are always asking questions.  You know, you hear stuff on the news, the hype and things like that. So we thought, why don't we put some maps out so people could see the potential location for where the permits are being issued.  Maybe it is in their proximity, maybe it is not but it at least lets them know there it is," said Abbey. 

Abbey created the maps about a year ago and said that he updates them regularly. He is hoping that not only residents in Elk County will find a use for the county maps, but those in other areas too. 

"I thought that would be a very good way of giving the citizens of Elk County and else where an opportunity to look at it," he said. 

By using the maps you can see where new and old wells are in the county.  Viewers can also use navigational tools to determine how close one might live to a well, or where a permit has been obtained.  There are even features where you can see what watersheds are in your municipality. 

"I want people to want to play around a little bit. Take a look at things and come up with their own conclusions or maybe just share your curiosity," he said. 

To look at the interactive maps Click Here then scroll down to Elk County Permitted Oil & Gas wells and click Interactive Version.