The oil and gas drilling process known as “fracking” has seen plenty of controversy and Ohio University is conducting a survey of local leaders to track how industry affects communities, for better or worse.

Sara Boyd, a researcher from Ohio University, says the survey will focus on 17 counties with topics including public safety, the local economy, property values and the environment, to see how the industry has changed them.

Robin Stewart, another researcher on the project, says this survey could be valuable to help communities plan for the future.