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Technological advances in horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing are two primary factors associated with spawning the unprecedented shale gas boom during the past decade in the United States. Accompanying this tremendous surge in shale gas production is a barrage of controversies. One issue at the core of this debate is the fact that many natural gas reserves are located in or near environmentally sensitive areas. A second issue centers around the well stimulation/completion process known as hydraulic fracturing. Data collected in general population surveys from random samples of individuals in Texas and Pennsylvania are used to empirically examine both objective and perceptual issues associated with the exploration and production of shale gas. Specifically, these data are used to empirically examine perceptual issues associated with the exploration and production of natural gas in environmentally sensitive areas. Further, issues associated with the public's views on the process of hydraulic fracturing, the management and disposal of frac flowback wastewaters, and frac flowback wastewater treatment technologies are explored. Lastly, contributions made to self-reported knowledge of hydraulic fracturing by eight different sources and the amount of trust in each of the same sources to deliver unbiased, factual knowledge about the topic are investigated. The findings from this presentation should prove beneficial to rangeland professionals, as well as other natural resource managers and agency personnel. Possible implications and recommendations of the results are advanced, as are suggestions for future research projects and outreach programs.