The comment period on the DEC's draft scope of the Generic Environmental Impact Statement on gas drilling in New York State ends with the close of business (5 pm), Monday, 12/15!

Want to send a message to the DEC on the draft scope of work, but don't know what to say?  Here's what to do:

First, choose from 2 options:
Option 1) calls for a total ban on gas drilling in NYS
Option 2) calls for strict protections

Second, cut and paste the text of your choice into an e-mail and send it to the address provided just below.  It's that easy.


Option 1: NO DRILLING MESSAGE:

Send an email to:  dmnog@gw.dec.state.ny.us

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Subject: Scope Comments

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to submit comments to the Draft Scope for Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS) on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program.

I would like to make it clear that I fully support, as the first option, the alternative suggested by the DEC in the draft scope of work:

7.0 ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS

Alternatives to be reviewed by the dSGEIS will include (1) the prohibition of development of Marcellus Shale and other low permeability reservoirs by horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing

As a second option, I am calling for an entirely new GEIS to be completed by the DEC.  The 1988 Draft and 1992 FGEIS are out of date and no longer relevant.  The new GEIS should include cumulative impacts, and the impacts from gas pipelines and greenhouse gas emissions, which were specifically omitted in the scope of work.

Sincerely,

Your Name and Address
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__________________________________

---  OR  ---


Option 2:  STRICT REGULATION MESSAGE:

Send an email to:  dmnog@gw.dec.state.ny.us

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Subject: Scope Comments

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to submit comments to the Draft Scope for Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS) on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program.

Drilling in the Marcellus shale requires the use of hydraulic fracturing, a process that relies on toxic chemicals and very large amounts of water to fracture the shale.  During the process of fracturing, some of these toxic chemicals are left in the ground.  Experience with fracturing in many other states has shown that it cannot be precisely controlled and so it frequently damages nearby water wells and can contaminate drinking water. 

The process also requires large amounts of water and produces large amounts of waste.  Transporting these large amounts of water and waste will require large numbers of trucks moving through the towns of New York, with the risk of accidents and spills. 

Drilling for "un-natural gas" will also create air and noise pollution, increase global warming, and negatively affect the health of New York's residents.

Before the DEC begins to review any permit to drill wells into the Marcellus shale that would use hydraulic fracturing to produce the gas, the agency should address:

- full disclosure of the name and amount of any chemical to be used in the drilling and fracturing process;

- whether any non-toxic alternatives are available for these chemicals;

- where the water needed to fracture the shales will come from and what permits are required to use this water;

- where the waste water from these wells will be handled, what standards these waste facilities have to meet and how the waste will be moved from the well to the waste facility;

- if the wastes will be moved by truck, whether the roads are capable of handling these heavy loads, how many accidents and spills will be expected and whether the local emergency spill responders are equipped to address these toxic spills;

- what options landowners whose water wells are damaged will have to replace their drinking water;

- noise impacts assuming 16 wells per square mile over 1/2 of NYS;

- air quality impacts assuming 16 wells per square mile over 1/2 of NYS;

- soil and food impacts assuming 16 wells per square mile over 1/2 of NYS;

- health impacts assuming 16 wells per square mile over 1/2 of NYS;

- transportation impacts assuming 16 wells per square mile over 1/2 of NYS; and

- impacts on fish and wildlife assuming 16 wells per square mile over 1/2 of NYS.

I believe an entirely new GEIS needs to be completed by the DEC.  The 1988 Draft and 1992 FGEIS are out of date and no longer relevant.  The new GEIS should include cumulative impacts and the impacts from gas pipelines and greenhouse gas emissions, which were specifically omitted in the scope of work.

Until the DEC has fully addressed these issues to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, I urge the DEC not to process any well permits for drilling in the Marcellus shale.

Sincerely,

Your Name and Address

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a shorter version, focused exclusively on water, can be found at:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/676/t/572/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=393

   Comments must be e-mailed before 5 pm Monday.
 

 

 

 

Firefighters from the Ventura County, California, Fire Department battled for seven days to control a fire in an oil company gas well facility near Fillmore, California., in September 1988. - http://www.firehouse.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The purpose of our efforts and this mailing list is to make sure the place we love isn't turned into a wasteland for the sake of corporate profit.  There's a lot that any one of us can do, even with just a couple of hours a month:  write a letter to the editor of your paper, chip in for advertising costs,  put up posters for the next event, talk to your neighbors, go to your town board meetings, staff a table at community events - whatever you think of, whatever you're good at!   Please watch for future e-mails with notices of meetings, events, and activities in which your participation will help keep our region the beautiful place and community it is.  If you'd like not to receive future e-mails, please reply with both of the following in the subject line: your e-mail address and the word 'remove.'

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