New Dept. of Environmental Conservation Natural Gas Drilling Plan Provides No Protections for Drinking Water

ALBANY, NY (04/23/2010)(readMedia)-- In response to a recent announcement by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis that applications for natural gas drilling permits involving high-volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling ("fracking") within two protected watersheds will be subject to individual environmental impact assessments, Environmental Advocates of New York's Water & Natural Resources Program Director, Katherine Nadeau, issued the following response:

"The Department of Environmental Conservation has gotten the message that unfiltered drinking water supplies are not to be trifled with. Natural gas drilling near New York City's and Syracuse's drinking water will put those communities at risk and should not be allowed at all.

However the process that the Department posed today will not prohibit drilling in those watersheds and does nothing to further protections statewide.

Environmental Advocates of New York, concerned citizens, and environmental and public health groups statewide will continue to call for the highest standards and best protections for all waters statewide. We will fight to make sure that the State Legislature enacts strong laws and that regulations are on the books before any drilling is allowed in New York."

In today's announcement, the Department of Environmental Conservation stated that each application to drill using high volume hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling would require individual environmental reviews if the applicant proposes to drill in the New York City or Skaneateles watersheds (the Skaneateles watershed provides unfiltered drinking water for the city of Syracuse).

While recognizing the importance of unfiltered drinking water is critical, an individual environmental impact statement will not necessarily provide increased protections.

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Environmental Advocates of New York's mission is to protect our air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. We work to support and strengthen the efforts of New York's environmental community and to make our state a national leader. The tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization is also the New York affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation.