New York Water Rangers Commend Gov Cuomo & DEC for Taking Steps to Slow Rush to Drill

ALBANY, NY (10/26/2011)(readMedia)-- In response to reports yesterday that New York State Department of Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens does not expect the state to be prepared to issue permits for industrial gas drilling by means of horizontal high volume hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," in the next several months, the New York Water Rangers released the following statement:

"Based on Commissioner Martens' remarks yesterday, Governor Cuomo and the state are sending a message to New Yorkers--your concerns about fracking are being heard. New York is showing a willingness to slow the rush to drill so the impacts of fracking can be fully considered.

Given the Commissioner's acknowledgment that more time is needed to collect data, the New York Water Rangers continue to call on the agency to extend the public comment period on the state's fracking review by 90 days and to wait until the review process is complete before advancing draft regulations.

The New York Water Rangers commend Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Martens for recognizing the need to better assess the true costs of fracking at the state and local level.

Recent polls, including a statewide Quinnipiac poll released in September and a poll of Sullivan and Delaware County voters released last week, show that people in proposed drilling areas are growing ever more concerned about the environmental and public health impacts of fracking. The September poll found 54 percent of upstate voters concerned about fracking. Last week's poll found nearly seven out of 10 residents oppose fracking in their communities.

-30-

The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, FLEASED, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000 and Riverkeeper. Visit www.CleanWaterNotDirtyDrilling.org to learn more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Wes Gillingham, Program Director, 845-482-5400, wes@catskillmountainkeeper.org

Erica Ringewald, 518-210-9903; eringewald@eany.org

Nadia Steinzor, 315-677-4111; nsteinzor@earthworksaction.org

Tina Posterli, 914-478-4501x 239; tposterli@riverkeeper.org

Nicole Dillingham, 917 434 7241; nicoledillingham@me.com