Sandwich Seminar at SUNY Cortland to Highlight Concerns about Hydrofracking on Jan. 27

CORTLAND, NY (01/25/2010)(readMedia)-- Two speakers will examine the process of natural gas extraction from shale being proposed for this region of the country at a sandwich seminar titled "What You Should Know about Hydrofracking." The talk will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at SUNY Cortland.

Joseph J. Heath, Esq., general counsel for the Onondaga Nation since 1982, and Jeanne Shenandoah, a citizen of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan, will highlight concerns this process raises for the environment, including water resources required, use of hazardous chemicals, potential well pollution and costs to the community. The talk will be held at 12:30 p.m. in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge and is free and open to the public.

Heath has been an attorney since 1975. For the nation, his work centers on environmental protection, particularly under the Clean Water Act. He has expertise in: Onondaga Lake and Onondaga Creek; archeologic site and unmarked burial site protection; Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) repatriation and litigation; hunting and fishing rights; treaty rights; excise tax issues; and land rights.

He is an active member of Veterans for Peace.

Shenandoah coordinates environmental work for the nation in connection with the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force. She also coordinates the Nation's Communication Office. An experienced midwife, Jeanne has a deep knowledge of native plants and herbs that are used within the traditional Onondaga Nation culture.

The seminar is co-sponsored by Gas Drilling Awareness for Cortland County (GDACC), the College's Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies and the Native American Studies Program.

For more information, contact Professor of Literacy Sheila Cohen, Literacy Department, at (607) 753-2464 or by e-mail to sheila.cohen@cortland.edu.