Statement from the New York Water Rangers on a Fracking Health Study

ALBANY, NY (11/16/2012)(readMedia)-- "The New York Water Rangers welcome the announcement of three highly reputable public health professionals, John Adgate, Lynn Goldman, and Richard Jackson, who have been selected to undertake the critically important task of reviewing the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) previously completed analysis of health issues in its fracking environmental review.

The Governor's process does not fulfill our request for a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment. Additionally, it remains unclear what specifically these experts have been tasked with doing. It appears this may be a desk top review of the DEC analysis, rather than the exhaustive study – the kind of study for which these experts are known – necessary to understand the extensive public health impacts of drilling.

The New York Water Rangers encourage the administration to give these experts unfettered access to information, data, and background information, as well as access to public health professionals from local communities across the state and reports from gas-producing regions, to help complete this work in a credible and comprehensive manner.

Governor Cuomo must empower these experts to conduct the health review they conclude is necessary and ensure that the public is fully involved before any decision can be made about whether New York should allow fracking to move forward in New York.

The New York Water Rangers will continue to advocate that the state undertake a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment rather than a health review undertaken by the DEC."

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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.