The proposed HVHF regulations have no protections for state parks. Zero. Nada. The proposed regs. have some protections for state lands, which the DEC administers. But not for state parks, which the DEC does not administer. The Parks Dept does. Clever eh ? This is because the frackers want to be able to drill in state parks, and the frackers wrote the draft regulations - which are silent on state parks. They did everything but sign Commissioner Martens name to the document. The fact that state parks are not protected from fracking has not escaped notice.
http://www.nofrackingway.us/2013/01/07/no-fracking-state-parks/
Written Comments can be accepted thru April 11, 2013
Subject: DEC hearing March 11th on managing state forests in Cortland and Onondaga Co
DEC web-site: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/
Section 23-1101 of the Environmental Conservation Law and State Finance Law authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to make leases on behalf of the State for exploration, production and development of oil and gas on State lands. Proposals to lease parcels of NYS DEC administered State lands for this purpose will be considered following public notice in the Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), and in local newspapers. As of the writing of this plan, the Revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program and the proposed regulations for high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) are under review, but not yet finalized. When finalized, the new regulations will be followed on this and other State Forests.
By MARK FERDINAND
TRUXTON — A state meeting Monday to accept comment on plans for uses of state forest land in much of Cortland County and nearby counties drew more than 100 people, many of them concerned about the possibility of the natural gas drilling on the land.The plans cover Hill and Hollow area and Taylor Valley area, which are composed of seven state forests and 17,613 acres.
Senior Forester Henry Dedrick explained the highlights for Taylor Valley’s UMP. Dedrick addressed what most had come to hear about when he said that there were currently no leases on either unit for mineral exploration or gas drilling, though the DEC has not made any prohibitions.
“Oil and natural gas are valuable resources which can provide energy and revenue, as well as the opportunity for improvements to the existing infrastructure of these areas and creation of open space to enhance habitat diversity,” Dedrick read from the draft UMP.
The plan notes that (oil and gas) installations that could potentially have a long-term effect on a state forest, hydraulic fracturing tools like well pads, pipelines or roads built for that purpose, would be difficult to implement under the UMP.
“Pipeline development on state land will not be permitted if the department determines that it creates a significant long-term conflict with any management activities or public use of the state forests, or with other management objectives in this plan,” it reads.
Cortland County Legislator Kathie Arnold (D-Truxton, Cuyler and Solon) praised the plan for its expansion of recreational trail use, hunting, fishing and trapping, but also warned the overwhelmingly anti-fracking crowd that the DEC is keeping its options open, and that the possibility exists, with the restriction of one well per 300 acres, that up to 78 wells could be drilled throughout these state forests.
“That’s a lot of clear cutting and a lot of single-use roads, and it’s totally incompatible with all the other uses and goals of these UMPs,” Arnold said to applause.
Robert Messenger, chief of the DEC’s Bureau of State Land Management, spoke briefly on an internal disagreement between the Division of Lands and Forestry and the DEC at large. “If we had our way, there would be no drilling, but that’s not the official position of the DEC,” said Messenger, who came to the hearing from Albany.
One public speaker, Priscilla Young, said she had been with a group that toured hydraulic fracturing sites in Pennsylvania and said they were “extraordinarily loud.” There were over 30 speakers in all, most of whom denounced the industry.
Young said the forests around Cuyler and Truxton would be prime candidates for drilling operations since the Marcellus Shale is shallow there and the gas is close to the surface. She also said if the land is leased to drilling companies, people who own property that border leased public land would be forced to comply with a “compulsory integration” law. “You may have your lands hydro-fracked against your will,” she said.
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