Environmental study ordered

TRR photo by Fritz Mayer Dr. William Pammer points out a parcel in Tusten that has been leased to a gas company on a map being created that will reflect all gas leases in Sullivan County.

NY counties, towns, groups may provide input

By FRITZ MAYER

NEW YORK STATE—On the gas front, there’s good news for drilling supporters and environmentalists.

On July 23, New York Governor David Patterson signed a law that “streamlined” the process for gas companies to acquire drilling permits. At the same time, he ordered the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to study the impacts of deep horizontal drilling and the large volumes of fracking fluids used in the gas extraction techniques for recovering gas from the Marcellus Shale plate that stretches from West Virginia to the Southern Tier of New York.

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Gas drilling in paradise

ELDRED, NY — The Eldred Preserve is known for luring visitors to the area to catch fish from the stocked ponds, such as this one, that are located on the facility. But soon the preserve may also become known for hosting gas wells that will seek to tap into the Marcellus Shale. According to a lease filed in the Sullivan County clerk’s office, the Eldred Preserve has signed an agreement with a gas company to allow for the extraction of gas. A spokesman for the preserve did not return a call seeking comment.

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Not knotweed!

Educating public about invasive species

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA—Chop it, burn it, dig it, douse it with chemicals and you still might not eradicate one of the Upper Delaware region’s most prolific invasive species—Japanese knotweed. Three agencies joined forces last week in presenting a detailed program devoted to the history, impacts and management of such invasive species impacting the region.

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Other stories in this issue:

• Bethel meeting focuses on local laws
• Contaminated well in Cochecton
• DEP files brief in gas case
• Environmental groups respond to Paterson, DEC
• Local ethanol plant advances
• No time to waste: Highland takes gas to task
• Gas issue bubbling up in NYC?
• Tourism economy healthy

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S