New York DEC gas meetings scheduled

Draft scoping document released

By FRITZ MAYER

ALBANY, NY — A draft scoping document, which will determine the subjects to be covered in the upcoming hearing regarding gas drilling in New York State, was released on October 7. According to Yancey Roy, a spokesman for the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), this is a “first step in analyzing the potential environmental impacts of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (fracking) of horizontal wells” of the sort that will be used to tap gas reserves in the Marcellus Shale.

The document, which is formally called a Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS), will not cover impacts from traditional vertical and horizontal gas wells, which are covered by the Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) passed in 1992.

The DSGEIS, a 42-page document that can be accessed at www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/draftscope.pdf, specifically addresses impacts on water quality, and impacts on sensitive areas such as agricultural districts and drinking water watersheds. Socioeconomic impacts and impacts on endangered species and cultural resources are also among the areas to be addressed.

The DSGEIS focuses on fracking fluids. It says that the DEC has collected information from companies that provide this fluid and the information will be reviewed during hearings. There will also be an “assessment of whether steel tanks should be required in some or all areas” to contain flowback fluids from high volume fracking operations.

The DSGEIS also focuses quite a bit of attention on the impact of high-volume water withdrawal by gas drilling operations and whether these operations could potentially denigrate specific streams and waterways.

Another area of importance is the spacing of horizontal wells, which will likely be quite different from the spacing regulations regarding traditional vertical wells and shallow horizontal wells, which allow for one well per 40-acre spacing unit.

The DSGEIS also said that noise and visual impacts will be covered, as well as impacts specific to the Delaware and Susquehanna River Basins and the Delaware River Watershed.

Tentative public meetings regarding the DSGEIS are scheduled for November and December.

Following the public meetings, the DEC will review the comments and produce the final scope, which will outline the factors that must be included in the Supplement to the GEIS. DEC hopes to complete a draft Supplemental GEIS by next spring, a process that also will provide opportunities for public input.

Schedule of hearings and comment information

Allegany (Cattaraugus County), Nov. 6.

Bath (Steuben County), Nov. 12.

Elmira (Chemung County), Nov. 13.

Binghamton (Broome County), Nov. 17.

Oneonta (Otsego County), Dec. 2.

Sullivan County Community College, Loch Sheldrake (Sullivan County), Dec. 4.

Written comments may also be submitted to:

Attention Scope Comments, Bureau of Oil & Gas Regulation, NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources, 625 Broadway, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12233-6500; or emailed to: dmnog@gw.dec.state.ny.us with “Scope Comments” in the subject field.