Forest Service employees raise red flag on drilling

WASHINGTON, DC — Experts in the U.S. Forest Service call oil and gas development “a major threat to our forest lands” due to an array of poorly understood impacts on water and wildlife, according to agency workshop papers released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

On November 12 to 13, 2008, the Forest Service convened a workshop for officials from eastern states to address oil and gas exploration concerns. Workshop materials obtained by PEER under the Freedom of Information Act show its specialists outlining large information gaps, such as subsurface effects of drilling on groundwater, and surface effects ranging from spread of invasive species to habitat fragmentation and the inability of the agency to prevent wildlife from drinking poisoned water in surface pits.

Agency officials were also criticized for their position that no environmental safeguards could be applied to privately held subsurface rights, even in the most sensitive forest tracts. They have received contrary legal advice from the Interior Department and, at the November workshop, from their own lawyers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of General Counsel.

Monticello, Woodridge get housing funds

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has announced that the Monticello, Woodridge, Kingston, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie housing authorities will receive a total of $1.65 million in federal funds from the recently-approved economic recovery bill. The Monticello Housing Authority will receive $193,712 and Woodridge will receive $81,855.

The funding will allow local housing agencies to address long-standing improvement needs to public housing units. It will also help to create jobs in the area and increase energy efficiency in public housing units. It can also be used to make large-scale improvements such as new roofs, and for the replacement of plumbing and electrical systems to more energy efficient standards.

Open houses on transmission line held

HAWLEY, PA — PPL has scheduled four open houses on its proposed Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line for April.

There is no set agenda for these meetings and there will be no formal presentations. The open house in Hawley is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the PPL Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center on Route 6. Other open houses will be on Monday, April 14 at the Newton Ransom Fire Hall in Clarks Summit; Wednesday, April 15 at the Black Diamond Post 395 of the American Legion in Kingston; and on Thursday, April 15 at the Fernwood Hotel and Resort in Bushkill, PA.

For more information visit www.pplreliablepower.com or call 800/291-5403.

Funding available for local food events

WALTON, NY — The Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) is soliciting proposals from farmers, business owners, local agencies, individual consultants and community organizers who coordinate and host events that raise awareness and appreciation for local agriculture. The WAC, through its Pure Catskills Buy Local campaign, will be providing sponsorship awards of up to $3,000 per event, with a total of $50,000 available for the region, which includes Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties.

Examples of eligible events would be those that incorporate local food elements into traditional community events or educate the public on local food production. Events must take place between May 1 and December 31. A minimum of three Pure Catskills Buy Local Campaign members must participate in each event.

Membership for Pure Catskills costs $25. Those enrolling by April 15 will receive a listing in the Farm Fresh Guide, due out in May.

For more information email ccomer@nycwatershed.org or call 607/865-7090, ext. 217.

Applications for Ag District open

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — An amendment to the Ag District Law passed four years ago allows counties to create a 30-day window to allow parcels to enter existing Ag Districts. Prior to this land could only be added once every eight years. Sullivan County has chosen the period of April 1 to April 30 to review parcels for inclusion in the Ag Districts.

Among the protections afforded to land in an Ag District are right to farm protections, eminent domain protection and protection from undue local regulations.

To apply for inclusion in the Ag District, send a letter stating the number of acres you wish to include in the Ag District along with SBL number, a copy of the tax map boundaries, and a description of the type and extent of agriculture that is occurring on the property to Cornell Cooperative Extension, 64 Ferndale-Loomis Rd., Liberty, NY 12754. Applications will be reviewed by the Ag and Farmland Protection Board and referred to the county legislature for action following a public hearing.

For more information call 845/292-6180.

Man arrested on heroin charges

WURTSBORO, NY — Matthew Rogan, 49, of Wurtsboro, was arrested on Friday, April 3 by Sullivan County Sheriff’s deputies. The arrest, which followed a three-month investigation, was on two felony drug charges, alleging that Rogan had been selling heroin out of his house at 20 Lincoln Road. One hundred decks of heroin were sniffed out under a pile of dirty laundry at the house by a K-9 dog.

The sheriff’s department says an investigation is ongoing.