WAYMART, PA — Those who wish to attend the January 23 public hearings in Waymart on the new hydraulic fracturing rules proposed by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) must register by January 22. However, on Monday the DRBC announced that it has added two hearings to its schedule and has extended the written comment period from February 28 to March 30. Written comments will be given equal weight with oral comments at the public hearings.

Public Hearing One will be held on January 23 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, Ladore Camp, Retreat and Conference Center, 287 Owego Tpk. Public Hearing Two will be held on the same day from 6 p.m. to as late as 9:30 p.m. at the same location. Members of the public can register for the January 23 hearings at bit.ly/2ApxOB1 (hearing one) or bit.ly/2AgHtsV (hearing two). Registration is not transferable. Those who registered in advance by December 31, 2017 will have an opportunity to speak. Those who registered after that date and those who register on-site may sign up to speak at the hearing if time allows or may be added to a waiting list.

Originally, the DRBC had scheduled only two additional hearings, both on January 25 in Philadelphia. However, it has now scheduled a fifth and sixth hearing, both of which are more convenient to residents of our area. The fifth will be on February 22, from 3 p.m. to as late as 7 p.m. at the Lisa Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Services Center, Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 Education Park Dr., in Schnecksville. Register in advance to attend at bit.ly/2qI1tBC or register onsite. Persons who have registered to attend by 5 p.m., January 26, will be contacted by DRBC prior to the hearing date and provided with an early opportunity to request speaking time. Registrants may also sign up to speak at the hearing and will be heard if time allows. Elected government officials and their staff will have the opportunity to identify themselves when registering.

The sixth hearing will be a moderated public hearing by telephone on March 6 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to listen by calling 866/831-8713 and asking the operator to connect them to the DRBC call. Those wishing to address the commission at this hearing can register for an opportunity to speak at bit.ly/2pdqxQ9.

Available capacity for each hearing will be posted on the web-based registration system. When users access the system, they will see the number of seats still available or if the venue is at capacity. If capacity has been reached for a specific hearing, online registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

Those who do not register to attend a hearing in advance are advised to check the availability of seats before planning travel to a hearing.