The Latest News and Information
Click here for a detailed look at natural gas drilling
Catskill Watershed and Open Space Threatened by Gas Drilling
Toxic gas may taint city's water, Read the August 6, 2008 Albany Times Union article here
Does Natural-Gas Drilling Endanger Water Supplies?
Read the November 11, 2008 Business Week article here
Mountainkeeper asks Governor for moratorium on drilling
Morning Edition: Official Addresses Environmental Concern Over Drilling
All Things Considered: State Official Responds to WNYC/ProPublica Investigation
Albany Times-Union: Upstate New York's looming natural gas nightmare
State Eases Natural Gas Drilling Rules
Catskill Mountainkeeper appears on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
Read Peter Applebome's two part series about Mountainkeeper's Gas Drilling Forums
Part 1: June 29, 2008, "Gas Drillers in Race for Hearts and Land."
Part 2: July 3, 2008, "A Land Rush is Likely, so a Lawyer Gets Ready."
The River Reporter, July 10 - July 16, 2008
STICKING TOGETHER BY WES GILLINGHAM
There are two phrases that I hear a lot these days. The first is "it's coming, so get used to it." The second is "and there is nothing you can do about it." To the first point I ask, what exactly is it that is coming that you need to get used to? To the second point: there is actually something you can do about it.
Catskill Mountainkeeper recently co-sponsored with the Sullivan County Planning Department a forum on natural gas drilling that included experts and community organizers from Wyoming and Colorado who shared the experience their communities had in dealing with natural gas development in their region. Jill Morrison, from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming, said, "Our community is a poster child for how not to do it." The message was loud and clear. If the gas companies are coming, your communities need to join together and get out in front of the issue from the beginning. The entire impact of the gas development needs to be considered including its impacts on water, county roads, crime emergency services and taxes.... continued
NYRI Filing Ruled Complete but Mountainkeeper Continues the Fight
Local officials and resident groups plan to fight New York Regional Interconnect's application to build a 1,200-megawatt power line that would pass through numerous Catskill communities.
The company's application was recently deemed complete by the state Public Service Commission after having been sent back for revisions three previous times since 2006. NYRI officials say the line would result in financial benefits to host communities.
The commission hopes to complete its review by August 2009. If approved, the line could be completed in 2013, a NYRI spokesman has said.
Now officials and various groups are mapping out how they plan to fight the proposal and what they will bring to the state's attention at upcoming public hearings. A public hearing is set for Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Utica and another will take place Oct. 21 in Oneonta.
Please join Mountainkeeper to keep updated on this issue.
Mountainkeeper leads Trek from Mountaintop to Tap
This past summer Wes Gillingham, Program Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, led twelve students along a three week trek from the Catskill Mountains to New York City. The students traveled the same path their drinking water did so they could tell their fellow New Yorkers about the journey their water takes. There were six students from an upsate school and six students from a school in Brooklyn whose mission was to educate the public about the source of their drinking water.
The students hiked, canoed and boated their way through the Catskill Mountains along the Hudson River and into Central Park. Along the way, the students assessed the quality of the water in streams, rivers, and reservoirs, talked to public officials and hosted press conferences to share with the public, from the trenches, what they learned.
Click Here to View the Trek Video
Click Here to View Other Mountainkeeper Videos
Our Mission
To protect the ecological integrity of the Catskill Mountain Region and the quality of life of all those who live here. Through a network of concerned citizens, we work to promote sustainable economic growth and the protection of natural resources essential to healthy communities.
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Our office is located on Route 52 in Youngsville, NY.
The mailing address is:
Catskill Mountainkeeper
P.O. Box 381
Youngsville, NY 12791
845.482.5400
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info@catskillmountainkeeper.org
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Other News and Information
> Everything you wanted to know about bluestone in the Catskills: here
> Find out about invasive species and how to protect our streams and rivers
> USS Catskill a 1335-ton warship that fought extensively in the Civil War
> Did the DEC release big flies to eat the caterpillars? NO. find out here
> Forests of the Catskills: an overview here
> About 13,000 acres of New York City's 124,000 acres of land in the Catskill Mountain region is now open for hiking, hunting, fishing and trapping without a city permit under an agreement between city and state conservation officials. Click here for maps to find out where
Check out our videos on the Environmental Countdown Video Portal
Working Together to Protect the Catskills
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"Living in the scenic Catskill Mountains allows us to enjoy the outdoors in so may ways. As hunters, fishermen, farmers, sport enthusiasts, business owners and residents we are concerned about and responsible for preserving the Catskills for future generations."
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