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Drilling Isn't Safe
(Billboard currently on Route 17)
DRILLING ISN’T SAFE
The New York State DEC is currently on track to start issuing permits for gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in 2011. Fracking is a highly invasive process to extract natural gas from deep within the earth that pumps tens of thousands of gallons of chemically laden water into the ground at each well-site. Many of the over 350 chemicals, such as benzene, are toxic and between 25 to 75 percent of these toxic, non-biodegradable chemicals stay in our landscape forever.
Natural gas development is largely exempt from federal environmental laws, including the Safe Water Drinking Act. There is a significant body of scientific data and documented cases that clearly establish that wherever fracking occurs there is substantial risk of contamination of drinking water, fouling of the air and resulting severe illness to people and animals.
The gas companies have spent millions in marketing campaigns to portray gas as the clean alternative to oil, but fracking comes with big risks especially if there aren’t appropriate provisions for monitoring, regulation and penalties. We believe that once you are better informed about the perils of natural gas extraction, and the long-term effects to our water, land, health and food supply you will join us in demanding that New York State government officials carefully and comprehensively address what is needed to protect the health of all New Yorkers. Until that is done, DRILLING ISN’T SAFE and no permits should be issued. It is our responsibility as citizens to hold our state officials accountable on this matter.
To learn more about drilling using fracking and what you can do, please click on the links below:
GAS DRILLING IN THE CATSKILLS – A GENERAL OVERVIEW (link)
GAS DRILLING ACCIDENTS (link)
THE TRUTH ABOUT GAS DRILLING AND YOUR HEALTH (link)
THE DANGER OF FRACKING TO OUR FOOD SUPPLY (link)
NEW YORK STATE HAS NO PLAN FOR HANDLING RADIOACTIVE WASTE FROM DRILLING SITES (link)
RESEARCHER UNCOVERS 270 REPORTED ACCIDENTS RELATING TO GAS DRILLING IN NEW YORK STATE SINCE 1979 (link)
GAS DRILLING ARCHIVE (link)
MOUNTAINKEEPER ONLINE ACTION ALERT ARCHIVES (link)
WHAT YOU CAN DO (link)
This fight has been long and costly but we are making a difference. Please contribute to Catskill Mountainkeeper by clicking on the “Donate Now” button below.
