Natural Gas Forum in Delaware County

Catskill Mountainkeeper Sponsors Educational Forum on Natural Gas Drilling in the Catskills

Thursday, June 26, 2008
7:00 pm
Walton Theatre, Walton, NY

Catskill Mountainkeeper will host a public educational forum on gas drilling in the Catskills on Thursday, June 26th. The forum will bring together regional and national experts to address the impacts of drilling on the environment, how gas leases should be written to protect the interests of property owners, and what regulations and land use approaches are either in place already, or are possible, in New York. This in-depth panel will be available to answer the questions arising over gas drilling, for land owners, municipals, and concerned community citizens alike. The forum will be held on Thursday, June 26th at 7:00 pm at the Walton Theatre in Walton, NY. For more information and directions contact Catskill Mountainkeeper at 845-482-5400 or visit www.catskillmountainkeeper.org.

The purpose of this educational forum is to cover a wide range of issues and offer case examples. Wes Gillingham, Program Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper feels, "If wells are to be a part of the Catskill environment, the concern is to make sure they are done in the least invasive way." Bruce Baizel, staff attorney from the Oil and gas Accountability Project, will discuss regulatory issues related to gas drilling and he will offer an analysis of New York State Regulatory Structure on natural gas drilling. Peggy Utesch of the Western Colorado Congress and Jill Morrison of the Powder River Basin Resource Council will discuss personal experiences with gas leases and the successful strategies their communities implemented in negotiating with gas companies.

Catskill Mountainkeeper has organized this forum with the goal of helping answer questions residents and municipals have on the efficacy of landowner consortiums, understanding the scope and ramifications of gas leasing, and comprehending the direction to take public policy to mitigate impacts of this type of development. For more information on natural gas drilling, background and information on all the forum panelists, as well as directions to each of the forum locations, visit them online at www.catskillmountainkeeper.org.

THIS FORUM IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SPACING IS LIMITED, SO PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY