Natural Gas Forum in Sullivan County

Catskill Mountainkeeper and Sullivan County Planning Department
Co-Sponsor Educational Forum on Natural Gas Drilling in the Catskills
Friday, June 27, 2008
7:00 pm
CVI Building, Liberty, NY

Catskill Mountainkeeper and the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management will join forces to host a public educational forum on gas drilling in the Catskills on Friday, June 27th. 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 Friday, June 27th at 7:00 pm at the CVI Building in Liberty, 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. Robert Wedlake, partner in the law firm of Hinman, Howard and Kattell, LLP, from Binghamton, New York will discuss key things to know when considering a gas lease, including technical terms, pitfalls to leases and implications on agricultural easements, and more. And Dr. William Pammer, Planning Commissioner for the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management in Monticello, New York, will discuss the status of municipal regulation of gas drilling and the current direction some municipalities are taking to slow down the pace of solicitation by gas companies in preparation for drilling.

Dr. Pammer and Catskill Mountainkeeper have 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. Catskill Mountainkeeper is a member based advocacy organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the long term health of the six counties of the Catskill Region. They strive to be the eyes, ears and voice that look at issues, listen to concerns, and speak on behalf of people who live, work, and recreate in the Catskill region. 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