Published: September 04, 2008 09:56 am         

Audubon Society calls for moratorium

Staff Report

ONEONTA — The Delaware- Otsego Audubon Society has urged Gov. David Paterson to enact a moratorium on new drilling for natural gas in New York until environmental and health concerns are addressed in a Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement.

In an Aug. 25 letter to Paterson, DOAS President Tom Salo wrote that “with the rapid pace of gas exploration ... major damage could be done to New York’s ground and surface waters, and other natural resources.”

Salo’s letter said, “Without rigorous oversight and strictly enforced regulations, localities may be left with untreated waste lagoons, contaminated groundwater, and polluted streams and other waterways. Overdrawn aquifers and surface waters are also a great concern.” According to Salo, a growing number of environmental organizations, citizens groups and public officials are calling for a moratorium on use of the controversial hydrofracting drilling technique until the GEIS has gone through public review and approval, a process expected to take several months.

``The experiences of other states and regions where this type of drilling has been used should give you and other New Yorkers pause. Without rigorous oversight and strictly enforced regulations, localities may be left with untreated waste lagoons, contaminated groundwater, and polluted streams and other waterways. Overdrawn aquifers and surface waters are also a great concern,’’ he wrote.