Published: January 30, 2010 12:52 pm      

Village should speak up

Two weeks ago, Congressman Michael Arcuri said what should be obvious to everyone _ our water supply is our most valuable resource.

Arcuri was in Cooperstown for a press conference about natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale formation and its potential impact on the region’s water resources.

The chemicals used in conjunction with hydraulic fracturing methods employed for gas drilling have the potential to permanently contaminate the water supply, he said.

``Gas is a tremendous resource, but we must move forward in a way that protects the water. We must take every precaution to protect our water resources,’’ he said. We couldn’t agree more.

While the Congressman stopped short of calling for an outright ban on drilling, he did express concerns about the DEC’s draft regulations and the agency’s ability to monitor drilling operations.

We share those concerns, particularly when it comes to the Otsego Lake watershed, which provides the drinking water for the village of Cooperstown.

Those same concerns have prompted municipalities to voice strong opposition to drilling. New York City has does not want drilling in its watershed in the Catskills and the City of Syracuse recently asked the DEC to ban all hydrofracking in the Skaneateles Lake watershed that provides drinking water for 200,000 people.

We were happy to see at this month’s board meeting that Deputy Mayor and Water Board Chair Jeff Katz wants to explore how best to respond to the potential threats gas drilling poses to the Otsego Lake watershed and the village’s water supply.

``The guiding principal has to be protecting our water supply,’’ Katz said.

The village of Cooperstown, he said, should be afforded the same level of protection that any other municipality in the state receives.

Katz admitted that any request for a ban on drilling in this watershed may only be a statement of principle, but it needs to be discussed. He plans to address the issue at the next water board meeting. Any recommendation would go to the full board for its approval.

This is a step in the right direction. Cooperstown should not be silent on the issue of gas drilling in its watershed.