The following links are provided to help our comminuty learn more about the potential effects of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

Overview

Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale Formation

A background document from the Delaware River Basin Commission


How a gas well is drilled down into the ground, and what can go wrong

The purpose of this “slide show” is to illustrate how a gas (or oil) well is drilled down into the ground.


DEC map of the Marcellus Shale Formation in NY

Includes Marcellus Shale, New York City Watershed and Catskill Park

Observations Concerning the Role of Local Government in Relation to Natural Gas Exploration and Production in the Marcellus Shale in the Southern Tier East Region of New York State

This technical paper has been prepared by the Southern Tier East Regional Planning Development Board to assist local governments within its region in responding to recent activity concerning natural gas exploration on the Marcellus Shale which underlies large portions of the Southern Tier East Region of New York State.

The Marcellus Shale

The Marcellus Shale - America's next super giant

Catskill MountainKeeper reports on the Marcellus Shale

Geology News Earth Science Current Events

Geology.com articles on the Marcellus Shale


Shale Gas: Focus on The Marcellus Shale

This report focuses on the Marcellus shale, located in the Appalachian region of the U.S. Interest and exploratory drilling in the Marcellus shale is on the rise. This report was created to highlight some of the potential issues that may be important to consider if full-scale.

Environmental and Health Risks

Letter by EPA Whistleblower

EPA Whistleblower Disputes the Validity of the Department's 2005 Report on the Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

Oil and Gas Accountability Project

OGAP is the only organization in the United States with the sole mission of working with rural communities to protect their homes and the environment from the devastating impacts of oil and gas development.

Drinking Water at Risk

What EPA and the Oil And Gas Industry Don't Want Us to Know About Hydraulic Fracturing

Colorado's Chemical Injection

Oil and gas companies in Colorado are injecting wells with millions of gallons of unknown fluids that contain dozens of dangerous chemicals linked to respiratory, neurological, cardiovascular, immune, and other disorders, including cancer.

Potential Exposure-Related Human Health Effects of Oil and Gas Development: A White Paper
Potential Exposure-Related Human Health Effects of Oil and Gas Development: A Literature Review (2003-2008)
See NRDC site for appendices

In September, 2008, experts at the University of Colorado School of Public Health's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health completed a review of hundreds of published, peer-reviewed scientific articles to examine what is known concerning the health effects of oil and gas drilling and production on neighboring communities. They also reviewed available empirical data regarding communities in western Colorado. They found that the many hazardous chemicals being used and produced pose a potential health risk for local residents, and recommend a thorough health impact assessment before future expansion of oil and gas activities. Their findings are detailed in these two papers.

TEDX - The Endocrine Disruption Exchange

Click on Chemicals used in Natural Gas Development and Delivery. This project was designed to explore the health effects of the products and chemicals used in drilling, fracturing (frac'ing, or stimulation), recovery and delivery of natural gas. It provides a glimpse at the pattern(s) of possible health hazards for those living in proximity to gas development.

Protecting the NYC Watershed

Oversight: Natural Gas Drilling in the New York City Drinking Water Watershed

New York City Council Briefing Paper

CCSE Testimony on the New York City Watershed

Testimony Before the Environmental Committee of the New York City Council 9/10/2008

Oil & Gas Accountability Project Testimony on the New York City Watershed

Testimony Before the Environmental Committee of the New York City Council 9/10/2008

Legislation

H. R. 7231

To repeal the exemption for hydraulic fracturing in the Safe Drinking Water Act, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] Co-Sponsors: Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22], Rep Salazar, John T. [CO-3]

Catskill Citizens Updates

CCSE News Update (10/11/2008)

News from Albany and suggested legislation.

CCSE News Update (9/27/2008)

New York City Council holds hearings on gas drilling within the city watershed.

CCSE News Update (8/23/2008)

A Report on the Meeting with NYS DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner Stuart Gruskin

Where are the Gas Companies? (7/24/2008)

When landsman and gas companies began snapping up leases in our area last fall, virtually none of us had ever heard of the Marcellus Shale or hydraulic fracturing. None of us could imagine that in just a few years our quiet part of the country might become a scene of intense industrial activity.

Stealth Politics and Some Progress (7/1/2008)

The gas well spacing bill referred to as A10526/S8169 was passed by the State legislature and signed into law by Governor Paterson.

Where We Are... What We Can Do (6/15/2008)

Many of us wish gas drilling would just go away. So much of what we value seems threatened by the intensive industrial development that gas extraction will bring.

Federal Regulations/Hearings

The Oil and Gas Industry’s Exclusions and Exemptions to Major Environmental Statutes

The oil and gas industry enjoys sweeping exemptions from provisions in the major federal environmental statutes intended to protect human health and the environment.

Hearing on Oil and Gas Exemptions in Federal Environmental Protections (Hearing Summary)

On Wednesday, October 31, 2007, the Committee held an oversight hearing on the applicability of federal environmental and health requirements to onshore oil and gas development.

Theo Colburn's testimony at Hearing on Oil and Gas Exemptions in Federal Environmental Protections

New York State Regulations

DEC Draft SGEIS Executive Summary
Full DEC Draft SGEIS document

Draft Scope for Draft Supplemental Generuc Environmental Impact Statement (dSGEIS) on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program Well Permit Issuance for Horizontal Drilling and High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing to Develop the Marcellus Shale and Other Lowpermeability Gas Reservoirs

DEC Environmental Conservation Law

The body of law that established DEC and authorizes its programs is called Environmental Conservation Law, often abbreviated to ECL. The full text of New York’s ECL is found on the New York State Legislative Information System.

Well spacing and compulsory integration

Well spacing in new fields and compulsory integration in New York are governed by Titles 5 and 7, respectively, of the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Law. These titles were significantly amended on August 2, 2005.

New York State Assembly Bill A10526

Makes amendments to the calculations of statewide spacing requirements for oil and gas wells.

Generic Environmental Impact Statement on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program

The 1992 document that considers the environmental impact of gas extraction in New York State Well Spacing and Compulsory Integration The law that allows gas companies to take your gas even if you oppose drilling.

SEQR - Environmental Impact Assessment in New York State

SEQR requires the sponsoring or approving governmental body to identify and mitigate the significant environmental impacts of the activity it is proposing or permitting.

Local Regulations

Highway Work Permit in the town of New Berlin

New regulations control many of the impacts of drilling, including seismic testing, use of dangerous elements, noise and odor.

The Delaware River Basin Commission

DRBC's Regulatory Implications of Natural Gas Exploration/Production in the Marcellus Shale Formation in the Delaware River Basin

Presentation by William J. Muszynski P.E. & Gregory J. Cavallo P.G., July 16, 2008

Opinion

Letter to the Alexander Grannis

A concerned citizen write to Alexander Grannis, Commissioner NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

Letter to the Editor

A concerned citizen comments on NY's environmental safety record.

A Geologist Weighs In

Geologist David Hutchison comments on drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

A Summer View of Drilling

Greening Sullivan, No. 74 by Dick Riseling

Economic Impact Report

Preliminary Research on the Economic Impact of Gas Drilling in the Catskills

Maps

DEC map of the Marcellus Shale

NEPA Gas Exploration & Central NY Wells

Central NY Wells

NE PA Gas Exploration & Pipelines

Delaware River Basin Map

Delaware River Basin Flow Corrections

DEC map of the Marcellus Shale

Best Practices

The Oil and Gas Accountability Project Best Practises
Includes alternatives for use during the drilling and completion phase as well as suggestions for minimizing impact during production phase.


Operators Handbook for Nonfederal Oil and Gas Development in Units of the National Park System
The National Park Service (NPS) has developed this handbook to help existing and prospective nonfederal oil and gas operators in units of the National Park System to:

• understand and follow the NPS regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 9 Subpart B, and
• prepare a "plan of operations" or “§ 9.32(e) application” to conduct oil and gas operations.
This file is a 13MB PDF file.

Leasing Issues

Attorney General Cuomo Cautions Comsumers About the Potential Pitfalls of Oil & Gas Leases

Thinking of Signing a Gas Lease?

Six Tricks of Landsmen & Gas Company Reps

What Some Landmen Say and What the Real Answer Is
Minimum Rules for the Examination and Review of an Oil or Gas Lease
Some Examples of Deceptive Practices or Abuses in Leasing

Chenango County Farm Bureau Recommendations