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

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.

DEC map of the Marcellus Shale Formation in NY

Includes Marcellus Shale, New York City Watershed and Catskill Park

Natural Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale Formation

A background document from the Delaware River Basin Commission


Marcellus Shale and Natural Gas Well Development

Project Review from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission

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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

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Shale Gas Extraction

How Fracturing Works

Engineers design a fracturing operation based on the unique characteristics of the formation and reservoir. Basic components of the fracturing design include the injection pressure, and the types and volumes of materials (e.g., chemicals, fluids, gases, proppants) needed to achieve the desired stimulation of the formation.

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.

Hydraulic Fracturing 101

An introduction to hydaulic fracturing from Earthworks.

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Environmental and Health Risks

Public Health and Toxics

The Oil and Gas Accountability Project 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. OGAP has done extensive reporting on gas drilling in Western states.

Drinking Water at Risk

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

Chemicals used in Natural Gas Development and Delivery

Click on "Chemicals and Natural Gas". 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.

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)


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. See NRDC site for appendices

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.

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Best Management Practices

What the oil and gas industry could do to protect the public.

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 has developed this handbook to help oil and gas operatorswork safely on federal lands.( See the NPS regulations at 36 C.F.R. Part 9 Subpart B, and "§ 9.32) . This file is a 13MB PDF file.
Santa Fe County
This New Mexico county has drafted some of the most progressive gas regulations in the United States.

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Pseudo-Science: The Flawed 2004 EPA Study of Hydraulic Fracturing

Study to Evaluate the Impacts to USDWs by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs
Letter by EPA Whistleblower

EPA Whistleblower Disputes the Validity of the Department's 2004 Report on the Safety of Hydraulic Fracturing

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The Oil and Gas Industry: Exempt From Our Most Important Environmental Laws

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.

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

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Pending Federal Legislation

The FRAC Act (H. R. 7231)

Will make hydraulic fracturing subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act, and require gas companies to disclose the chemicals they use in fracking fluids.

Catskill Citizens calls on Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to co-sponsor The Frac Act

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Pending NYS Legislation

A8784*1

will require gas companies to pay for testing ground water and water wells near where they drill.

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Existing New York State Law

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.

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NYS Legislation We Need to See

In October 200s the Environmental Committee of the NYS Assembly held hearings on proposed new legislation to regulate the oil and gas industry. Here's some of the testimony presented to the Committee:


Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy
Wes Gillingham Catskill Mountainkeeper
Deborah Goldberg Environmental Advocates of New York
Katherine Nadeau Environmental Advocates of New York
Kate Sinding National Resource Defense Council

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New York State Regulations

Under state law, local communities have almost no control over the oil and gas companies. Towns are only allowed to regulate the use of roads and real property tax law.

Preparing for Natural Gas Development: Understanding Impacts and Protecting Public Assets

Sullivan County reports on what Towns can do to prepare for gas drilling.

Final Scope for Draft Supplemental GEIS (Executive Summary)
Cover Letter for Final Scope
New York State Department of Environmental ConservationSEQR Notice
Final Scope for Draft Supplemental Generic IMpact Statement (dSGEIS) on the Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program

Describes the issues that the DEC thinks should be considered when setting regulations for drilling in the Marcellus Shale



Public Testimony and Comments on the Draft Scope

Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
National Resources Defense Council
Jack Dahl, Director, Bureau of Oil and Gas Regulation, Division of Mineral Resources, NYS, DEC
Bruce Ferguson, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy
Caroline Martin, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy
Resolution 283, Tompkins County responds to the Draft Scope


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.

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.


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.

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Gas Leasing

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

From the Chenango County Farm Bureau

Minimum Rules for the Examination and Review of an Oil or Gas Lease

From the Chenango County Farm Bureau

Some Examples of Deceptive Practices or Abuses in Leasing

From the Chenango County Farm Bureau

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Protecting the NYC Watershed

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

New York City Council Briefing Paper

Statement of Dusty Horwitt, JD, Senior Analyst for Public Lands, Environmental Working Group
Oversight Hearing on Natural Gas Drilling in the New York City Watershed, Part II. Before the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection, Friday, December 12, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

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

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The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)

The Delaware River Basin Commission is responsible for regulating water.

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

Delaware River Basin Map

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Catskill Citizens Updates

CCSE News Update (11/15/2008)
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.

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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

Put the Burden of Testing Where it Belongs

Gas companies should pay for water testing.