April, 23 2010, 02:34pm EDT
Riverkeeper Commends State Decision to Exclude New York City Watershed From Gas Drilling
Riverkeeper
applauds New York State's decision to protect the New York City
Watershed from the threat of industrial gas drilling. Given the
numerous environmental impacts associated with horizontal drilling and
high-volume hydraulic fracturing, Riverkeeper and other environmental
organizations and elected officials urged the state to prohibit this
type of drilling within the unfiltered drinking water supply for half
the state's population.
"DEC's
decision to essentially take the Watershed off the table was the right
move, and we appreciate the agency's
decision to essentially take the Watershed off the table was the right
move, and we appreciate the agency's
TARRYTOWN, NY
Riverkeeper
applauds New York State's decision to protect the New York City
Watershed from the threat of industrial gas drilling. Given the
numerous environmental impacts associated with horizontal drilling and
high-volume hydraulic fracturing, Riverkeeper and other environmental
organizations and elected officials urged the state to prohibit this
type of drilling within the unfiltered drinking water supply for half
the state's population.
"DEC's
decision to essentially take the Watershed off the table was the right
move, and we appreciate the agency's continuing commitment to safeguard
water resources throughout the state," said Riverkeeper President Alex
Matthiessen.
decision to essentially take the Watershed off the table was the right
move, and we appreciate the agency's continuing commitment to safeguard
water resources throughout the state," said Riverkeeper President Alex
Matthiessen.
While
DEC's recent decision does not permanently ban drilling in the
Watershed, potential applications to drill will require separate,
site-specific environmental reviews, a costly and time-consuming
process that is likely to discourage gas companies from drilling there.
DEC's recent decision does not permanently ban drilling in the
Watershed, potential applications to drill will require separate,
site-specific environmental reviews, a costly and time-consuming
process that is likely to discourage gas companies from drilling there.
Riverkeeper will continue to press
DEC to require the most stringent gas development regulations
throughout the state, including measures to protect critical water
supply infrastructure that lies outside the Watershed boundaries.
Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law.
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