Greetings, With just one day left in the public comment period for the Marcellus Shale draft SGEIS, Region 2 of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has requested DEC to make major, fundamental revisions to its proposal. I believe this will make it extraordinarily difficult for DEC to adopt a final version of its draft in the near future. WOW, THANK YOU REGION 2 ADMINISTRATOR, JUDITH ENCK! EPA made some sweeping suggestions: "While protecting the New York City watershed is important because of the millions of New Yorkers who rely on this drinking water supply, we also have concerns about water quality impacts throughout the state. Just because fewer people rely on upstate water sources does not imply that these supplies are not also worthy of protection." "In conclusion, EPA believes that NYSDEC has prepared an informative dSGEIS on hydrologic fracturing of the Marcellus Shale. However, we have concerns regarding potential impacts to human health and the environment that we believe warrant further scientific and regulatory analysis. Of particular concern to EPA are issues involving water supply, water quality, wastewater treatment operations, local and regional air quality, management of naturally occurring radioactive materials disturbed during drilling, cumulative environmental impacts, and the New York City watershed. EPA recommends that these concerns be addressed and essential environmental protection measures established prior to the completion of the SEQRA process (emphasis added). Governor Paterson now faces tremendous pressure to withdraw the draft as nearly 9,000 signatories to our coalition letter have requested. THIS IS THE MOMENT OF TRUTH. WE NEED A REALLY BIG FINISH. ONE DAY TO GO. Call, email or FAX Governor Paterson ASAP to request that he withdraw the draft SGEIS. [email protected] Please bcc: [email protected] so we can maintain a record of all contacts. 518-474-8390 (o) 518-474-1513 (Fax) Contact Judith Enck, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Administrator, to thank her for safeguarding New York's environment and public health. [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) Phone 212 637 5000 Finally, keep beating the bushes for signatories. We are nearly to 9,000. We need to cross the 10,000 threshold. Happy New Year. Walter Hang We have continued to receive extensive press coverage: http://www.9wsyr.com/mediacenter/[email protected]&; navCatId=5 http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2009/12/almost_10000_people_submit_co m.html Drilling Issue Started Quietly in Tompkins, Then Went Out Loud http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912280336 http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20091223/NEWS01/912230373/New+York+C ity+says+Catskill+gas+drilling+risks+are+too+great See http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/09-15pr.shtml See NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/science/earth/24drill.html?ref=nyregion
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