DEC Extends Public Comment Period for Marcellus Shale Draft SGEIS

News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Yancey Roy, 518-402-8000

ALBANY, NY (11/04/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced it has extended the public comment period on the draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) governing potential natural gas drilling activities in the Marcellus Shale formation from Nov. 30 to Dec. 31.

The SGEIS addresses the range of potential impacts of shale gas development using horizontal drilling and high-volume hydraulic fracturing and outlines safety measures, protection standards and mitigation strategies that operators would have to follow to obtain permits. The full draft SGEIS (www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58440.html) is available on DEC's web site, along with highlights of the document (www.dec.ny.gov/press/58472.html). Printed copies are available for review at DEC regional offices and most sub-offices and libraries that traditionally have served as repositories. A list of repositories (www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58672.html) can be found on DEC's web site.

DEC is offering four ways in which to submit comments. Comments may be provided at one of the scheduled public hearings (www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58705.html). There is an online submission system (www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/SGEISComments/) which will allow interested parties to write comments and tag them to specific areas of concern. Attachments can also be included. E-mail comments may be submitted to dmnsgeis@gw.dec.state.ny.us; please include your name, e-mail or return mail address to ensure notice of the Final SGEIS when it is available. Finally, written comments should be sent to: Attn: dSGEIS Comments, Bureau of Oil & Gas Regulation, NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources, 625 Broadway, Third Floor, Albany, NY 12233-6500.

*** Note: DEC also has moved up the start time of the hearing in New York City on November 10. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for individual questions and speaker sign-up. DEC staff will be available at this time to answer individual questions about the format and contents of the draft SGEIS. The public comment session will begin at 6:30 p.m.

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