Gas Drilling – At What Price?
From the Walton Reporter (no website), December 30, 2009.
(The following letter was sent to Colchester Supervisor Robert Homovich, the letter writer has informed The Walton Reporter and asked that it be printed here.)
Dear Mr. Homovich,
I am due to inherit land in Colchester, not far from Shinhopple, and I am deeply upset that you would permit the dangerous practice of hydrofracking in this valley. Horizontal drilling will introduce a mixture of toxic chemicals into billions of gallons of clean water, which must be sucked out of the Delaware River. It is a fairytale to think that none of these carcinogenic fluids will end up in our water supplies – killing fish, killing wildlife, killing livestock, and making our wells undrinkable. It’s happened in Colorado, it’s happened in Texas, it’s happened in Pennsylvania, and yes, it would happen here.
I am aware, as you yourself have said, that this region has relied on “harvesting it’s natural resources” to survive, but so far, Delaware County has been able to thrive in the midst of harvesting lumber and stone. Outside of the temporary disruption of trout fishing due to the Downsville dam at times, people come from all over to enjoy the river. Clean water, clean air and abundant wildlife have characterized this region. Hydrofracking requires the release of its toxic wastewater to continue production. Clean water must be continuously supplied, contaminated and then discarded. Now, where is all this toxic fluid going to go? Into our soil and into our water.
And, to top it off, the gas companies are not legally bound to clean up after themselves. Check your contract. They can trash your property and, with horizontal drilling, they can infiltrate all your neighbors’ properties and just walk away. They don’t answer to the 1974 Clean Water Act, they don’t answer to local authorities and they are too big and powerful to sue. The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) own spill reports document that existing regulations have not required the cleanup of hundreds of drill related incidents, including air pollution, explosions, polluted water wells, home evacuations due to unbearable noise levels and massive wastewater releases.
I have looked forward for almost 20 years to retiring to the beautiful Catskill region to hike, fish and spend my days, and my money, in peace. It truly sickens me to think my pristine property may become unlivable, uninsurable and impossible to sell! Please do not risk the lives and livelihood of so many for a temporary monetary profit that may not amount to much.
Patricia Rigby
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