The deadline is this Wednesday, Jan. 11, for public comments to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation on its Environmental Impact Statement and regulations for hydrofracked gas drilling in the state.  Much of our region falls in the Marcellus shale area that will be targeted for drilling.

The impacts on birds and other wildlife from hydrofracking is significant.  Surface water withdrawals, habitat fragmentation, storage and disposal of drilling wastes, are all threats.  And these impacts are in addition to the well-documented dangers to ground water and drinking water, and resulting public health threats.

Even DEC states in its impact statement that “Significant adverse impacts to habitats, wildlife, and biodiversity from site disturbance associated with high-volume hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale region of New York will be unavoidable.”  This alone should necessitate the agency charged with protecting our environment and wildlife to not permit hydrofracking to proceed.

Please speak out at this time against hydrofracking!  Written comments can be postmarked by the deadline and sent to:  Attn: dSGEIS Comments, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway,Albany, NY 12233-6510.  Comments can be submitted online via the DEC website, http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/76838.html