Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District
100 Grange Place, Room 202, Cortland, NY 13045
Phone: (607) 756-5991 • Fax: (607) 756-0029
SWCD...established to promote the conservation and wise use of our county’s natural resources
TO:
ALL CORTLAND COUNTY OFFICIALS, CORTLAND TOWN SUPERVISORS and
BOARD MEMBERS, CORTLAND CITY OFFICIALS and VILLAGE OFFICIALS
RE:
CORTLAND COUNTY SOIL AND WATER HOSTS INFORMATIONAL SERIES FOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REGARDING NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION
As most of you probably already know there is significant interest in Central New York with regard
to natural gas exploration and development of the Marcellus Shale and other rock formations.
Gas companies are snatching up land leases and preparing for New York’s gas drilling
moratorium in the Marcellus shale to be lifted upon completion of the ongoing environmental
review process by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. It is vital to
our communities that officials are well versed in gas exploration as activity is imminent in the
localities which they represent.
In conjunction with the Cortland County Agriculture/Planning/Environmental Committee, Cortland
County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is organizing a series of informational
sessions for local government officials in the county. We have a couple of speakers confirmed
and all of the sessions are mapped out below. Officials are urged to attend each of these
sessions as questions from your communities will be brought up at Town and Village Board
Meetings, Legislative Sessions and, for those of you who have not yet received them, phone calls
from concerned county residents.
Session 1:
Gas Exploration in the Marcellus Shale – Presentation for Local Officials
New York State Grange Headquarters – Thursday April 30th, 2009 3-5pm
Located in the basement auditorium at 100 Grange Place
Broome County Attorney Joseph Sluzar will be discussing the similarities between the
Barnett Play, which he has visited in Texas, and the Marcellus Play in regards to
extraction techniques and area demographics. He will discuss what actions Broome
County is taking to address potential resource concerns relating to gas exploration in the
Marcellus Shale. In addition, Mr. Sluzar will also be discussing some of the ethical issues
faced by legislators and other municipal officials. Mr. Sluzar writes “The mix of politics,
conflicts of interest, and large wads of $$$ magnify the scrutiny that all public officials
face”. He will be discussing some delicate issues which are sure to be a benefit to all
local officials who attend.
Session 2:
Natural Gas Development – Pipelines for Local Officials
New York State Grange Headquarters – Thursday May 14th, 2009 4-6pm
Located on the 2nd floor at 100 Grange Place, Room 205
Pipeline Specialist John Lacey, Retired from New York State Agriculture and Markets, will
be giving a presentation that illustrates the significance of pipeline routing, construction,
impacts and (recommended) mitigation across the rural workscape. Lacey writes,
“Landowners must understand there is more to natural gas development and the
disturbance of surface resources than a well drilling operation on "someone else's" land.”
Even if there is not a drill site on a residents property it is quite possible that a pipeline
may have to go through their property to get to the gas companies distribution lines. It is
important that local officials are well versed in pipeline related issues as questions are
sure to be asked by their constituents.
Session 3:
Thursday May 28th, 2009 – Details TBA
Session 4:
Thursday June 11th, 2009 – Details TBA
For more information on any of these sessions sponsored by the Cortland County SWCD or any
other programs the SWCD has to offer, please contact District Manager, Amanda Barber at 607756-5991 or email her at amanda.barber@cortlandswcd.org