Company to test for gas in Steuben County
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - Sometime this summer, there's going to be a whole lot of shaking going on in Steuben County.

Dawson Geophysical Inc., a seismic data gathering company, will be testing the underground regions of Steuben County, from Avoca through the Lindley area, in an effort to determine whether natural gas pockets exist. The company generates seismic data using huge trucks with gear that literally vibrates the ground, according to Dawson representative Douglas Holmes.

Holmes met with Bath village officials Monday to request the company be allowed to conduct vibratory tests in the Village of Bath. The answer was a polite "No," based on concern for the village's aged underground infrastructure of gas and water lines.

"We don't want those lines damaged," said Mayor David Wallace. "Some of these lines are quite old."

Village trustees gave Holmes permission to run a monitoring line down Morris Street, and Holmes said the monitors alone may pick up evidence of underground pockets. Trustees, however, said Dawson would not be allowed to vibrate Morris Street.

Wallace noted Dawson would carry insurance in the event any infrastructure is damaged due to vibrating. "But that's not the issue," he said. "If we have to replace a dozen water lines, our own guys would have to do it. It's a problem better avoided."

What happens if natural gas is discovered underneath Bath? Don't expect any gas wells in the middle of Pulteney Park.

"There may be areas along the river where they could sink a well," Wallace said. "But mainly I think they're just looking for a consistent reading."