On April 5, 2010, the Agriculture, Planning and Industry (AIP) Committee of the Steuben County Legislature indicated that they would consider the formation of a County-wide Task Force to explore the full environmental and economic impact on our County residents of the proposed hydraulic fracturing (hydro-fracking) of the Marcellus Shale. The formation of such a Task Force would be a significant first step.
As the experiences from other locations where hydro-fracking is permitted demonstrates, this type of drilling will radically alter our environmental and economic landscape.
Communities from right across our border in Pennsylvania have reported contaminated drinking water, destruction of roads, and significant noise, air and light pollution due to the drilling.
Concerns have been raised over the potential threats to human health from the toxicity of water laced with carcinogens, many of which are not being disclosed by the industry, being pumped at high pressure into the ground, stored, treated and transported right in our communities.
A Task Force would explore not only these environmental effects, but also the economic impact of hydro-fracking.
While employment opportunities and increased tax revenues have been cited as potential benefits, a Task Force could study, for example, whether the jobs to be created from drilling would be long term local jobs, or temporary ones given to out-of-state workers.
A Task Force could further weigh whether any increased revenues to be expected would cover the significant economic costs such as road repairs, clean-up of potential spills and contaminations, declining real property values, the drain on local emergency services, construction of new wastewater treatment facilities, and the negative impact on some of our most vital industries - agriculture, tourism and wineries.
A Task Force charged with identifying and addressing the potential impacts of hydro-fracking is essential and it is our hope that this drilling will not be permitted in our communities until the full environmental and economic effects are known. The health and safety of our land, water, air and families depend on it.
Mark Schlechter
Bath
Bath, NY —
