Extensive press coverage about inadequate DOH review of DEC "health impact analysis"

Greetings:

I write to bring to your attention extensive local, state and national press coverage of the total lack of public participation as well as the inadequate scope of the Department of Health's Review of the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) "health impact analysis" in the Revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS).

See links below.

I also alert you that more than 2,700 elected officials, physicians, scientists, academic researchers, a broad range of environmental groups and concerned citizens have signed a coalition letter requesting that a) the revised DEC revised rulemaking proceeding be immediately terminated and b) the SGEIS proceeding be restarted to address the shortcomings of the DOH Review.

See: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/letters/2012/11/28/cuomo

I request that you publicly support full public participation in the DOH Review as well as expanding the scope of the Review as proposed in the letter to Governor Cuomo that I earlier cc'd you on.

Please note that the DOH Review will receive intense public policy attention in the days ahead. New York is the first state in the history of the nation to adopt a moratorium on shale gas fracturing pending adoption of comprehensive public health and environmental safeguards. This is a matter of utmost priority for a vast region stretching from the Catskills through the Southern Tier and the Finger Lakes to Western New York.

New York State reportedly aims by 2/29/13 to: a) finish the DOH "health impact analysis" Review, b) adopt a Final SGEIS and c) complete the Revised Shale Gas Rulemaking proceeding.

There will very likely be overwhelming, blistering public criticism if the DOH Review does not: 1) require full public participation and 2) expand its scope to address the fundamental public health protection inadequacies voiced about the Revised Draft SGEIS.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions that I might be able to answer.

Thank you for your consideration.

Very truly yours,

Walter Hang

See: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-12-05/anti-frack...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-12-04/fracking-o...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/hydrofracking-demonst...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-12-04/review-fra...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-11-20/many-group...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-11-29/fracking-f...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-11-27/cuomo-stat...

http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/news/2012-11-16/experts-de...