Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Honorable Members of the DEC Hydraulic Fracturing Advisory Panel

Dear Governor Cuomo and Members of the DEC Hydraulic Fracturing Advisory Panel:

As you know, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and three outside experts are conducting a "review" of the "health impact analysis" presented in the Department of Environmental Conservation's Revised Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS).

That "review" is being conducted in secrecy without any public participation whatsoever. That is shockingly improper and an affront to open and transparent government decision-making.

We, the undersigned, request that the DOH Review require:

a) immediate public notice of the intent and scope of the DOH "health impact analysis" Review;

b) a 30-day minimum public comment period;

c) at least one public hearing to require the reviewers to hear testimony from interested parties; and

d) a restart of the SGEIS proceeding to allow public comment about how best to resolve all the concerns documented about DOH's inadequate review.

The DOH Review is critically important because no final decision will be made about permitting shale gas fracturing in New York until it is completed. That is why it is imperative that the Review be comprehensive and properly undertaken. Until the DOH Review is finished, no Final SGEIS will be adopted and no shale gas revised rulemaking will be finalized.

It is entirely appropriate that Hydraulic Fracturing Advisory Panel members address the shortcomings of the DOH Review. As you know, Advisory Panel members are charged with: "developing recommendations to avoid and mitigate impacts to local governments and communities." See: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/node/37325

Given that mandate, I would like to commend Advisory Panel Member Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo for writing to DEC Commissioner Martens to voice concerns about public participation in the DOH Review: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/MarcellusShale/documents/letters/2012/12/... See her coverage: http://www.toxicstargeting.com/news/2012-12-06/lupardo-wants-ny-fracking...

Very truly yours,

Benjamin Perkus, Chair, New York Residents Against Drilling
Elaine Perkus, Board Member, New York Residents Against Drilling
Gerri Wiley, Coordinator, Owego Residents Against Fracking Tioga
Gail Kumpan, Concerned Citizens of the Town of Binghamton
Yvonne Lucia, Principal, Concerned Citizens of the Town of Binghamton
Stanley R. Scobie, Principal, Concerned Citizens of the Town of Binghamton
Carl Letson, Jr., Founder, Concerned Citizens of Broome County
Theron Verdon, Concerned Citizens of Broome County
Sharon Fischer, Town of Union Citizens Against Fracking
Cathy Hall, Town of Union Citizens Against Fracking
Jim Turner, Vestal Residents for Safe Energy
Michelle Giblin-Brundage, Concerned Citizens of Broome County
Joan Koster, Concerned Citizens of Rural Broome
Cindy Westerman, New York Residents Against Drilling
Barbara Decker, Concerned Citizens of Rural Broome
Nancy Lee, Concerned Citizens of Rural Broome
Bill Lee, Concerned Citizens of Rural Broome
Kathleen Dickerson, Town of Union Citizens Against Fracking
Aubrey Clark, Vestal Residents for Safe Energy
Marena Gonz, Concerned Citizens of the Town of Chenango
Kate Griffith, Independent Resident