Dear Governor Cuomo/Ms. Enck, I have been watching the gradual incursion of gas-drilling efforts into my beautiful Finger Lakes Region with the greatest apprehension for the past several years. As always, corporations send their people into regions like ours well ahead of any publicity and induce local residents---often in declining areas---to sign contracts with them. At last the NY Times has decided to provide full and detailed coverage about the damage that has already occurred in many parts of the country due to poorly regulated fracking of shale deposits.
[Governor Cuomo] I urge you to do the following:
1. Expand the scope of the draft SGEIS to include the absolutely critical problem of how to manage wastewater which will bring toxins to our local wells and lakes.
2. Establish Citizens and Technical Advisory Committees to help DEC revise the draft SGEIS.
3. Provide at least 30 days for public comment to identify additional issues to be included in the draft SGEIS scope
4. Last---and extremely important because this step is being bypassed now---require INDIVIDUAL EIS reviews for fracking permits.
Thank you, Brett