Marcellus Shale Drilling - Write Governor Paterson

There are 3 weeks left to write to Governor Paterson before he makes his decision to accept or reject the DEC's draft environmental impact statement (dSGEIS). Wherever you come down on this issue, if you want to be heard now's the time to act. The comment period ends: Dec 31.

Governor Paterson's Contact Info:

email: governor@chamber.state.ny.us

Postal address:
Governor David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Telephone:
518-474-8390 (Office)
518-474-1513 (Fax)

Sample Letter:

Kathleen Quinn-Jacobs
52 Sodom Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
November 30, 2009

Governor David A. Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Paterson,

Collectively, hundreds, if not thousands, of Tompkins County residents have built a strong and growing foodshed. Not just farmers, but local educators, food advocates, restaurants and retailers have dedicated their life's work to developing our region's foodshed.

This collective effort is not just a good idea, but a way to feed ourselves. It is also a sustainable local economy that is dependent upon the health and well-being of our water, air and soils.

Untold hours of time and many dollars have been spent in this enterprise. Yet, the impact of hydraulic fracturing on the foodshed is absent from the DEC's draft SGEIS document.

It is unimaginable that this thriving segment of our local economy, which operates in concert with our environment, might be a casualty of the national and international energy markets without being given so much as an acknowledgment from the agency charged with examining how land is used in our region and protecting our environment.

As a small-scale farmer and administrator for IthaCan, a network of over 150 home food processors, I urge the Govenor to reject the existing draft of the DEC Environmental Impact Statement. Hydraulic fracturing's impact on the region’s foodshed must be taken into account. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Quinn-Jacobs

Tags: drilling, gas