The Catskill Chronicle

YOUNGSVILLE, NY (February 20, 2011) – Catskill Mountainkeeper has announced that, “next week the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is holding public hearings on their proposed natural gas development regulations in Liberty, NY, Honesdale, PA and Trenton, NJ (details below)…”

“The DRBC is the federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin, which supplies drinking water for 17,000,000 people. The Delaware is the longest free flowing river in the eastern United States and its waters have been designated for special protection by the federal government. Last year, Americans Rivers designated the Delaware as the most endangered river in the United States because of the threat of gas drilling.”

“The regulations that the DRBC is proposing will determine under what conditions permits can be issued for gas drilling in the Delaware River Basin…”

There are two locations in our area that will both be having meetings on February 22nd. Please plan to attend the one that is nearest to you.

Feb. 22 – Honesdale High School Auditorium, 459 Terrace Street, Honesdale, PA

Feb. 22 – Liberty High School Auditorium, 125 Buckley Street, Liberty, NY

Feb. 24 – Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ

Note: The hearings will be held from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM at each location. To testify you must register one hour prior to the beginning of each session (12:30 PM and 5:00 PM).  Testimony is limited to two minutes and will be scheduled on first-come basis. The DRBC anticipates that they will be able to hear 75 people at each venue, so please come early.

Written comments will be accepted through the close of business March 16, 2011 by either electronic or paper submission. CLICK HERE to link to the DRBC website to conveniently comment or write to The Commission Secretary, DRBC, PO Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. All comments need to include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter.  Paper submissions will also be accepted at the three public hearings.”