CMK IN THE NEWS ARCHIVE 6/2008 – 2011
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For articles before June 2008 visit our IN THE NEWS ARCHIVE
Steve Israel: Fracking fight is partly about local control
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - Nov 6, 2011
Catskills casino plan is no sure bet
Crain’s New York Business – Jeremy Smerd - Nov 6, 2011
Coalition launches radio anti-fracking campaign
Legislative Gazette – Felicia Krieg - Nov 1, 2011
Conservation groups accuse fed, state, local officials of passing …
The Colorado Independent – David O. Williams - Nov 1, 2011
New York Water Rangers Commend Gov Cuomo & DEC for Taking Steps to …
ReadMedia (press release) - Oct 29, 2011
The North Mississippi Allstars Bring Blues Rock to Woodstock
Examiner.com - October 28, 2011
Episcopalians ask: Would Jesus frack?
Politics on the Hudson (blog) – Jon Campbell - October 25, 2011
Mountainkeeper not satisfied with EPA’s announced fracking …
EmpireStateNews.net - Oct 21, 2011
The language doesn’t go far enough for Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, an opponent of hydrofracking
NY: Countdown to Hydrofracking
WAMC - Oct 20, 2011
Gambling push raises Catskill casino stakes
Crain’s New York Business - Oct 20, 2011
This Week In NYU Events: New York Magazine, Hydrofracking, Sex …
NYU Local – Caroline Hayes - Oct 17, 2011
Last Chance
Madison County Courier – Chris Hoffman - Oct 14, 2011
Doctors want fracking health impact analysis
Legislative Gazette – Jordan Lipschik - Oct 12,2011
Doctors Urge NY to Weigh Health Risks of Fracking
New York Times (blog) – Mireya Navarro - Oct 5, 2011
… established pathways for health impacts,” said the letter, signed by more than 250 doctors and anti-drilling groups like Catskill Mountainkeeper. …
Fracking debate divides a county that’s struggling hard to survive
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - Oct 9, 2011
… Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens was a founder of one of the leading anti-drilling organizations in the state, Catskill Mountainkeeper. …
“Get Moving – Walk, Don’t Drive”, say local environmentalists
Mid-Hudson News - Sep 26, 2011
As Fracking Crosses the Delaware, Deepak Chopra and Mark Ruffalo …
Huffington Post (blog) - Sep 20, 2011
Thousands of comments expected on SGEIS; parties weigh in on …
The River Reporter – Fritz Mayer - Sep 15, 2011
Anti-frackers say gas industry had a hand in new DEC report
Legislative Gazette – Jordan Lipschik - Sep 12, 2011
Ramsay Adams of the Catskill Mountainkeeper, is irate about the latest environmental impact statement. “It’s completely inadequate and frightening; …
DEC opens public comment on ‘fracking
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - September 8, 2011
“The whole hydrogeology of the area has changed, so you have devastating floods in areas that aren’t plains,” says Ramsay Adams of Catskill Mountainkeeper. …
Heard Around Town, Sept. 7, 2011
The Capitol - September 7, 2011
NY Attorney General may have to defend hydrofracking
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle – Jon Campbell - September 6, 2011
… for not protecting New Yorkers,” said Wes Gillingham, program director for Catskill Mountainkeeper. For the gas industry, the exact opposite is true. …
Irene Recovery Underway in the Hudson Valley
WAMC - September 1, 2011
Red Carpet Agitator
Chronogram – Jay Blotcher - September 1, 2011
Grassroots Groups Unite For Statewide Ban on Fracking in New York
AlterNet – Sabrina Artel - August 11, 2011
Environmental groups don’t think fracking can be done safely
Saugerties Times – Violet Snow - August 9, 2011
Coalition, including local groups, files for drilling and fracking …
EmpireStateNews.net - August 7, 2011
In this area, the groups include Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Hopewell Junction Citizens for Clean Water, Hudson Riverkeeper, .
Ossining’s Riverkeeper Expands Offices
Patch.com – Chris McHugh - Aug 1, 2011
Catskill Mountainkeeper says no fracking, no way
Mid-Hudson News - Jul 21, 2011
YOUNGSVILLE – The Catskill Mountainkeeper organization came out against any hydrofracking in New York, Wednesday. The group said while a revised …
EPA focuses on water in ‘fracking’
Buffalo News – David Robinson - July 20, 2011
… no matter how stringent they are,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of CatskillMountainkeeper. Horizontal wells go straight down for about a mile, …
ENVIRONMENT: DEC cuts may affect gas well monitoring
Rochester City Newspaper – Jeremy Moule - July 20, 2011
Industry giant to invest $1 billion in natural gas; question …
WAMC - Jul 12, 2011
Ramsay Adams heads the environmental preservation group Catskill Mountainkeeper. He questions how profitable the industry truly is, and the amount in …
Banning Corporate Personhood: How Communities Are Taking the Law …
AlterNet – Sabrina Artel - July 15, 2011
Josh Fox, Joe Levine, Al Appleton, Ramsay Adams, Mark Ruffalo, Arts for Peace …
49 Groups Call on Cuomo for Statewide Fracking Ban
Anti-fracking groups call for a statewide ban
Anti-Fracking Groups Rally in Albany
Legal challenges expected as state moves toward hydrofracking
More Details on Hydrofracking in New York Expected Today
DEC Opens Eighty Percent of NY to Fracking
DEC Comm Martens Reveals More Details of State Fracking Plan
‘Fracking’ ban omits river land, infuriating foes
“A road map for the industrialization of the Catskills; the fact that the Delaware River isn’t protected is outrageous,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “It’s clear they haven’t developed a plan to deal with wastewater ..
DEC regulations ban fracking in watershed areas, open up 85% of Marcellus for …
Fracking might be allowed in New York
DEC chief defends fracking safeguards
France bans fracking
DEC working on gas drilling rules
Fracking bills languishing in Albany
New York Water Rangers Applaud Assembly for Acting to Protect State Waters …
Actors Wade Into the Fracking Debate
Last April, the groups, including Riverkeeper, the Natural Resources Defense Council and CatskillMountainkeeper, enlisted average citizens as “rangers” to help protect the safety of their water. asking them to don superhero costumes and have …
Ethan Hawke, Michael Scott’s fiancee appear in anti-fracking spot
The spot was sponsored by a coalition of groups who have been very outspoken against hydrofracking, including Environmental Advocates of New York, Catskill Mountainkeeper and Citizens Campaign for the Environment. Ruffalo, in particular, has been very …
XTO Energy Public Hearing
Wes Gillingham is with the Catskill Mountain Keeper. He believes drilling regulations should be in place before companies are approved for future waterdrawals. Gillingham says, “This is the cart before the horse. We have a regulatory process that’s …
My View: Study a ray of hope for Sullivan County agriculture
It thus came as a sublime surprise to learn that the very opposite conclusion had been reached by the Open Space Institute, in connection with the Urban Design Lab of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, Catskill Mountainkeeper, the Upper …
Catskill Mountainkeeper Protects and Preserves Area’s Long-Term Health
Oquaga Creek water withdrawal request draws flood of responses
Wes Gillingham, program director for Catskill Mountainkeeper, said that provided further justification to deny the application. “The New York State DEC Commissioner has asked you not to approve this docket,” he said during his public comments. …
Headlines for Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wes Gillingham is the program director at Catskill Mountain Keeper, a New York-based environmental advocacy group. ”Community groups, environmental organizations, farming organizations, health organizations have been calling for the last 2 years, …
Mayor Ryan Announces Details for Binghamton Big Splash / Southern Tier Clean …
DEC shifts fracking-rules timeline
“Let the EPA release the study and let the DEC take that into account,” says Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “The timeline should be based on science, and science is coming.” Pro-drillers, who say drilling is safe and would …
Livingston Manor to host Trout Parade June 11
Catskill Mountainkeeper Protects and Preserves Area’s Long-Term Health
Coalition Calls on Officials & DEC to Focus on Public Health Risks of Gas …
Fundraiser in Sullivan County draws fracking foes
Times Herald-Record – Stephen Sacco - Mat 25, 2011
‘Meet the Fockers’ Star Blythe Danner Joins NY Water Rangers to Protect …
Ommegang Brewery site of anti-hydrofracking concert
WKTV – Caroline Gable - May 13, 2011
… and real serious problems with the process and potential for contaminating ground water,” said activist and Catskill Mountainkeeper Wes Gillingham. …
State invests pension fund dollars in oil and gas companies
WAMC - May 9, 2011
Wes Gillingham is with Catskill Mountainkeeper, a vocal opponent of the practice of hydraulic fracturing in New York. He raises questions over the investment in Cabot, which has been at the center of the controversy surrounding contaminated water in …
Trout Parade to feature marching band competition
Times Herald-Record - May 6, 2011
The Trout Parade will step off promptly at 1 pm, led by the 2011 grand marshal, Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. Adams will be followed by a wide variety of music, entertainment and floats representing local businesses, …
Trailer Talk’s Frack Talk: What Happens When Gas Drillers Ruin Your Home and …
AlterNet - Sabrina Artel - May 5, 2011
Sabrina Artel: Welcome to Trailer Talk. I have joining me Julie and Craig Sautner. You traveled all the way from Pennsylvania. We’re here in Beaverkill, New York. This is the CatskillMountainkeeper Field Day and Barnfest.
AlterNet - Sabrina Artel - May 5, 2011
Sabrina Artel: Welcome to Trailer Talk. I have joining me Julie and Craig Sautner. You traveled all the way from Pennsylvania. We’re here in Beaverkill, New York. This is the CatskillMountainkeeper Field Day and Barnfest.
NY Water Rangers Applaud Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee for …
ReadMedia (press release) - May 4, 2011
The campaign was launched by Environmental Advocates of New York and is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Natural Resources Defense Council, …
DEC Commish Martens, Senator Grisanti & Assemblyman Sweeney Join …
ReadMedia (press release) - May 2, 2011
This year’s Earth Day Lobby Day was hosted by Adirondack Council, Audubon New York, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Environmental Advocates of New York, New York Interfaith Power and Light, New York League of …
Farm-to-table trend helps small farmers
Times Herald-Record - Leonard Sparks - Apr 23, 2011
The report is the fruit of a project team that includes Open Space, Catskill Mountainkeeper and students in Columbia University’s Urban Design Research Seminar. Its release Saturday comes at a time when farming in New York state — and in the Catskills …
Trailer Talk’s Frack Talk: New York Attorney General Threatens to Sue Feds If …
AlterNet - Sabrina Artel - Apr 21, 2011
… for Sustainability, Sullivan County NY residents including actor Mark Ruffalo, members of Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, neighbors traveling on buses hosted by CatskillMountainkeeper, recordings from statements made to the DRBC and more. …
Fracking concerns in Pennsylvania may have implications in New York
YNN - Lori Chung - Apr 20, 2011
“What the implication is, is that we really need to plan ahead before any development goes forward,” said Wes Gillingham, Program Director for the environmental group CatskillMountainkeeper. The DEP’s request comes after high levels of bromide were …
Anti-fracking exhibit opens at Grand Central Station – YNN, Your …
Apr 21, 2011 … Catskill Mountainkeeper and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability are participating in an anti-fracking exhibit called “Landcsapes of …
hudsonvalley.ynn.com/…/anti-fracking-exhibit-opens-at-grand-central-station/ –
Fracking concerns in Pennsylvania may have implications in New York
YNN – Lori Chung - April 15, 2011
Catskill Mountainkeeper, like others with a stake in whether hydrofracking goes forward in New York, is watching to see how this unfolds. …
Trailer Talk’s Frack Talk: New York Attorney General Threatens to …
AlterNet – Sabrina Artel - April 12, 2011
… Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, neighbors traveling on buses hosted by CatskillMountainkeeper, recordings from statements made to the DRBC and more. …
Albany Times Union – Brian Nearing - Apr 11, 2011
Protestors holds signs as they listen to Wes Gillingham, program director for the CatskillMountainkeeper, during a rally on …
NY Times frack story makes waves
REGION — A lengthy article in The New York Times, published on February 27, has environmentalists applauding and calling the article a game changer.
The River Reporter – Mar 03 06:40am
Ulster lawmakers to hold forum on hydrofracking
Mid-Hudson News - Mar 8, 2011
Poughkeepsie Journal - Mar 7, 2011
Catskill Mountainkeeper opens High Peaks office
The Daily Mail – Feb 26 11:20pm
Environmentalist joins new Woodstock office
Kingston Daily Freeman – Feb 26 12:06am
Drilling regulations please neither side
The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild: Special Benefit Concert Featuring Peggy Seeger …
Mid-Hudson News - Feb 14, 2011
KINGSTON – The Catskill Mountainkeeper is on the side of Ulster County government with its planned lawsuit against the New York City Department of …
Catskill Mountainkeeper opens Woodstock office
Times Herald-Record - Adam Bosch - Feb 11, 2011
Catskill Mountainkeeper, based in the hamlet of Youngsville in Sullivan County, announced the new branch location on Tuesday. It will be led by Dr. Kathleen …
DEP launches strategic plan to protect watersheds
Mid-Hudson News - Feb 10, 2011
Catskill Mountainkeeper Executive Director Ramsay Adams is very much in support of the plan, especially the no-hydrofracking stance. …
Catskill Daily Mail - Jim Planck - Feb 5, 2011
The presentation — “Economic Benefits of Parkland,” and which includes a group discussion — is conducted in conjunction with Catskill Mountainkeeper and …
High hopes for ‘Gasland’ at Academy Awards
YNN Syracuse – Jan 27 05:16pm
The Journal News | LoHud.com - Jan 23 ,2011
A conversation with Debra Winger, an Irvington resident and one of the film’s producers, and the Catskill Mountainkeeper Ramsay Adams, follows. …
Josh Fox documentary ‘Gasland’ screens in IrvingtonThe Journal News | LoHud.com – Karen Croke -Jan 22, 2011
Centre Daily Times - Jan 12, 2011
COURTESY OF CATSKILL MOUNTAINKEEPER: HTTP://WWW.CATSKILLMOUNTAINKEEPER.ORG/NODE/290 held thousands of feet below the earth’s surface. …
DEC needs more than good ideas
Times Herald-Record - Jan 11, 2011
As president of the Open Space Institute and former chairman of Catskill Mountainkeeper, he has made it clear that the prospect of creating thousands of …
Today’s local news briefs FROM: Accord, UCCC, town of Ulster, Rosendale, East Greenbush corrected
Issues Andrew Cuomo must address now that he’s governor
Reaction to Paterson’s moratorium veto
River Reporter – Fritz Mayer - Dec 16, 2010
A statement from Catskill Mountainkeeper called the executive order an “amazing victory.” With it, the statement said, “New York State becomes the first …
Governor’s executive order calls for more study of hydrofracking in Marcellus Shale
Mid Hudson News – Dec 13, 2010
Catskill Mountainkeeper called the executive order an “historic victory for the citizens of New York State.” But, it said it is a “disappointment” because vertical wells, which are excluded from the ban, are also dangerous.
On Drilling, Paterson Pleases Both Sides
The New York Times – Dec 12, 2010
The environmental group Catskill Mountainkeeper called the same action a “historic victory for the citizens of New York State.
Paterson pressured over fracking bill
The Times Herald Record – Dec 11, 2010
On Friday, environmental groups like Catskill Mountainkeeper of Youngsville launched a counterattack, claiming vertical wells have caused “some of the worst water contamination problems” in the country.
Deadline to Call a “Timeout” on Fracking Approaches
Press Release – Dec 10, 2010
“Two years ago industry told us ‘It’s just sand and water.’ Today everyone knows it is much more toxic than that, so why would we believe their current exaggeration?” said Wes Gillingham, Program Director, Catskill Mountainkeeper. “It is time to stop and get the facts about how fracking will impact our state before it happens, not after it’s too late.”
N.Y. Assembly approves fracking moratorium
Pike County Courier – Dec 06, 2010
Extraction tax dies in Pa. State House ALBANY, N.Y. While Pennsylvania argues how or whether to tax fracking gas drilling withdrawals, the New York State Assembly voted 93 to 43 Monday night on a temporary moratorium on the process.
Groups Call on NYS Assembly to Pass “Timeout” for Fracking for Natural Gas
in the news this week. That’s the Indian casino proposed by the Stockbridge Munsee Band of …
Environmental group calls for national moratorium on natural gas drilling
Some anti-drillers also anti-casino
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - Nov 21, 2010
The Marcellus Shale Play: Enviros and Drillers Agree – State Environmental …
New York is in an environmental crisis
For more than a year now, Catskill Mountainkeeper has been calling for the state to throw out its flawed DSGEIS and redo it based on current scientific …
Groups Congratulate Gov-Elect Cuomo, Send Assignment: Rebuild NY’s …
The organizations congratulating the Governor-elect include The Adirondack Council, American Lung Association in New York, Catskill Mountainkeeper,
Leaked Memo Depicts Bare-Bones Regulatory Environment for NY Gas Drilling
Nobody likes idea of DEC slashing staff by 15 percent
“The state’s inability to adequately monitor gas drilling is yet one more reason why the state should slow down the process,” says Catskill Mountainkeeper, …
Mountainkeeper to talk about his fight against fracking
Warwick Advertiser - Oct 22, 2010
Commission: Gas regulations not ready yet
SPARC dinner features Mountainkeeper director
Times Herald-Record - Oct 16, 2010
Steve Israel: No rhyme or reason to fracking debate?
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - Oct 10, 2010
Catskills Lark in the Park Runs Oct 2-11
ReadMedia (press release) - Sept 29, 2010
The quiet rise of American Big Gas
CNNMoney – Katie Benner – Shelley DuBois - Sept 29, 2010
US energy companies rush into shale oil projects
Financial Times – Sheila McNulty - Sept 29, 2010
Lark in the Park to highlight diversity of the Catskills
Catskill Daily Mail – Jim Planck - Sep 22, 2010
Second day of EPA hearing sparsely attended
Ithaca Journal – Jon Campbell - Sep 15, 2010
My View: Groundswell of groups joins to fight gas drilling
Times Herald-Record – Wes Gillingham - Sep 14, 2010
EPA’s New York fracking hearing may lack star power, but not energy
Platts - Sep 10, 2010
Nor will the celebrities, according to officials with Catskill Mountainkeeper, an environmental group helping to organize the anti-drilling contingent.
Is Fracking Poisoning Our Food?
Middletown Times Herald-Record – Aug 21 11:02pm
Online Journal – Aug 15 09:29pm
Online Journal – Aug 12 09:59pm
The River Reporter – Aug 12 06:37am
The River Reporter – Aug 12 06:36am
Environmentalists Call for More ‘Fracking’ Hearings
The Washington Independent – Andrew Restuccia - August 10, 2010
Groups Call on Environmental Protection Agency to Extend Comment …
ReadMedia (press release) - August 10, 2010
LAJARA: What’s the fracking problem?
Kingston Daily Freeman – Ivan Lajara - August 10, 2010
Hearing on gas drilling postponed
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - August 10, 2010
EPA moves NY drilling hearing, expecting crowds
BusinessWeek – Mary Esch - August 10, 2010
EPA moves “fracking” hearing because of cost
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - August 10, 2010
Fracking meeting: Change of venue sends rally organizers scrambling
Press & Sun-Bulletin – Steve Reilly - August 10, 2010
Fracking for Natural Gas and Oil May Have Broken the Law
Environmental Working Group -August 6, 2010
Hydrofracking issue remains on front burner
Fracking foes sway Senate to halt permits
New York Votes to Postpone Massive Natural Gas Drilling Operations
Groups Applaud New York State Senate for Passing a “Timeout” on Fracking for …
Hydrofracking battle heats up with Assembly vote looming
Kingston Daily Freeman – Aug 06 12:07am
Bill McKibben storms Barnfest
The River Reporter – Aug 05 06:19am
Mid-Hudson News – Aug 05 03:25am
YNN Syracuse – Aug 04 06:52pm
The Huffington Post – Aug 03 12:37pm
Lessons from Dimock, PA: Calling for a Moratorium on Natural Gas …
OnEarth Magazine – Mark Ruffalo - August 3, 2010
Hundreds Urge Gas Drilling Moratorium at Contentious DRBC Meeting
Philadelphia Center City Weekly Press – Iris Marie Bloom - 5 days ago
Goings on About Town: Readings and Talks
New Yorker - Jul 4, 2010
… and Wes Gillingham, the program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, who will talk about how the use of fracturing upstate could affect New Yorkers’ tap …
Chances dim for NY moratorium on fracking
Times Herald-Record – Steve Israel - Jul 2, 2010
“It’s disappointing,” said Ramsey Adams of Catsakill Mountainkeeper, one of the chief supporters of a moratorium. “But Albany is dysfunctional, …
Walking for a moratorium
River Reporter – Fritz Mayer - Jul 1, 2010
He said, “I agree with Sierra Club, Catskill Mountainkeeper, “Gasland” director Josh Fox, and thousands of others, that what is truly needed now is for the …
Bill proposes fracking moratorium
Gas companies ramp up lobbying in NY, report says
Award-Winning Documentary ‘Gasland’ Screens In Manhattan
Gas at a Glance
Lessons from neighbours
Binghamton Hosts Pre-HBO Premier of Gasland and Live Appearance by Sundance …
A Special Return Trip to Dimock
RFK Jr.: Gas industry ‘utterly untrustworthy’
Robert Kennedy Jr., environmentalists hear of gas woes in Dimock
Scranton Times-Tribune – laura legere -June 4, 2010
America’s Most Endangered River: the Upper Delaware
River Reporter – Sandy Long - June 3, 2010
New films explore ACA shootings, gas drilling issues
Elmira Star-Gazette - June 3, 2010
Groups join to protect Delaware River from drilling
Waynesboro Record Herald – Dale Ann Deffer - June 3, 2010
That’s why Ramsay Adams, co-founder and executive director of the CatskillMountainkeeper, spoke out passionately to protect the Delaware. …
Hydrofracking causes controversy even in families
The state DEC is getting closer to wrapping up its review of hydrofracking. That’s the name for the process used to extract natural gas from shale and many companies are eager to start exploring the Marcellus shale, which runs across a large part of New York State. In part two of our series on hydrofracking, our Tara Lynn Wagner tells us how a town in northern Pennsylvania is serving as an …YNN Syracuse – May 30 08:10am
Opponents Of Upstate ‘Fracking’ Point To PA
NY1 – Tara Lynn Wagner - June 2, 2010
City’s Watershed At Center Of Drilling Debate
NY1 – Tara Lynn Wagner - June 1, 21010
Hydrofracking in Delaware County a concern downstate
It’s a controversial issue that’s been getting a lot of attention lately. With natural gas companies eager to tap into the deposits in the Marcellus shale, there’s the promise of new jobs and an economic boost for landowners. But there are still concerns about the process used to extract the gas called hydrofracking. In the first of our two part series Tara Lynn Wagner has more on an issue that … YNN Syracuse – May 29 12:25pm
Catskill groups seek moratorium on gas drilling
Natural-Gas Riches Entice New Yorkers to Risk Poisoning Water
Spill, Baby, Spill
DEC watershed decision a ploy?
NYC watershed gets separate rules for drilling
April 21, 2010, Mid Hudson News: Sullivan Renaissance Funds Veggie Gardens “Recipients of the first round of funding include: Catskill Mountainkeeper; Delaware Highlands Conservancy; NACL Theater; Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management; Sullivan County Community College; and Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless. Click here for complete article
April 19, 2010, Times Herald Record: Group Wants Gas Drilling to Save NY Parks “In response, Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, pointed to the news about Pennsylvania and dismissed the proposal as “outrageous.” Click here for complete article
April 18, 2010, YNN Cable News: Environmental Advocates Want Study Done Before Drilling Process Begins “They need to wait until the EPA study to come out,” said Ramsay Adams, Catskill mountain keeper. Ramsay Adams of Catskill mountain keeper doesn’t think the drilling will start this year. Adams says at the same time the DEC is developing its rules, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is also studying natural gas drilling. Adams says by waiting New York can use information from the EPA study to develop its regulations. “It’s the only common sense thing to do,” said Adams. Adams says natural gas drilling will bring major environmental damage to the region for the short term gain of a few, but van Swol says he is confident the rules the DEC comes up with will prevent that from happening. Click here for complete article
April 7, 2010, The Times Herald Record: Environmental Group Wants Drilling Postponed “Why wouldn’t (the Department of Environmental Conservation) wait? It’s only common sense,” says Ramsay Adams, executive director of Mountainkeeper, which like other local and national environmental groups — and New York City — says the horizontal drilling method of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” pollutes drinking water.” Click here for complete article
March 25, 2010, Yale’s Environment 360: A Controversial Drilling Practice Hits Roadblock in New York City “Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, said of the report, “One of the reasons industry could get away with these incidents is that there was a lack of science. New York City used reputable geologists and came up with the science.”” Click here for complete article
March 12, 2010, Hudson Valley Business Journal: Opposition to Gas Drilling Growing
Opposition to drilling for natural gas in the Catskill Watershed is gaining momentum as a unified voice in lower New York, but few leaders in other areas that will be directly impacted have weighed in on the situation. “The southern tier towns (along the Marcellus Shale) are just going to get the traffic impacts and virtually no benefit,” says Ramsey Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. ” Click here for complete article
March 10, 2010, Huffington Post: Fracking in New York’sMarcellus Shale, an Open Forum “The panelists included James Gennaro, chairman of the New York City Council Environmental Protection Committee, Kate Sinding, senior attorney for Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Scott Rotruck, vice president of corporate development for Chesapeake Energy, Stuart Gruskin, executive deputy commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and Wes Gillingham, program director, Catskill Mountain Keeper. There was also a closing keynote by U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey, D-New York 22nd District.” Click here for complete article
March 9, 2010, Mid-Hudson News: Marcellus Shale Gas Mining Discussed at Forum “During public comment, questions were raised as to what sort of impact permitting gas drilling in state park areas would have on the preservation of those parks and the tourism they generate. According to Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Program Director Wes Gillingham, allowing this type of drilling on park land would, in the long term, affect visitors to the area. “People don’t want to come and hunt and fish next to 24/7 drilling activity.” Click here for complete article
March 9, 2010, Times Herald Record: Drilling Proponents, Foes, Square Off in New Paltz “Sinding — like Wes Gillingham of Catskill Mountainkeeper — called for the DEC to start the regulations process over again because there’s no analysis of the “cumulative impact” of drilling. All of which makes the DEC’s job of balancing environmental protection with the development of natural resources even tougher.“ Click here for complete article
March 8, 2010, NRDC Switchboard: Kate Sinding Blog, Flurry of Events in New York Demonstrate Enormous Public Concern Over Marcellus Shale Drilling “Tonight, I am sitting on a panel with Chair of the NYC Council Environmental Protection Committee, Jim Gennaro, DEC Executive Deputy Commissioner, Stuart Gruskin, Chesapeake Energy VP of Government Relations, David Spigelmyer, and Catskill Mountainkeeper Program Director, Wes Gillingham. The panel discussion, being held at SUNY New Paltz, will be in a roundtable format to be followed by a public forum and a keynote address by US Congressman Maurice Hinchey (sponsor of the FRAC Act that would restore federal regulation over the controversial hydraulic fracturing technology). The event is scheduled to run from 5:45 to 8 pm in Lecture Center Room 100.“ Click here for complete article
February 25, 2010, The Phoenicia Times: Belleayre Resort Moving Forward? “The issues involved, from new precedents for mountaintop development to construction traffic and municipal tax compensation, they’re all issues of local community impact, and those are our primary concern” said Aaron Bennett, new Regional Director for Catskill Mountainkeeper.
“Thus far, Crossroads refusal to consider parameters of scale more appropriate to our local communities remains a real issue for us. But we’ll just have to wait and see what the company’s really proposing when the SDEIS is finally submitted.” Click here for complete article
February 26, 2010, Times Herald Record: Sullivan County, Nonprofits Push for Demo Farm “Besides the Open Space Institute, nonprofits that have express interest include Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Catskill Mountainkeeper and the Delaware Highland Conservancy, among others.” Click here for complete article
January 28, 2010, The Huffington Post: Dont Frack With New York! Paterson Poisons the Well to Balance the Budget “We can’t let the gleam of potential profits leave us with a legacy of polluted water and industrialized landscapes,” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. Click here for the complete article
January 28, 2010, The River Reporter: Organic Deliberations “Several people from the Upper Delaware Valley area went to the event, including Sonja Hedlund from Apple Pond Farm in Callicoon Center, Maria Grimaldi of Panther Rock Farn in Youngsville, Trina Pilonero of Silver Heights Farm in Cochecton Center, Mark Dunau of Mountain Dell Farm in Hancock, Greg Swartz of Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Abrahamsville, PA, Wes Gillingham of Catskill Mountainkeeper and Challey Comer of the Watershed Agricultural Council.“ Click here for the complete article
January 26, 2010, The Daily Star: Area Gas Drilling Supporters and Opponents Rally In Albany“There, they heard from members of the Catskill Mountainkeeper and Environmental Advocates, as well as public officials talking about the dangers posed by unbridled gas drilling, including the threat to drinking water supplies, she said. Adrian Kuzminski of Sustainable Otsego was among the speakers, she said.“ Click here for the complete article
January 26, 2010, Times Herald Record: Both Sides in Gas Drilling Dispute “Both camps agree that drilling the gas-rich Marcellus shale, which sits beneath Sullivan County and the Southern Tier, would be the biggest thing the state has seen. “It’s going to forever change the way New York does business,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper environmental group. “It’ll make it an energy state, like Texas, Colorado and West Virginia, and those aren’t pretty places.”Click here for the complete article
January 25, 2010, News10 Now, Binghamton: Protesters Call or Ban on Natual Gas Drilling “We are saying the process is flawed and they have to start over, we are not going to let them roll over us,” said Ramsay Adams, Catskill Mountainkeeper Executive Director.”Click here for the complete article
January 25, 2010, Reuters: Bloomberg Opposes Gas Drilling in the Watershed“At a competing rally organized by environmental groups, about 600 people — many of whom arrived by bus from New York City — said the industry was putting profits ahead of safety and waved signs reading “You Can’t Drink Money” and “Water: Our Best Resource.” “We can’t let the gleam of potential profits leave us with a legacy of polluted water and industrialized landscapes,” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper.Click here for the complete article
January 24, 2010, Times Herald Record: 2 Sides Offer Opposite Views About Fracking“The process just isn’t safe, says Ramsay Adams, executive director of Youngsville-based Catskill Mountainkeeper, one of the state’s leading drilling opponents. There are many assumptions (on the DEC’s part) that the chemicals used in the drilling process won’t seep into the environment, and that’s wrong. Just look at all the documented accidents in states ranging from Pennsylvania to Colorado. Drinking water from New York City to Liberty should be protected. Click here for the complete article
January 20, 2010, Buzzflash: Fight Against Fracking Heats Up in New York and the Marcellus Shale“People are just honestly questioning if this can be done safely at all,” said Wes Gillingham, program director at Catskill MountainKeeper, a nonprofit, grassroots, environmental organization aimed at protecting the Catskills. The Catskills, as well as the Delaware River Valley, sit on top of the Marcellus Shale Formation.” Click here for the complete article
January 11, 2010, Times Herald Record: State Ban on Gas Drilling UnlikelyThe proposed regulations don’t do that, says a prominent drilling opponent, who called the rules “fatally flawed.” “Their job is to protect the environment, and the fact that they’re not is a travesty. The EPA knows it, the city knows and the DEC union knows it,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper.” Click here for the complete article
January 8-14, 2010, Downtown Express: Pols, Activists Usher in New Year With Chilled Water“Representatives of other environmental groups at the rally included Annie Wilson, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter Energy Committee; Deborah Goldberg, Earthjustice; Kate Sinding, National Resource Defense Council lawyer; Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper; and Joel Kupferman, New York Environmental Law & Justice Project attorney.” Click here for the complete article
January 7, 2010, The River Reporter: DEC Flooded With Comments Growing Chorus Says Hold Off On Fracking“NRDC, along with Earthjustice, Delaware Riverkeeper and Catskill Mountainkeeper, filed a 20-page highly technical comment on the draft SGEIS, enumerating a lengthy list of shortcomings, such as that it does not include an analysis of the cumulative impacts of multiple wells on resources such as water and air. ” Click here for the complete article
January 5, 2010, Sullivan County Democrat: Reaction to NYC’s Stance on Gas Drilling “Ramsay Adams and Wes Gillingham are the executive director and program director, respectively, of Catskill Mountainkeeper, a Youngsville-based environmental advocacy group. “As previously reported in this paper, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has categorically stated that drilling in the New York City drinking water supply area must not be allowed,” said Adams.” Click here for the complete article
December 21, 2009, Agence France-Presse: Gas ‘Gold Rush’ Ignites Rural New York “Ramsay Adams, executive director at Catskill Mountainkeeper environmental group, says the biggest worry is what happens next, when the poisonous mix is locked underground in the same hills as New York’s drinking water aquifers.”Thirty percent of these millions of millions of gallons of water are left down there,” Adams said. “Ultimately it will migrate up and go downstream. You could find the contamination downstream. No one knows. The gas companies don’t know.” Click here for the complete article
French Version: Hors de question, pour Ramsay Adams, un des responsables des Catskill Mountainkeeper, une association écologiste locale. Il s’inquiète de ce que le mélange toxique pollue les nappes phréatiques. “Personne ne sait” ce qui peut se passer, insiste M. Adams. “Les compagnies de gaz elles-mêmes n’en savent rien”, lance-t-il. De sa maison, nichée dans un vallon, Alice Diehl acquiesce. Si l’eau venait à être contaminée, “il n’y aurait aucun moyen de défaire le mal”, dit-elle. Click here for the complete article
December 18, 2009, Times Herald Record: New State Plan Touts Natural Gas “But opponents said the plan was premature, coming before new drilling regulations have been approved. “It’s counting your chickens before they’ve hatched,” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper in Youngsville. “You don’t promote an energy plan until you figure out what to do about all the problems.”Click here for the complete article
December 7, 2009, Herald DeParis: Environmentalists: Revise Gas Drilling Review? No Repeal It! “Catskill Mountainkeeper, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a coalition of 26 environmental organizations have teamed up and asked Gov. David Paterson to repeal the Department of Environmental Conservation’s draft environmental review.” Click here for the complete article
December 7, 2009, Mid-Hudson News: Environmental Groups Ask Governor to Throw Out Marcellus Shale DSGEIS “The study, which would apply to the mining of Marcellus Shale, needs to be redrafted, said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. “We’ve had our experts look at the document and it is fundamentally fatally flawed; most obviously no cumulous impacts,” he said. “We are saying loud and clear, a unified message from all across the environmental community in the great State of New York, ‘stop, do this right, this is not an adequate draft, so go back to the drawing board’.” Click here for the complete article
December 5, 2009, The Qatar Peninsula On-Line: Technology Opens Vast Stores of Natural Gas“This is probably the biggest thing to happen to the state of New York since the initial clearing by settlers,” said Wes Gillingham, executive director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper. ” Click here for the complete article
December 4, 2009,DC Bureau: The Marcellus Shale- New York is the Natural Gas Industry’s New Lab Rat “There’s this huge ecological gem that is about to get industrialized,” said Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper program director. “This is probably one of the biggest landscape changes that the East has seen in a really long time.” Click here for the complete article
November 27, 2009,The New York Times: At Odds Over Land, Gas and Money “They could be drilling directly under your well and threatening your groundwater,” said Wes Gillingham, the program director for the environmental group Catskill Mountainkeeper. He owns 100 acres in Sullivan County and said he was trying to keep it off-limits to drilling. Click here for the complete article
November 18, 2009,WENY-TV: Hydrofracking Friction at DEC’s Public Comment Session “Not only did residents come out to protest or support hydrofracturing in New York State, but they’re also talking about the DEC’s report. “This document is inaccurate,” said Wes Gillingham of Livingston Manor. “There are so many flaws.““ Click here for the complete article
November 15, 2009, The Indypendent: New Yorkers Rally at Lone City Hearing on Hydro-Fracking Ramsey Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountain Keeper, an environmental advocacy group, attended the rally and was critical of the D.E.C. He told The Indypendent, “The draft supplemental is woefully inadequate and they need to go back to the drawing-board.” Click here for the complete article
November 13, 2009, Opposing Views: Angry Crowd Protests Water-Threatening, Gas Drilling in New York “Representatives of Riverkeeper, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, NYPIRG, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, NYH2O, Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and other environmental groups also testified and presented a host of reasons for concern/alarm with the draft environmental impact statement prepared by the State DEC.“Click here for the complete article
November 12, 2009, FOX 40 News WICZ TV: To Drill or Not to Drill? DEC Holds Gas Drilling Hearings at CV “We need to have everything in place before you let any of this happen,” said Wes Gillingham, Program Director for Catskill Mountain Keeper” Click here for the complete article
November 10, 2009, Times Herald Record: NYC Rally Aims to Stop Drilling in Watershed- Local Groups Seek Same “If it’s not good enough for New York City, it’s not good enough for the rest of the state. It would set a precedent and say drilling isn’t safe,” says Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper in the western Sullivan hamlet of Youngsville.” Click here for the complete article
November 2, 2009, Counterpunch: Trading the Watershed to Trash the Catskills “To the north and east of Sullivan County, the Catskill Park, established in the late 19th century, contains large parcels of undisturbed forest. “It is an incredibly pristine landscape,” Wes Gillingham, Program Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper told me recently.“ Click here for the complete article
October 28, 2009, The Rochester City Newspaper: Shale Drilling Concerns Evolve “Wes Gillingham.. of the Catskill Mountainkeeper environmental group, says that drilling could have a profound impact on water quality, even across state lines.“ Click here for the complete article
October 21, 2009, The Rochester City Newspaper: Shale- What About the Water? “Gillingham made a compelling point about one of the most crucial issues – water. The energy companies have their sights set on an area in the heart of the Catskills, centered on Peas Eddy and Hancock, in Delaware County. It’s one of the thickest parts of several shale formations, which means it has high potential as a natural gas resource.“ Click here for the complete article
October 14, 2009, The Rochester City Newspaper: Learning the Natural Gas Drill “To help inform area residents on the issues surrounding gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale, local environmental groups, as well as the League of Women Voters, are hosting a forum at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 19, at Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue. The event will feature a panel of experts, including a primer by Wes Gillingham, the director of Catskill Mountain Keeper.“ Click here for the complete article
October 12, 2009, The Times Herald Record: Drilling Regs Hearing Will Reveal issues “The whole cumulative impact is a glaring problem,” says Wes Gillingham, program director of Sullivan County’s Catskill Mountainkeeper. “Each company knows how much land they’ve leased. One well leads to another and another. And how will the state control the impact of all that waste?” Click here for the complete article
October 9, 2009, The Sullivan County Democrat: DEC gas rules get scrutinized “While we are appreciative of the few new controls and protections the DEC report offers, overall it is dramatically inadequate in offering reasonable solutions that the public deserves,” stated Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. Click here for the complete article
October 8, 2009, The River Reporter: Mixed reviews for DEC regs The release said the SGEIS “puts no limitation on the total number of gas wells that could be developed within a specific area. This means that there will be no control of the cumulative impact on air, land, water, wildlife or people.” Click here for the complete article
October 5, 2009, MPNnow.com: Gas Drilling Coming to the Finger Lakes? Public forum. Experts inform and answer questions. Pre-register: [email protected], (www.fmce.org), or call (585) 392-4918. On hand will be Wes Gillingham, program director for Catskill Mountain Keeper (catskillmountainkeeper.org)Click here for the complete article
October 2, 2009, Mid-Hudson News Network: Cahill supports Marcellus Shale gas drilling as short term energy source Catskill Mountainkeeper, meanwhile, said while the DEC offers a few new controls and protections, “It is dramatically inadequate in offering reasonable solutions that the public deserves.” Click here for the complete article
October 1, 2009, Times Herald Record: DEC drafts regulations for gas drilling “The devil is in the details,” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, the Sullivan-based environmental group. Click here for the complete article
September 24, 2009, The River Reporter: Calling on Congress – 160 groups support the FRAC Act nationwide Local groups pushing for increased regulation of gas drilling in the Upper Delaware Valley have gained high profiles in recent months; groups such as Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, Catskill Mountainkeeper and Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy have often found their way into the news.Click here for the complete article
September 21, 2009, CityLimits.org: City wants answers, input on upstate drill plan Catskill Mountainkeeper, working in concert with over 20 other environmental organizations, is urging the DEC to extend the period for public comment beyond the regular 30-day window. Click here for the complete article
September 19, 2009, Times Herald Record: Senators’ Views Could Hurt Casino Chances “This is a very important letter for us in trying to stop these things,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, among several environmental groups opposing casinos.” Click here for the complete article
September 17, 2009, The River Reporter: Gas news at a glance Catskill Mountainkeeper program director Wes Gillingham will host a viewing of a film about a drilling boom in the Rocky Mountains which had wide-reaching nergative impacts on the lives of the residents. Click here for the complete article
September 17, 2009, The River Reporter: An exemption by another name “They’re stretching the truth and trying really hard to prevent the FRAC Act from becoming law.” said Wes Gillingham, program director of Catskill Mountainkeeper Click here for the complete article
September 1, 2009, Times Herald Record: Gas Industry Prepares to Drill In Sullivan “Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Wes Gillingham is particularly concerned about tapping state lands for natural gas. And because gas corporations plan to lease many sites — “where it strategically enhances our existing leasehold,” Chesapeake said — environmental groups want standards to include “cumulative” impacts, not individual ones. “If Chesapeake is looking at 15 (sites) on the Delaware, how can you just do a statement for one?” asked Gillingham. “That’s the scariest aspect, the industrialization of the landscape.” Click here for the complete article
August 29, 2009, Albany Times Union: Casinos Too Risky In The Catskills – Op-Ed by Mark Izeman and Ramsay Adams “The nation’s top Indian Affairs official, Larry Echo Hawk, visited one of New York’s most scenic and ecologically distinctive regions — the Catskill Mountains — on Wednesday. He is being asked to consider two widely contrasting visions for securing economic vitality today and into the future.“ Click here for the complete article
July 10, 2009, The Times Herald Record: Sullivan County Planning Model Farm: Group Wants to Educate Public, Raise Income – “With the average age of a farmer now around 55, Wes Gillingham of the Catskill Mountainkeeper organization says bringing new blood into agriculture is important. Legislator Jodi Goodman, chairwoman of the Planning and Environmental Management Committee, said the project was taking Sullivan back to its roots, when you had to wait for cows to pass in order to cross the street. “What’s new is really what’s old,” she said.“ Click here for the complete article
July 7, 2009, The Times Herald Record: Gas Drilling Co. Begins Application: Flags Raised Over Water Withdrawal – “The prominent environmental group Catskill Mountainkeeper is dead set against the withdrawal.”We don’t want to see any at this point because there are too many unanswered questions,” says its executive director, Ramsay Adams. Those questions — about pollution and environmental destruction — are why the Department of Environmental Conservation has postponed issuing new regulations for gas drilling.” Click here for the complete article
July 2, 2009, The Times Herald Record: Sullivan County Saves Beaverkill Campground – “News of the closing had created a hubbub. The Catskill Mountainkeeper, a nonprofit environmental group, began circulating a petition on the Internet to keep the camp open. And there was a joint meeting of the chambers of commerce for Roscoe and Livingston Manor to address the economic losses small business would suffer without the campers. That got the county’s attention.” Click here for the complete article
June 24, 2009, The Ithaca Journal: Activist: Drilling in New York Needs Scrutiny – “Wes Gillingham, of event organizers Catskill Mountainkeeper, also showed aerial photos of a rural Pennsylvania drilling site that confirmed many of their fears – drilling sites and gravel pits popping up in a seemingly random pattern alongside houses, farms and churches; pipelines and access roads zigzagging across the landscape; holding ponds overflowing its potentially chemically contaminated waste water; and dozens of large freight trucks lined up in fields.” Click here for the complete article
June 4, 2009, The River Repoter: DSGEIS: Officials, organizations call for time and access – “In a similar move, Catskill Mountainkeeper and 18 other organizations have signed a letter to Governor David Paterson asking that he “direct the DEC” to schedule at least seven regional public hearings, including one in New York City, with a public comment period of no less than 60 days.” Click here for the complete article
April 15, 2009, The Earth Island Journal: Will There Be Blood? The Battle Over New York’s Marcellus Shale – “One thing that’s happened,” says Wes Gillingham, Program Director of Catskill Mountain Keeper, “is that this whole issue has awakened people to the complexity of hydro fracking and the whole issue of regulatory oversight and whether it’s adequate or not. And to the basic question of whether it can be done safely at all.” Click here for the complete article
April 10, 2009, The Oneonta Daily Star: Drilling Opponents Form Area Coalition – “David Cyr, of Delhi, said Thursday that CDOG was organized just a few days after its founding members attended a Catskill Mountainkeeper-sponsored educational forum on gas drilling, held June 26 in Walton.“ Click here for the complete article
April 2-8, 2009, The River Reporter: Krieger Signs Gas Lease – “Livingston Manor and nearby Roscoe are important trout fishing centers, with two rivers running through the area. Ramsey Adams, the executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, said that the quality of the water in the area is critical to the region, and that gas drilling is an issue that needs careful examination.“ Click here for the complete article
March 27, 2009, The Ithaca Journal: Natural Gas Forum Draws 200 People – “Wes Gillingham, program director for the Catskill Mountainkeeper, argued that neither Cayuga Heights nor the DEC can assure the public the material is safe because without knowing what to test for initially, they can’t know what they’re putting into Cayuga Lake.” Click here for the complete article
March 12-16, 2009, The River Reporter: Groups Unite for Beaverkill Campground – A meeting hosted by Catskill Mountainkeeper in Livingston Manor on March 7 drew members of various organizations who pledged to lobby officials in Albany to open the facility, which contributes to the economic health of area. Ramsey Adams of Mountainkeeper said that the closure would save the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which operates the campground, perhaps $10,000 to $15,000, but the loss to the region would be far greater. Click here for the complete article
March 10, 2009, Mid-Hudson News: Sullivan County makes offer to state to run Beaverkill – Supporters of the campground, including Catskill Mountainkeeper and local chamber of commerce in Roscoe and Livingston Manor, have said the region benefits from the tourism dollars brought in by people who stay at the campground. Click here for the complete article
March 5, 2009, Mid-Hudson News: Community groups unite to save the Beaverkill Campground, ROSCOE – The Catskill Mountainkeeper organization, the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the Beaverkill are teaming up to lobby for the state to keep the Beaverkill Campground open this summer. Click here for the complete article
January 13, 2009, The Times Herald-Record: Green organizations team up in Sullivan The groups held their first meeting Thursday in Monticello. Others attending included the Sullivan Alliance for Sustainable Development, Catskill Mountainkeeper, The Delaware Highlands Conservancy and The Basha Kill Area Association. Representatives from the Gerry Foundation and Sullivan County Planning Department also attended. Click here for the complete article
December 3, 2008, The River Reporter: Tips on Giving Gas Drilling Testimony “Wes Gillingham, the program director for Catskill Mountainkeeper, said gas drilling could lead to a “massive industrialization of the region,” and added that many pieces are missing from the existing DSGEIS, such as a study of the impact of additional traffic on roads. Ramsay Adams, the executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, said that he hoped the testimony from residents would address some of the social issues that have come with gas drilling in other states, such as the boom-and-bust economic cycle that can occur.” Click here for the complete article
November 21, 2008, The Wayne Independent: Environmental Groups Urge Citizen Participation “The DEC will need to respond to all issues raised as part of the scoping process in some way. Individual and organized testimony will raise the issues that will help to ensure further protections for our region,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper. click here for the complete article
October 16, 2008, Albany Times Union: DEC to Shield Water in Gas Boom by Brian Nearing “I have serious doubts about the health of any stream or river that will be taking this fluid over time and slowly releasing it into the environment,” said Wes GIllingham, Program Director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper. click here for the complete article
September 21, 2008, New York Magazine: Got Gas? By David French “The environmental groups Riverkeeper and Catskill Mountainkeeper have demanded an all-out ban above the city’s watershed. At a special hearing on the issue two weeks ago called by City Councilman James Gennaro, Speaker Christine Quinn expressed alarm. “We can’t allow drilling to proceed until we know what the consequences will be,” she said. “We should not move forward at this time.” click here for the complete article
September, 8, 2008, The Oneonta Daily Star: Groups Urge Hold On Gas Drilling “The Catskill Mountainkeeper, a nonprofit advocacy group, has sent similar letters to the governor.“ click here for the complete article
August 18, 2008, River Reporter: Beaverkill Covered Bridge Protected by Fritz Mayer“Ramsay Adams, executive director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper, said, “The Beaverkill Covered Bridge has been a focal point of community here for more than 150 years. This historic recognition will ensure that it continues to be a symbol of the Beaverkill for future generations and provide an important link in one of the state’s first Catskill campgrounds.”click here for the complete article
August 14, 2008. Queens Tribune: Gas Drilling Could Affect Drinking Water Supply by Noah C. Zuss Ramsay Adams, Executive Director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, agrees. “Catskill Mountainkeeper strongly supports Council Member Gennaro’s call for a moratorium on gas drilling until a complete environmental review is completed that looks at the cumulative impacts that gas drilling in the Catskills will have not only on New York City’s drinking water but also on the Catskill region as a whole,” he said. “Anything less than a total moratorium on gas drilling in the Catskills until a cumulative environmental review is completed is imprudent.” click here for the complete article
August 13, 2008, Queens Gazette: Gennaro Warns of Threat to City Water Supply by John Toscano “The practice has been opposed by numerous environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the New York-based Riverkeepers, the Catskill Mountainkeeper, the Sierra Club and the Earthwatch Oil and Gas Accountability Project.”click here for the complete article
August 13, 2008. Times Herald Record: State Promises Strict Oversite of Gas Drilling by Steve Israel “The state will also make sure that gas companies reveal the ingredients of the fluid used in the horizontal drilling process known as fracking — a concern of environmental groups such as Sullivan County’s Catskill Mountainkeeper” click here for the complete article
August 1, 2008, The Oneonta Daily Star: More than 1,500 sign gas leases By Tom Grace “Far bigger bucks will be involved if the wells produce, but costs to municipalities will soar as well, according to Ramsay Adams, executive director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper. In late June, the environmental group held a hearing in Walton, where people from Colorado and Wyoming talked about contaminated wells, roads ruined by 30-ton rigs, and areas scarred by drilling.” click here for the complete article
July 30, 2008, The Ithaca Times: East Coast Gas Rush? By Taryn Thompson “Meanwhile, the Catskill Mountainkeeper, at catskillmountainkeeper.org, provides videos, first-hand accounts, and more information on getting organized and informed about the issues surrounding oil and gas development.” click here for the complete article
July 29, 2008, The Sullivan County Democrat: Catskill Mountainkeeper Gaining Notoriety, By Dan Hust. “The Youngsville office – staffed by Gillingham, Executive Director Ramsay Adams and Office Manager Beth Scullion – is filled with maps, brochures, newspapers and folders, representing the enormous breadth of the gas issue. Its windows look out on Route 52 and a community that will likely feel the effects of this profitable but controversial industry. Take a look at how Gillingham and Mountainkeeper view it:” click here for the complete article
July 27, 2008, The New York Times, Our Towns: The Light is Green and Yellow on Drilling“That was enough of a cautionary yellow light to placate some of those deeply worried about the environmental consequences of drilling. Assemblywoman Donna A. Lupardo, a Democrat who represents a district around Binghamton and voted against the bill, said Mr. Paterson clearly heard and responded to the environmental concerns.Others were less sure. On Friday, eight environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Wilderness Society, the Catskill Mountainkeeper and the Riverkeeper, sent Mr. Paterson a letter seeking a moratorium on drilling activity until the environmental impact statement is adopted.” click here for the complete article
July 3, 2008, The New York Times, Our Towns: A Land Rush Is Likely so a Lawyer Gets Ready“The meeting, organized by the Catskill Mountainkeeper environmental group, included both curious landowners and staunch environmentalists, many of whom wanted not to regulate gas drilling in the state, but to stop it.“
click here for the complete article
July 3, 2008, The River Reporter: Limits of Local Control: Roads, Noise, Pollution and Gas Drilling Safety Discussed, By Fritz Mayer. “The forum, which was sponsored by the Catskill Mountainkeeper and the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management, also brought a lot of talk about the unanticipated impacts that drilling will bring.”
click here for the complete article
June 29, 2008, The New York Times, Our Towns: Gas Drillers in Race for Hearts and Land., by Peter Applebome “Most of the meetings have focused on just such issues of what landowners can do to maximize their return and control. This one, sponsored by the Catskill Mountainkeeper environmental group, featured presentations by landowners and environmental and citizens’ advocates like Jill Morrison of the Powder River Basin Resource Council in Sheridan, Wyo., and Peggy Utesch of the Grand Valley Citizens Alliance in New Castle, Colo.”
click here for the complete article
June 20, 2008, The Middletown Times Herald Record. Bill would notably impact Sullivan County: Horizontal drilling wells would be allowed for first time in N.Y., “In some ways, the existing law is probably better right now because it slows the process down a bit,” said Wes Gillingham, program director for the Catskill Mountainkeeper environmental group. “The new law opens up the opportunity for oil companies to move at a faster pace.”
