Gas drilling in paradise

ELDRED, NY — The Eldred Preserve is known for luring visitors to the area to catch fish from the stocked ponds, such as this one, that are located on the facility. But soon the preserve may also become known for hosting gas wells that will seek to tap into the Marcellus Shale. According to a lease filed in the Sullivan County clerk’s office, the Eldred Preserve has signed an agreement with a gas company to allow for the extraction of gas. A spokesman for the preserve did not return a call seeking comment.

This is a list of six property owners in Sullivan County that had recorded gas leases with the county clerks offce as of July 28. There is a lag between the time leases are signed and the time they are recorded with the clerk’s office, so other leases may have already been signed.

• Eldred Preserve, Route 55 in Highland, with Cabot Oil & Gas, 1,736 acres, signed on June 5, 2008.

• Excelsior Hunt Club, Route 55 in Highland and Bethel, with Cabot Oil & Gas, 1,747 acres, signed on May 10, 2008.

• Steven Campfield, Skipperene Rd., Tusten, with Cabot Oil & Gas, 55 acres, signed on May 31, 2008.

• Carlton Sutcliff, Johns Rd. and County Route 116, Cochecton, with Cabot Oil & Gas, 93 acres, signed on March 17, 2008.

• Kenneth Peters, Peters Rd. and W. Killie Rd., Fremont, with Chesapeake Appalachia, 650 acres, signed December 1, 2007.

• John Baden, Simmon Rd., Fremont, with Chesapeake Appalachia, same area, 68 acres, signed December 3, 2007.