Today is the last day to get a letter postmarked to be considered by DEC in their decision whether or not to allow HydroFracking in New York State. Apparently, snail mail is more effective in swaying their decision than emails. Here's what I wrote:

dSGEIS Comments
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-6510

Dear DEC-

I have lived in the Hudson Valley for over a decade, and in New York State for most of my 48 year life.

One of the great treasures of the Hudson Valley and Catskills is its clean water. For years I have swam in the lakes, streams and creeks of Valley, and the drinking water has always been without equal. Regrettably, during my life, I have not been able to enjoy waters of the Hudson River, as the taint of pollution (particularly PCBs) rendered it off limits—instead of a being vibrant source of tourism, recreation and commerce, it's a lifeless wasteland running through the state.

I am writing today to express my strong opposition to the use of Hydraulic Fracturing for gas drilling anywhere in New York State.

Having read and listened to both sides of the gas drilling debate, I feel the risk of polluting our drinking water far outweighs the financial benefit to be gleaned by a small percentage of landowners. The remediation of water contamination is extremely expensive, and will inevitably fall on the backs of New York State Taxpayers, rather than the companies that cause the contamination. Considering the State's current fiscal condition, it would be foolish to allow the liability of "hydrofracking" to weigh on our finances.

My home is extremely well insulated. I've installed a solar hot water heating system, and will follow up with photovoltaic panels in a few years. I drive a hybrid vehicle. I, and other New Yorkers have demonstrated that we are ready to change our energy consumption habits to preserve and reclaim our environment. Please do not allow an entrenched interest group to push through a ruling that is arcane and counter to the interests of New York Residents and their progeny.
Thank you.


Evan Marks
Publisher, Gunks.com

And here are some links with some further information if you're interested:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=DSGEIS_Responses

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/fracking/fracking-action-center/activist-tools/
http://www.United for Action.org
http://frackaction.com/content/action-center

Heaven help us from our elected representatives.

Great letter!