WALTON _ More than 200 people gathered at the Walton Theatre on Thursday night to hear about the problems and pitfalls of drilling for natural gas.
The forum, sponsored by the Catskill Mountainkeeper, was attended by property owners, real-estate agents, local officials and representatives from civic organizations, among others. The theater seats about 400.
Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper program director, said new technology, the Millennium Pipeline and the price of gas have launched a new interest in the Marcellus shale in the Catskill Region.
Gillingham introduced three experts from western states that have experienced natural-gas drilling to share their experiences and first-hand knowledge.
Jill Morrison, an organizer for the Powder River Basin Resource Council of Sheridan, Wyo., recommended that area residents and officials "get out in front of (gas drilling) and shape it to benefit your communities."
Morrison described the miles of roads, pipelines, power lines, pits and ponds that followed natural-gas drilling in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. She warned that there are unexpected effects.
Residents faced issues such as noisy compressor stations and hundreds of semi-trucks on the roads.
"Dust from traffic and air quality became huge issues," Morrison said. "Emissions from the wells make ozone levels increase."
Peggy Utesch, of New Castle, Colo., is a member of the Western Colorado Congress and the Grand Valley Citizens' Alliance. She said gas drilling destroyed her dream of developing her own small farm and retirement haven. In response, she said, she used her public relations skills to help communities develop action plans.
"Be proactive," Utesch said. "Educate yourselves and your community. Insist on being able to participate and insist on getting a fair shake."
Utesch talked about hidden problems for communities, including unexpected growth that stresses infrastructure and schools; strains on emergency services; heavy traffic and damage to roads and bridges; and housing shortages and skyrocketing rents.
Bruce Baizel, an Earthworks Oil & Gas Accountability Project staff attorney from Colorado, is the author of natural-gas regulation bills that have passed in New Mexico and Colorado to safeguard environmental health.
Baizel said he has been researching New York laws governing gas drilling and has found that many potential problems are not addressed, including setback regulations, hazardous-waste considerations and bonding.
"This is industrial development," Baizel said. "The pace of development matters. Speed is not in the best interest of the people or the community."
Baizal added that "in general, gas wells do not increase property values, and accidents happen because it is industrial activity."
Another such informational meeting will be held tonight from 7 to 9:30 at the Liberty High School Auditorium in Liberty. The site was changed Thursday from a smaller venue and the registration requirement waived.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
