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An attorney with the Community Environmental Defense Council, a pro bono, public interest environmental law firm based in Ithaca, will present information on hydraulic fracturing, the controversial method of obtaining natural gas from underground deposits in shale that entails forcing toxins into the ground, during the Dec. 27 meeting of the Manheim Town Council.
David Slottje is drafting a yearlong moratorium on gas drilling for the town and has been invited by Supervisor John Haughton to talk about hydraulic fracturing and the legal issues related to banning it.
“He will be able to provide a wealth of information about the concerns related to hydrofracking and the legal issues with it,” said Haughton during Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council.
Haughton and Trustee Peter Jaikin attended a similar presentation led by Slottje in St. Johnsville and said they were so impressed with his knowledge on the subject they invited him to speak in Manheim.
“He is able to explain everything in a way that is easily understandable,” said Jaikin.
The town council last month voted to proceed with drafting a moratorium on natural gas and petroleum activities — including high volume hydraulic fracturing — to give the town time to update its ordinances to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents. Additionally, the council said the moratorium will give them more time to sort through the pros and cons of the issue.
“I want to commend the town for doing the responsible thing and moving forward with the moratorium,” said Karen Goyette, a town resident who attended Tuesday night’s meeting.
“It’s a very informative presentation and I hope people from other towns will attend as well,” said town resident Karin Yomboro, who also thanked the town council for drafting a moratorium.
In advance of the Dec. 27 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the town hall on Route 167, Haughton said he would work with town Highway Superintendent Carl Stallman to develop a list of water sources in the town of Manheim that could be effected by hydrofracking.
“It’s an essential step as we move forward with the preparation of the moratorium,” said Haughton of the water source list. “There is a lot to consider with the issue, including the need for a road protection plan. It’s not as simple as saying ‘don’t come in and drill’ or ‘come in and drill.’”
An attorney with the Community Environmental Defense Council, a pro bono, public interest environmental law firm based in Ithaca, will present information on hydraulic fracturing, the controversial method of obtaining natural gas from underground deposits in shale that entails forcing toxins into the ground, during the Dec. 27 meeting of the Manheim Town Council.
David Slottje is drafting a yearlong moratorium on gas drilling for the town and has been invited by Supervisor John Haughton to talk about hydraulic fracturing and the legal issues related to banning it.
“He will be able to provide a wealth of information about the concerns related to hydrofracking and the legal issues with it,” said Haughton during Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council.
Haughton and Trustee Peter Jaikin attended a similar presentation led by Slottje in St. Johnsville and said they were so impressed with his knowledge on the subject they invited him to speak in Manheim.
“He is able to explain everything in a way that is easily understandable,” said Jaikin.
The town council last month voted to proceed with drafting a moratorium on natural gas and petroleum activities — including high volume hydraulic fracturing — to give the town time to update its ordinances to protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents. Additionally, the council said the moratorium will give them more time to sort through the pros and cons of the issue.
“I want to commend the town for doing the responsible thing and moving forward with the moratorium,” said Karen Goyette, a town resident who attended Tuesday night’s meeting.
“It’s a very informative presentation and I hope people from other towns will attend as well,” said town resident Karin Yomboro, who also thanked the town council for drafting a moratorium.
In advance of the Dec. 27 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at the town hall on Route 167, Haughton said he would work with town Highway Superintendent Carl Stallman to develop a list of water sources in the town of Manheim that could be effected by hydrofracking.
“It’s an essential step as we move forward with the preparation of the moratorium,” said Haughton of the water source list. “There is a lot to consider with the issue, including the need for a road protection plan. It’s not as simple as saying ‘don’t come in and drill’ or ‘come in and drill.’”
