The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) yesterday released its eagerly awaited draft environmental impact statement which, after public comment and final adoption, will guide the state in issuing permits for drilling in the natural-gas-rich Marcellus Shale region.

In developing the 500-page document, the DEC said it studied the potential impacts of :

(1) water withdrawals

(2) transportation of water to the site

(3) the use of additives in the water to enhance the hydraulic fracturing process

(4) space and facilities required at the well site to ensure proper handling of water and additives

(5) removal of spent fracturing fluid from the well site and its ultimate disposition, and

(6) potential impacts at well sites where multiple wells will be drilled during a three-year period.

Here’s where you can view the entire Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement On The Oil, Gas and Solution Mining Regulatory Program

The public comment period will end on November 30, 2009.

There are three ways to submit comments:

1. By using an on line submission system which allows for written comments and attachments

2. By submitting e-mail comments (include your name, e-mail or return mail address to ensure you will receive notice of the Final SGEIS when it is available)

3. By submitting written comments to:

Attn: dSGEIS Comments

Bureau of Oil & Gas Regulation

NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources

625 Broadway, Third Floor

Albany, NY 12233-6500.

Related:

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NY regulators propose pre-emptive checks of gas wells

Schlumberger Presses for Shale-Gas Openness as Regulation Looms

Bad economy? Not in the Marcellus Shale

USGS report drills into Marcellus Shale concerns

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