On October 1, 2009, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) released a draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS) on the Oil, Gas, and Solution Mining Regulatory Program, which governs natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.  DEP is conducting a comprehensive review of the DSGEIS and will provide extensive comments.

DEP is deeply concerned about the potential impacts that natural gas drilling poses to water quality, available water supply, and critical water supply infrastructure.  Every day, DEP's watershed provides safe, healthy drinking water to half of New York State's population or 9 million residents living throughout the five boroughs and upstate communities.  In addition to various potential impacts identified by initial assessments, DEP is particularly concerned with the serious risk that natural gas drilling could contaminate ground and surface water supplies in the watershed.

Prior to the release of the DSGEIS, on September 25, 2009 DEP sent the following letter and presentation to NYS DEC Commissioner Grannis.  In the letter, DEP asks that DEC request State DOH conduct a study of the potential water quality impacts associated with natural gas exploration in the watershed.  The presentation that accompanied this letter was delivered at the NYC Water Board meeting and provides a summary of initial analysis and significant risks associated with gas drilling in the watershed.

On October 15, 2009 the New York State Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation held a hearing on NYS DEC’s release of the DSGEIS governing natural gas drilling.  The New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection also held a hearing on natural gas drilling on October 23, 2009.  DEP testified at both hearings.