Today, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) requested that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) extend the period for public comment on the proposed natural gas drilling in Vestal from July 29 until at least August 26, 2005. Click here to view the July 28th letter to Denise Sheehan, Acting Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. Lupardo is a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee in the Assembly.

The DEC is proposing to lease 21,000 acres of state reforestation for oil and gas development and exploration. Included in the proposal is 512 acres at the Tracy Creek State Forrest in Vestal. Extending the public comment period will provide the opportunity for concerned residents to submit written comments and testimony to the DEC on the proposal.

Lupardo will be holding a meeting for residents at the Vestal Public Library on Monday, August 22nd, at 6:30 pm. She has invited representatives from the DEC to attend to answer questions and accept comments from residents.