Right on time for its July 1 deadline, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation will be releasing its recommendations for the statewide regulation of hydraulic fracturing today. There will be a big press conference (viewable via webcast) at 11am discussing the recs, so for now, here's a look at the highlights of what will be discussed, as summed up in a press release from the DEC yesterday:
- High-volume fracturing would be prohibited in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds, including a buffer zone;
- Drilling would be prohibited within primary aquifers and within 500 feet of their boundaries;
- Surface drilling would be prohibited on state-owned land including parks, forest areas and wildlife management areas;
- High-volume fracturing will be permitted on privately held lands under rigorous and effective controls; and
- DEC will issue regulations to codify these recommendations into state law.
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