ALBANY, NY (05/16/2012)--In response to a new Siena College Research Institute poll of registered voters in New York State, the New York Water Rangers released the following statement:

"Support for fracking in Upstate communities likely to see gas drilling has dropped to historic lows and the gap between fracking boosters and those who oppose dirty drilling has never been wider. New York's leaders take heed: people likely to be impacted by fracking don't want it.

The new Siena poll also shows what the New York Water Rangers already know to be true: the more people know about the risks of fracking, the less likely they are to support it. New Yorkers are educating themselves about the problems fracking has caused across the country and the need for stronger regulations.

The Water Rangers continue to call on Governor Cuomo and his Department of Environmental Conservation to listen to New Yorkers and let science and strong protection of public health and the environment--not industry propaganda--determine if fracking should be permitted in the Empire State."


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper. Visit www.CleanWaterNotDirtyDrilling.org to learn more.

ALBANY, NY (05/15/2012)--In response to the release today of a report by the University at Buffalo's Shale Resources and Society Institute, "Environmental Impacts During Shale Gas Drilling: Causes, Impacts and Remedies," the New York Water Rangers released the following statement:

"The report's emphasis on fracking's purported economic benefits indicates that it may not be an objective assessment of the efficacy of government oversight of fracking. The report attempts to deflect concerns about the documented dangers associated with fracking by focusing on only one indicator of fracking-related pollution–violations–and drawing rosy conclusions based on that limited information.

The report fails to consider other complex problems, such as those related to wastewater treatment and disposal, public health impacts, degraded air quality, and industrialization of communities, among others, all of which cannot be captured by a review of known violations. While the report reviewed violations that are documented by state regulators in Pennsylvania, a large number of violations are never found, reported, or resolved. It is premature for the authors to presume that problems are declining or would not occur in New York, as scientific understanding of the impacts of fracking is just beginning to emerge and regulations have not been updated to address the current and planned scope of industrial activity."

The New York Water Rangers continue to call on Governor Cuomo and his Department of Environmental Conservation to let science and strong protection of public health and the environment, and not industry propaganda, determine if fracking should be permitted in the Empire State.


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper.

NY Water Rangers Redouble Efforts to Protect Waters & Communities from Fracking

ALBANY, NY (05/01/2012)--In response to a postcard distributed today by the Independent Oil & Gas Association featuring the New York Water Rangers, the Water Rangers released the following statement, attributable to New York Water Ranger Adam LeFevre:

"As a New Yorker and on behalf of Water Rangers everywhere, I'm outraged that agents of the gas industry would use my heroic image to spout pro-fracking hyperbole and mock someone with valid concerns about fracking.

I will redouble my efforts to safeguard our state's waters and again call on Governor Cuomo to join me and tens of thousands of New Yorkers across the state in our quest to protect our communities from fracking.

Be warned frackers--the New York Water Rangers will protect our bodies of water."


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper.

Water Rangers Applaud Senate Minority for Last-Ditch Effort to Fund Study of Fracking's Health Impacts in NYS Budget

ALBANY, NY (03/28/2012) - In response to a budget amendment introduced by the State Senate Minority, the New York Water Rangers and Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter released the following statement:

"The Water Rangers and our friends at Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter applaud the State Senate Democratic Conference for insisting that New York's leaders study the science of fracking before giving industrial gas drilling a green light.

By calling for an independent, comprehensive health impacts assessment of fracking, the Senate Minority is heeding the call of experts--the Medical Society of New York, the Academy of Family Physicians, Nurses Association, American Academy of Pediatrics District II, and hundreds of individual physicians and scientists--who see the failure to order such a study as a glaring omission in the state's fracking plans.

An independent and comprehensive study of fracking's health impacts must be completed before a science-driven decision can be made about whether or not gas drilling is permitted in New York.

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Governor Cuomo, NYS Senate Block Assembly Efforts to Study Fracking's Health Impacts

Groups Applaud NYS Assembly for Calling for Fracking Study

ALBANY, NY (03/26/2012)--In response to the release of relevant sections of the state budget for 2012-13, the New York Water Rangers, Frack Action, and Sierra Club-Atlantic Chapter released the following statement:

"Based on what we've seen of the state budget, New York's leaders should drop their false rhetoric of studying the science of fracking. By refusing to budget for an independent health impacts assessment, Governor Cuomo and Senate Majority Leader Skelos are ignoring the Medical Society of New York, the Academy of Family Physicians, the Nurses Association , the American Academy of Pediatrics District II, more than 250 physicians, scientists, and other healthcare experts and professional associations, tens of thousands of New Yorkers, and dozens of environmental groups who recognize the lack of such a study as a fatal flaw in the state's fracking plans.

The Governor insists that science will determine if New York State allows industrial gas drilling by means of fracking. But failing to study gas drilling's health impacts is another an example of science being ignored as negative heath effects among people and animals living near gas facilities have been documented nationwide, including as close as Pennsylvania.

The Assembly, particularly Speaker Silver, Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Sweeney, and Health Committee Chair Gottfried, deserve praise for calling for an independent study of fracking's health impacts.

It's not too late for our leaders to support an independent study of fracking's health impacts, which must be completed before a science-driven decision can be made about whether gas drilling is permitted in New York."


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper.

NY Water Rangers & Allies Applaud Assembly on Fracking Health Study

Groups Praise NYS Senate & Assembly for Cutting Budget Transfer Language

ALBANY, NY (03/12/2012)--In response to the release of the State Senate and Assembly budget proposals, the New York Water Rangers, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, Damascus Citizens for Sustainability, Frack Action, Sullivan Area Citizens for Responsible Energy Development, and Westchester for Change released the following statement:

"Governor Cuomo insists that science is guiding the state's decision regarding whether industrial gas drilling by means of fracking will be permitted in New York. But to date, the state has failed to study fracking's health impacts--a glaring omission.

Following the recommendation of more than 250 physicians and health professionals, legislators in the Assembly, particularly Speaker Silver, Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Sweeney, and Health Committee Chair Gottfried, deserve praise for calling for an independent study of fracking's health impacts. The Assembly is leading the charge to provide state leaders with the science necessary to make an informed decision about gas drilling. A full assessment of fracking's health impacts must be completed before a decision can be made about whether gas drilling is permitted in New York.

Both the State Senate and the Assembly earned our thanks for cutting budget language that would give Governor Cuomo authority to transfer resources between state agencies without legislative oversight. The Governor should not have the power to single-handedly create a fracking program without input from the Legislature.

We now call on Governor Cuomo, the State Senate, and the Assembly to protect New Yorkers from the dangers of fracking by mandating an independent health study and keeping the enacted budget frack-free."


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper.

In response to today's ruling by Justice Donald F. Cerio, Jr. for the Otsego County Supreme Court, the New York Water Rangers released the following statement:

"For the second time in one week, a state Supreme Court has ruled that state law does not prohibit communities from regulating the use of land by the oil and gas industry. New Yorkers in Middlefield, like their compatriots in Dryden, warmed up their slingshots and hoped for the best when they took aim and acted to prevent fracking for natural gas in their town.

The New York Water Rangers applaud the citizens of Middlefield and Dryden, NY, whose commitment to safeguarding their communities from fracking resulted in the zoning provisions upheld by the courts.

Like the Dryden ruling earlier this week, today's ruling in Town of Middlefield case proves again that ordinary citizens, and the local governments who listen to them, have power to determine the character of their communities for themselves."


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper.

NY Water Rangers Applaud Court Ruling to Uphold Dryden Fracking Ban

ALBANY, NY (02/22/2012)--In response to the ruling by state Supreme Court Justice Phillip Rumsey, the New York Water Rangers released the following statement:

"The New York Water Rangers applaud the citizens of Dryden, NY, whose dedication to protecting their community from the dangers of industrial gas drilling resulted in a zoning amendment prohibiting gas development that was upheld in the Court's decision. In particular, the Water Rangers applaud the Dryden Resources Awareness Coalition, Helen and David Slottje of the Community Environmental Defense Council, Inc., and our water ranger partner, Earthjustice. We also commend the Town Board for listening to the people of Dryden and standing firm in defense of local zoning power in the face of a major industry attack.

The Town of Dryden has proven in court that ordinary people–not multinational energy companies–have power over the character of local communities. "


The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper.

NY Water Rangers Celebrate Assembly's Action to Close New York's Hazardous Waste Loophole

ALBANY, NY (02/13/2012)--In response to the State Assembly's approval today of a bill to close a loophole in state law that exempts waste from conventional gas drilling, as well as by means of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," from the state's hazardous waste laws, the New York Water Rangers released the following statement:

"The New York State Assembly, under Speaker Silver and Assemblyman Sweeney's leadership, took a critical step today to protect our water, families, and communities from fracking by closing a loophole that allows the gas industry to escape the state's hazardous waste laws. Requiring drillers to test, track, treat, and properly dispose of hazardous waste would finally bring the gas industry in line with every other hazardous waste-producing industry in New York.

Without this bill, the Department of Environmental Conservation will continue to impose a blanket loophole, which allows all oil and gas drillers to avoid hazardous waste laws, even when drilling wastes are hazardous. In practice this means hazardous wastes could be disposed of at municipal sewage plants ill-prepared to remove fracking chemicals or drilling-related toxins, spread on roadways, and even dumped in local landfills. To protect our communities from fracking, the New York Water Rangers call on the State Senate to pass the bill and send it to Governor Cuomo's desk. "

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The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources-water-from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000, and Riverkeeper. Visit www.CleanWaterNotDirtyDrilling.org to learn more.

NY Water Rangers Encouraged by Gov Cuomo's Frack-Free Budget Proposal

ALBANY, NY (01/17/2012)—In response to the release of Governor Andrew Cuomo's Executive Budget Proposal for 2012–2013 today, the New York Water Rangers, a partnership of environmental and community groups working to protect the state's waters and communities from the dangers of industrial gas drilling by means of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking," released the following statement:
  
"Governor Cuomo has clearly taken his foot off the gas pedal and appears to be taking to heart the state’s obligation to conduct a thorough environmental review before deciding whether to proceed with industrial gas development by means of fracking in New York. By not including industry-exaggerated fracking revenue or ramping up agency staff to process drilling permits, the Governor's budget proposal signals that he’s not rushing to judgment and is giving the Department of Environmental Conservation the time necessary to review and respond to the more than 40,000 comments the agency has received on the state's fracking proposals.
  
The New York Water Rangers are encouraged by the executive budget proposal and Governor Cuomo's recent statements on fracking, which demonstrate he's adopted a more responsible approach to considering the issue."
  
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The New York Water Rangers campaign is supported by a network of organizations working to protect the rights and health of New Yorkers and one of our most precious environmental resources—water—from the dangers of irresponsible, poorly regulated and under-inspected natural gas exploration and development. The campaign is supported by Catskill Mountainkeeper, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Earthjustice, EARTHWORKS Oil & Gas Accountability Project, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environment New York, Fleased, Natural Resources Defense Council, Otsego 2000 and Riverkeeper.