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LEWISBORO, NY - If you were in the neighborhood of the Lewisboro Library, Town House and Post Office recently, you may have run into Rachelle Boyer and Daniel Gradess. Boyer and Gradess are representatives of the environmental group, Environment New York.
The two were in town Monday to raise awareness about potential oil and gas drilling in the Catskills and the environmental impact that could result. They were also soliciting donations to help combat it.
New Yorks moratorium on gas drilling expires later this summer and the group is concerned that if drilling is allowed to proceed, it could threaten the Catskills region and the states water supply.
Environment New Yorks says gas and oil companies are already lobbying Albany hard to allow the drilling as soon as the moratorium expires. The group cites the state of Pennsylvania as an example of what can happen when drilling is permitted. It claims the state suffers from clear-cut forests and contamination in its local streams.
The group also contends that more 6,000 wells could be built throughout the Catskills region, bringing excessive truck traffic and noise.
The group is trying to organize a write-in campaign to Gov. Cuomo urging him to resist the lobbying efforts.
Boyer said people in Lewisboro have been receptive to the message and the donation solicitation was going well.
Everyones been pretty nice, she said. So far, between the two of us, we've raised more than $225 in pledges.
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