Protect the Catskills from Drilling

60,000 gas wells planned for upstate New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed opening massive swaths of New York State to drilling. If his plan succeeds, state officials estimate that a staggering 60,000 wells could be drilled in New York — including thousands in the Catskills.

The governor is pushing to start drilling as soon as possible, without doing critical research on the environmental and health effects, or putting stringent protections on the books. In Pennsylvania, a similarly reckless approach to drilling has led to:

• More than 2,700 environmental violations by the gas industry in just the past few months;
• A drinking water advisory for more than 325,000 residents near Pittsburgh;
• Explosions and accidents that have put local families and workers at risk.

PennEnvironment, our sister group, produced a series of short films documenting how Marcellus Shale drilling has upended the lives of Pennsylvanians. Watch the videos to learn more about what could be in store for New York if the state moves ahead with drilling.

At stake: Thousands of acres in the Catskills, and drinking water for millions

If you know the Catskills, you know what’s at stake. The Catskills are a beloved getaway where generations of New York families have learned to love the great outdoors — whether it’s hiking in the mountains, camping with your kids by a forested valley creek or just breathing in the fresh country air. At the same time, the Catskills region also provides 9 million New Yorkers with some of the nation’s purest tap water.

What would drilling bring? Pipelines slicing through wilderness areas. State forests and wooded mountains destroyed. Toxic chemicals poisoning local streams, and threatening the drinking water for millions.

So many of us have learned to love the great outdoors in the Catskills. But our children may not get the same opportunity, if Gov. Cuomo gets his way.

With your activism and our advocacy, we can protect the Catskills from drilling

We refuse to let Gov. Cuomo open the places we love to reckless drilling — and we have a plan to stop him. We’re bringing together New Yorkers from all walks of life to protect the Catskills, and all of New York, from the threat of drilling. All of us — hunters, hikers, farmers, anglers, tourism businesses, and New Yorkers across the state — have something to fight for.

From Westchester County to Saratoga Springs to the Upper West Side, our citizen outreach staff have been knocking on doors and talking to New Yorkers on the street about what’s at stake. We’re also testifying in Albany, educating lawmakers, and shining a spotlight in the media on the need to protect the Catskills — and all of New York — from drilling.

Thousands of you have joined the fight too. Across the state, you’re calling or emailing your legislators, signing petitions, spreading the word to your friends and family, and attending hearings and rallies.

Your activism and our advocacy are a powerful combination — in 2010, it convinced then-Gov. David Paterson to set the nation’s first temporary moratorium on drilling. But with the moratorium about to expire, Gov. Cuomo has made his move to open the state to drilling.

We need you to get involved if we’re going to defeat the governor’s plan once and for all. If enough of us speak out, we can ensure the Catskills — and all of New York — stay protected from drilling. Join our campaign by sending Gov. Cuomo a message today.