Proposed Resolution of Support for Town of Barton Gas Test Well

To be discussed at the October 13 Regular Meeting

DRAFT FOR REVIEW

TOWN OF CANDOR

RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR

THE SNYDER FARM GROUP NATURAL GAS WELL DEVELOPMENT

  

WHEREAS, the Town Board and Supervisor of the Town of Candor have a vital interest in protecting the community’s health, safety and welfare, as well as its undeveloped open space and the family farms that are the backbone of its economy; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Candor Town Board and Supervisor strongly believe in and support the rights of private property owners to explore and recover the mineral resources of their land; and

  

WHEREAS, the Snyder Farm Group has applied for state permits to develop a natural gas well in the Town of Barton; and

WHEREAS, the proposed means of stimulating and recovering the natural gas is proven, safe and reliable; and

WHEREAS, natural gas exploration, development and delivery are compatible with and not disruptive to our rural way of life; and

WHEREAS, the Snyder Farm Group controls 100 percent of the land beneath which the natural gas would be harvested; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has referred to the proposed means of stimulating and recovering the natural gas as “environmentally friendly”; and

WHEREAS, the proposed means of stimulating and recovering the natural gas uses no water and, therefore, is not covered by New York State’s proposed ban on high-volume hydraulic fracturing; and

WHEREAS, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has the necessary resources and technical expertise to ensure that exploration, development and delivery of natural gas are conducted in ways that are protective of human health and the environment; and

WHEREAS, natural gas development strengthens America’s energy security and provides a clean alternative to sources of energy that are linked to global climate change; and

WHEREAS, under current New York law Town Boards have the authority to limit or encourage natural gas development in their Town as they choose; and

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Candor believes that the majority of the Town of Candor’s citizens are in favor of safe natural gas development in our Town; and

WHEREAS, respect for the will of the people, as expressed through their local elected representatives, is a cornerstone of our democracy;

NOW THEREFORE, be it RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of the Town of Candor strongly endorses and supports the Snyder Farm Group’s proposal to explore and develop the mineral resources under their private property; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Candor urges the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to conduct a thorough but timely review of the Snyder Farm Group’s proposal that examines factual evidence, science and technology; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Tom Reed, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Tom O’Mara, Assemblyman Christopher Friend, County Legislator Raymond Case, County Legislator Dale Weston, County Legislator Marte Sauerbrey, County Legislator William Standinger and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens.