NORWICH – Chenango County lawmakers this week finally decided to create a special committee that would monitor natural gas exploration and drilling and focus on the county’s responsibilities and options.
Gas companies have been aggressively targeting property owners throughout the Southern Tier and Appalachian Basin to lease land for wells and pipeline corridors. New methods for reaching more lucrative layers of the energy source have raised the stakes, with landmen offering upwards of $3,000 an acre plus royalties.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has permitted more than 65 wells in Chenango County, and a town official said there are 21 more planned in Preston alone.
County Chairman Richard B. Decker asked Peter C. Flanagan, D-Preston, to head up the committee before a meeting of Chenango County Board of Supervisors Monday. It was not voted on. Richard Schlag, D-German; James B. Bays, D-Smyrna, and George G. Coates, I-Columbus, volunteered to serve.
The committee’s parameters have not been established, including meeting dates and other possible members. Flanagan said he hopes the committee can stay on top of developments, understand the state’s real property tax system for gas wells, consider leasing county land and/or entering into compulsory integration, help to protect roadways and water sources, and guide safe waste water storage and/or disposal.
“We will take a comprehensive look at all aspects of the situation,” he said. “I would hope that our committee deals with the facts of the matter, not hysteria. There’s a lot to learn, and they are coming fast. We need to be prepared on any number of levels.”
The county’s planning and economic development committee recommended forming a gas committee back in May. In June, the full board of supervisors discussed the referral, but opposed it. Planning and Economic Development Committee Chairwoman Linda E. Natoli, R-Norwich, backed away, saying she questioned “government sanctions on private enterprises.” Following the meeting, Supervisor Bays said, “It sounds to me like the county would like to deal with regulatory issues dealing with protecting the environment and safety after the fact.”
