NORWICH – The focus of a landowners’ rights forum tonight will most likely address litigation issues that could result from the exploration and drilling of natural gas, according to Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers.

While the exact number of Chenango County acres leased for drilling is unknown, companies such as Nornew, Inc. of Norway have been aggressively leasing land here since the late 1990s. Formations targeted include the Herkimer, Oneida, Utica and Marcellus, the latter which experts have predicted holds $1 trillion worth of the energy source.

Vickers is one of a handful of speakers asked by New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office to address the forum from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight in the Norwich High School auditorium. In addition to representatives from the New York State Attorney General’s office, New York State Assemblymen Clifford Crouch, Gary Finch and Peter Lopez will also make presentations, followed by a question and answer session.

Dennis McCabe, the Binghamton region’s assistant to the Attorney General, said the focus will be on protecting landowners and making sure they understand their rights. “It’s a very important subject matter. We are using this opportunity to encourage landowners to consult with an attorney and understand that things are negotiable.”

Landowners in a handful of municipalities have leased rights to their property at bonus prices that have fluctuated from as low as $5 an acre to up to $2,400 over the past decade. Vickers said he receives at least one call per day from a disgruntled landowner - most often a senior citizen - who feels they have been wronged by a landman or the terms of a leasing contract.

“You can’t believe the number of calls I get. It’s sad,” he said. “Some (complaints) are probably valid, but some (callers) just wished they’d gotten more money and want to get out of the lease. Unless there’s some legal violation there, that’s the really sad part, they are locked in.”