Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Endwell) announced today the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) decision to adopt a "no surface entry" restriction to prohibit drilling on the state land at the Tracy Creek forest in Vestal, NY.

"I applaud the DEC’s decision to restrict the drilling on state land," Lupardo said. "This shows how active citizen participation can affect public policy."

The DEC is planning to lease 19,250 acres of state reforestation for oil and gas development and exploration. Included in the proposal are the subsurface mineral rights at the Tracy Creek State Forest in Vestal (512 acres); however, drilling in the forest will be prohibited.

Lupardo held a meeting for residents at the Vestal Public Library on August 22, 2005, with representatives from the DEC to attend to answer questions and accept comments from residents. She also wrote the DEC Commissioner to request an extension of the public comment period in order to provide the opportunity for concerned residents to submit written comments and testimony to the DEC on the proposal.

The DEC has indicated that a response will be sent to all individuals who submitted comments on the proposal. The response, along with information concerning the leasing plans and process are available online at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dmn.

Lupardo is a member of the Environmental Conservation Committee in the Assembly.

Note: DEC News Release available online at http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dmn/leasing/proposed.html