Dear Friends, 

This note is especially addressed to those of you who do not usually spend time in Callicoon or its beautiful rural environs. If you are interested in knowing what everyone here has been talking about please read on — if you live in New York City, or in other places in the US, the issue could very likely effect you directly. 

The hamlet of Callicoon sits on the Delaware River. I can see the river from the rear window of the gallery. The hamlet also sits on top of what is known as the Marcellus Shale Formation. This ancient geologic formation extends throughout much of Appalachia and includes a large section of the Northeast. It is contiguous with the Delaware River among many other rivers, as well as with the watershed area that is directly linked to the unfiltered water supply of many places downstream, including New York City. 

The Marcellus Shale Formation also happens to contain untapped natural gas reserves. The gas has been trapped in the stone for millennia. However, over the last few years energy companies have been leasing land and have begun to drill for the gas. The natural gas industry claims that the drilling process is safe.

The natural gas industry is lying. Worse, their drilling activities are proceeding without regulation. Drilling for the Marcellus Shale gas involves a process called hydrofracking, or “fracking”. Millions of gallons of chemically laced water are injected into the ground to create enough pressure to break up the rock and free the gas. Dozens of toxic chemicals are used in the process, and huge quantities of the poisonous fracking fluid remain underground forever, a constant threat to our aquifers. 

There have been hundreds of instances of drinking water contamination all across the country, and now the gas companies want to drill here - in the Delaware River Basin, one of the most pristine rivers in the Northeast, and the source of drinking water for one in ten Americans.

Don’t get fracked! Please take a moment to learn more about this issue by watching the trailer for the documentary GASLAND, by Pennsylvania resident Josh Fox. The film was recently awarded a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. I also recommend this 24 minute interview with the filmmaker. 

Then take action! Go to Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy and click on the Take Action buttons to let your legislators know that you want your environment and your water protected. I urge you to make a demand for environmental protections, for clean water, and a ban on gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

With thanks, 

Photi