First Hydrofracking Meeting in Little Falls, NY

            On February 14, 2012 the first of three public meetings took place in the city of Little Falls at the Senior Community Center,  located on 524 East Main Street.   David Slottje, an attorney for the Community Environmental Defense Council, led the information session and explained the technical terms of hydrofacking. He answered many questions the public had about possibly allowing hydrofracking in the city of Little Falls.

            Slottje explained that the city was drafting a moratorium, which allows the community to discuss the proposal of either having or prohibiting hydrofracking.  To hydrofrack means to drill horizontally at least 8,000 ft. deep, both ways, in order find critical water resource and to explore and extract natural gas and petroleum.   A concern that hydrofracking brings to the city of Little Falls, involves health problems, such as being exposed to radon and where the disposal of waste will be placed.  If hydrofracking comes to Little Falls, Slottje expressed the historic landscape of Little Falls would be ruined and an increase of traffic congestion would occur, with result of more car accidents.

Slottje stated,  “The DEC has not approved any permits for drilling, as of right now, we are still in the moratorium stage which allows the community to discuss this proposal."

             Mr. Slottje explained why he decided to be the guest speaker at the public information session.  “I grew up in Broome County.   My parents still live there and they wanted me to come over and see the damage that hydofracking brought to my hometown.  I cried and actually vomited when I saw what they were doing.  I knew as an attorney I could do something about it.”  Slottje also mentioned his opinion of Governor Andrew Cuomo, who agrees with hyrdrofracking. Slottje spoke openly about Cuomo and stated that,  “Cuomo doesn’t care about anyone in this room or in the New York state.  He just wants to be president in 2016.  He’s a sharp elbow.”

            A geologist will speak at the next information session on February 21 at 6:00 pm at the Senior Community Center in Little Falls.  The public is allowed to come and ask questions regarding hydrofracking.  This meeting will focus on the positive outcomes of hydrofracking and the benefits it will bring to the city.