(c) 2009, sterling environmental engineering, p.c. 1 a proactive municipal response to natural gas...

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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A PROACTIVE MUNICIPAL A PROACTIVE MUNICIPAL RESPONSE TO NATURAL RESPONSE TO NATURAL

GAS DEVELOPMENTGAS DEVELOPMENT

December 2, 2009December 2, 2009Mark P. Millspaugh, P.E.Mark P. Millspaugh, P.E.

Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

24 Wade Road24 Wade Road

Latham, New York 12110Latham, New York 12110

(518) 456-4900(518) 456-4900www.sterlingenvironmental.com

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Natural Gas Drilling and the State Natural Gas Drilling and the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)

Site Specific Environmental ReviewSite Specific Environmental Review

Generic Approach for Environmental Generic Approach for Environmental ReviewReview

Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS)Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) Original GEIS Issued 1992Original GEIS Issued 1992 Supplement Underway to Address Horizontal Drilling Supplement Underway to Address Horizontal Drilling

TechnologyTechnology

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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NYSDEC StaffingNYSDEC Staffing

Thousands of Drilling ApplicationsThousands of Drilling Applications

Staff of 19 PeopleStaff of 19 People

Generic Environmental ReviewGeneric Environmental Review Review of individual applications will be minimal if Review of individual applications will be minimal if

application is consistent with GEIS. application is consistent with GEIS.

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Supplemental Draft GEIS (SDGEIS)Supplemental Draft GEIS (SDGEIS)

Currently out for public comment. Currently out for public comment.

Mandated environmental compliance and Mandated environmental compliance and minimum required Best Management minimum required Best Management Practices (BMPs) are summarized. Practices (BMPs) are summarized.

Public comment periodPublic comment period ends 12/31/09. ends 12/31/09.

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PreemptionPreemption

What is “Drilling Activity”?What is “Drilling Activity”?

Role of local government is Role of local government is limited.limited.

Environmental compliance Environmental compliance standards & permit requirements.standards & permit requirements.

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PreemptionPreemption(continued)(continued)

Local approvals.Local approvals. Road, local government has clear authority.Road, local government has clear authority. Site Plan/Special Use?Site Plan/Special Use? Building Permits?Building Permits? Zoning?Zoning? Local Ordinances?Local Ordinances? Stormwater?Stormwater?

Other potentially applicable Other potentially applicable permits:permits:

Wetland (Army Corps.)Wetland (Army Corps.) Stream disturbanceStream disturbance StormwaterStormwater

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SEQRASEQRA

Actions:Actions: Type 1Type 1 Type 2Type 2

Interested and Involved AgencyInterested and Involved Agency Lead AgencyLead Agency

Lead Agency DisputeLead Agency Dispute

Coordinated Environmental Review Coordinated Environmental Review (NYSDEC must coordinate if local (NYSDEC must coordinate if local permits/approvals are required)permits/approvals are required)

Findings of SignificanceFindings of Significance AdjudicationAdjudication

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What can local government do?What can local government do?

Get immediately involved in the GEIS Get immediately involved in the GEIS process:process:

Identify local resources to be protected.Identify local resources to be protected. Identify all applicable and relevant local statutes and Identify all applicable and relevant local statutes and

regulations.regulations. Identify local rulemaking opportunities to strengthen Identify local rulemaking opportunities to strengthen

local position.local position. Communicate with NYSDECCommunicate with NYSDEC

Provide detailed written comments on SDGEIS.Provide detailed written comments on SDGEIS. Build a record.Build a record.

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What can local government do? What can local government do? (continued)(continued)

Force local involvement in individual Force local involvement in individual permit applications:permit applications:

Force coordinated SEQRA review.Force coordinated SEQRA review. Assure that drilling triggers the need for local Assure that drilling triggers the need for local

permits/approvals.permits/approvals. Influence NYSDEC permitting decisions & specific Influence NYSDEC permitting decisions & specific

permit conditions.permit conditions.

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Identify Local ResourcesIdentify Local Resources

• Aquifers & Aquifers & UsersUsers

• WetlandsWetlands• FloodplainsFloodplains• HabitatsHabitats• RoadsRoads

• Sensitive Land UseSensitive Land Use ParksParks PreservesPreserves Scenic VistasScenic Vistas HospitalsHospitals SchoolsSchools Residential AreasResidential Areas

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Identify Local ResourcesIdentify Local Resources(continued)(continued)

• Applicable Applicable Local LawsLocal Laws

Road Protection Road Protection OrdinanceOrdinance

Noise Noise OrdinanceOrdinance

Fugitive LightFugitive Light Stormwater Stormwater

(MS4)(MS4)

• Archeological & Archeological & Historic Resources Historic Resources and Structuresand Structures

• Sensitive Sensitive ViewshedsViewsheds

• Wild, Scenic, Wild, Scenic, Recreational RiversRecreational Rivers

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Identify Local ResourcesIdentify Local Resources(continued)(continued)

Communicate this information to Communicate this information to NYSDEC during the comment period NYSDEC during the comment period on the SDGEIS. on the SDGEIS.

• This places NYSDEC on notice that the This places NYSDEC on notice that the identified resources are important to identified resources are important to local government.local government.

• Keep comments balanced & Keep comments balanced & professional.professional.

• Do not overreach. Do not overreach.

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Individual NYSDEC Permit ReviewIndividual NYSDEC Permit Review

Identify lands under lease.Identify lands under lease. Closely monitor NYSDEC permitting Closely monitor NYSDEC permitting

activity.activity. Force coordinated SEQRA review where Force coordinated SEQRA review where

feasible and appropriate.feasible and appropriate. Influence specific permit conditions to Influence specific permit conditions to

address significant local issues.address significant local issues. Stand your ground.Stand your ground. SEQRA adjudication.SEQRA adjudication.

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Individual PermitsIndividual Permits

Assert legitimate local issues and Assert legitimate local issues and seek permit conditions:seek permit conditions:

NoiseNoise Visual Impacts & Fugitive LightVisual Impacts & Fugitive Light Emergency Services, 911 ResponseEmergency Services, 911 Response Tree Removal/Land ClearingTree Removal/Land Clearing Local RoadsLocal Roads Site ReclamationSite Reclamation

Create appropriate legal foundation for Create appropriate legal foundation for permit decisions and challenges under permit decisions and challenges under SEQRA.SEQRA.

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Additional ConsiderationsAdditional Considerations

• Host AgreementHost Agreement• Emergency Response PlanEmergency Response Plan• Local Site Plan ReviewLocal Site Plan Review

General Site LayoutGeneral Site Layout Road Construction (and impact on Road Construction (and impact on

future subdivision)future subdivision)

• Aquifer ProtectionAquifer Protection• Stormwater Mandates (MS4)Stormwater Mandates (MS4)

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Additional ThoughtsAdditional Thoughts

• Drilling will happen, be reasonable Drilling will happen, be reasonable and realistic.and realistic.

• Strong local support for drilling.Strong local support for drilling. Recognize the economic benefit.Recognize the economic benefit. Be respectful of leaseholders interests.Be respectful of leaseholders interests.

(c) 2009, Sterling Environmental Engineering, P.C.

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Mark P. Millspaugh, P.E.Mark P. Millspaugh, P.E.PresidentPresidentmark@sterlingenvironmental.com

24 Wade Road24 Wade RoadLatham, New York 12110Latham, New York 12110(518) 456-4900(518) 456-4900www.sterlingenvironmental.com