By LINDA KELLETT

C-S-E News Staff

TOWN OF PALATINE — The town of Palatine has joined a growing number of municipalities seeking information about the process of natural gas hydrofracking that’s been proposed for areas in the state with Marcellus and Utica shale formations.

Former Palatine Town Councilwoman Marcia “Marcy” Matis, who operates a dairy farm in the town with her husband, Bruce, expressed concern about the drilling technique during the December meeting.

Summing up her remarks at that time, she noted that a cow producing 60 pounds of milk drinks about 30 pounds of water a day. Multiplied by the number of cows on their farm, she said, “If the water is ruined, we’re out of business.”

Hydrofracking, which uses chemicals, sand or other substances, and large amounts of water to force natural gas from deep underground shale deposits, has been connected with potential health hazards, contamination of groundwater, and diminished air quality in some places where the practice has been allowed.

Proponents of the gas-extraction technique claim that the process is safe and clean. Others in favor of the process argue that it has the potential to provide an enormous economic benefit.

In mid-January, Matis presented town officials with a slew of information pertaining to the controversial practice, which continues to be reviewed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

Among the documents she produced was an undated pro-dairy alert reminding local farmers about a looming deadline related to water-use reporting and permit requirements under an August 2011 law.

As noted in the action statement, “... [T]he reporting of water usage provides NYSDEC information to manage the state’s water resources. The changes bring consistency in water use reporting across the watersheds in [New York state] and were developed in anticipation of increased water use for hydrofracking activity.”

A Jan. 25 news release from the DEC indicates that under the law, a state permit is required “for most water withdrawals that meet or exceed a threshold of 100,000 gallons per day.”

Additionally, the release notes that “[f]arms that currently use an average of 100,000 gallons of water per day in any 30-day period must also report their water use by February 15, 2012 in order to receive an exemption from the permit requirement. Public water supply systems will continue to need permits as required.”

Other materials supplied to the town council by Matis included articles about hydrofracking-related law suits; the web address for the town of Dryden, which has proposed amendments to their zoning law; and information about the Community Environmental Defense Council.

According to the organization’s website, www.cedclaw.org, the CEDC helps “communities and citizen groups in New York whose land, air, water, health, and quality of life are threatened by resource extraction activities and associated industrialization.”

Councilwoman Betty Sanders during the town’s January 18 meeting noted that she also had done some research on the issue. Based on information she gleaned from the Internet prior to the meeting, she said most of what she found was negative; and she would “definitely do what [she] can to see that it doesn’t come up this way.”

Palatine Councilman Richard Becker on Tuesday said that he had reviewed Matis’ “bad stuff” and would like to find out if “anything good” has been written about the process before he makes any decisions about the issue.

“I’d like to know the benefits and the dangers,” he said. “I think a lot of it is who’s doing the work.”

From what he’s read, Becker said poor piping and workmanship seem to be causing a lot of the problems associated with hydrofracking.

Town Supervisor Brian Sweet said he’s planning to invite a speaker to attend an upcoming town council meeting so officials can become better informed about the drilling process. Members of the town planning board and zoning board of appeals would also need to get involved, he said, as revisions to the town zoning laws might be in order.

While there’s been no discussion to date about the adoption of a moratorium in the town, Sweet said it will likely be addressed.

He said, “I know it’s been happening all over. All the towns south of here have been getting on board. We do have some shale in this town, so it’s possible hydrofracking could come.”

Sweet continued, “I wouldn’t want something to come in the area that the residents didn’t have a chance to voice their opinion on.”

He estimated that by sometime in March there would have been adequate time for public comment as well as the fulfillment of any additional requirements for the enactment of a moratorium.

A moratorium is good for a year, he said, noting it could be extended; “but we’d have to show progress.”

Becker said he would likely support the moratorium so that town officials could learn more about the process.