NEW BERLIN – The Central New York Landowner’s Coalition is sponsoring two meetings on Saturday at Unadilla Valley Central School in New Berlin for members and their guests who are in favor of responsible gas drilling.

Organizers say they anticipate between 2,000 and 3,000 to attend, and are hoping the gatherings make a loud statement to local and state politicians.

“We must have a show of strength to show our politicians that we represent many, many votes,” said Richard Lasky, president of the group.

The coalition’s membership has become increasingly frustrated, Lasky said, with the state’s ban on hydrofracking in the Marcellus and the Utica while nearby Pennsylvania landowners have been profiting from leasing their mineral rights. The Department of Environmental Conservation has been in the process of redrafting its natural gas drilling regulations for about two years.

“The time is now for us all to make a huge statement going into the latter part of the DEC’s process,” he said.

Topics to be addressed include the latest information on the proposed regulations, recent gas leasing activity in the region, the varying geology of the coalition’s range, and the increasing value and marketability of its holdings.

The Central New York Landowner’s Coalition (CNLC) was started in May 2008 by a small group of neighbors who represented a total of 1,200 acres in New Berlin and Norwich. Today, the group boasts nearly 170,000 acres in five counties.