Guilford considers watershed designation
GUILFORD – With gas drilling on many people’s minds, the Guilford Town Board invited Steven Winkley, a water resources specialist from New York Rural Water Association, to speak about changing the designation of the town’s lake area.
Winkley explained that designating the watershed area around Guilford Lake as a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) would provide additional oversight for any future building or repair around it.
Several voiced concerned that the designation would make it difficult to bring gas drilling into the area, an option many believe would create jobs.
“The recent job fair in Binghamton saw 3,000 people looking at jobs in the industry,” said Dick Furman of Guilford. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe if you designate the area as a CEA, the gas drills won’t come and we’ll miss a major opportunity.”
Winkley attempted to dispel a number of myths regarding the CEA designation.
“This does not create any new rules, regulations, or additional permits,” he said. “It also does not grant any new permit or operating authority, or any other government jurisdiction that did not exist before.”
Winkley also said the CEA designation would not prohibit gas drilling, only provide another layer of review and inspection before approval.
Town Supervisor George Seneck said the board would review the information provided by Winkley and vote on the issue at the next board meeting. He said there would be no public referendum.
The board also met in executive session with Samuel Streiff and Helen Stromberger, owners of lakefront property that the town has traditionally been permitted to use for public swimming.
Winkley explained that designating the watershed area around Guilford Lake as a Critical Environmental Area (CEA) would provide additional oversight for any future building or repair around it.
Several voiced concerned that the designation would make it difficult to bring gas drilling into the area, an option many believe would create jobs.
“The recent job fair in Binghamton saw 3,000 people looking at jobs in the industry,” said Dick Furman of Guilford. “If I’m not mistaken, I believe if you designate the area as a CEA, the gas drills won’t come and we’ll miss a major opportunity.”
Winkley attempted to dispel a number of myths regarding the CEA designation.
“This does not create any new rules, regulations, or additional permits,” he said. “It also does not grant any new permit or operating authority, or any other government jurisdiction that did not exist before.”
Winkley also said the CEA designation would not prohibit gas drilling, only provide another layer of review and inspection before approval.
Town Supervisor George Seneck said the board would review the information provided by Winkley and vote on the issue at the next board meeting. He said there would be no public referendum.
The board also met in executive session with Samuel Streiff and Helen Stromberger, owners of lakefront property that the town has traditionally been permitted to use for public swimming.
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