Open Meetings and Freedom of Information for Community Activists

THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES OPENS NEW FACILITY in Schoharie County as brick and mortar center for community activism.

The Center is located at 296 Main Street, Richmondville New York and is open to the public. Office hours are Monday and Wednesday 9 AM until noon and Thursday evenings from 6 Pm until 8 PM. NOTE: Due to vacations office hours for the months of April and May are by appointment. For more information call: 518-872-3903 or SEND US AN EMAIL

Natural gas pipeline under construction

CABOT-WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES NEW CONSTITUTION PIPELINE ROUTE impacting hundreds of property owners across the region.

At a special meeting filled with angry residents, Williams representatives, which included lobbyist and former Republican candidate for governor John Faso, presented the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors with maps showing what they are calling the new "preferred route” for the 127 mile long 30” high pressure natural gas pipeline that would dissect the county, running as close as 150 feet from homes. In at least one case a resident indicated the proposed route would be less than 75 feet from their residence.

CLICK HERE to view maps of the proposed pipeline route through Schoharie County.

CLICK HERE to view maps of the proposed "Preferred Route" and "Alternate Route M" pipeline route through the Davenport area. NOTE: the Davenport area maps are not as detailed as those presented for Schoharie County. As soon as clearer maps become available they will be posted on this site and the Stop the Pipleine site.

HYDRO-GEOLOGIST FILES AFFIDAVIT WITH DEC ON BEHALF OF THE CENTER, saying that water contamination is assured if fracking is allowed.

Paul Rubin, an independent consultant and former NY City DEP scientist has filed a comprehensive affidavit with the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation in which he states that the unique geological formations underpinning much of Upstate NY will act as a vector for contamination of private drinking water wells and entire aquifer systems if hydraulic fracturing is allowed to be conducted in the region. Mr. Rubin says that the “draft regulations provide recommended setback distances from well pads that are so short that they will do little to protect the water resources of New York State, inclusive of aquifers and homeowner wells.” He goes on to say that the setback distances prescribed in the DEC’s draft regulations on fracking “have no defensible scientific or hydrologic basis and thus, fail to fulfill the Cuomo administration’s stated intent that hydraulic fracturing regulations will be based on science.”.

CLICK HERE to read the affidavit submitted to the NY State DEC on behalf of the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities.

CLICK HERE to read a whitepaper detailing potential contamination paths that would result in a substantive risk to NY State water supplies if fracking is allowed .

THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES OFFERS FREE CONSULTING AND TRAINING for local governments, citizen’s groups and individuals on subjects related to building sustainable rural communities, including: land use policies, comprehensive planning, sustainable agriculture, environmentally-compatible economic development, open government and expanding access to technology and the arts in rural areas. For more information call: 518-872-3903 or SEND US AN EMAIL

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On Thursday November 8th the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities in partnership with SUNY-Cobleskill Liberal Studies Department presented Robert Freeman, Executive Director, NY State Department of State, Committee on Open Government. Mr. Freeman spoke about open government and freedom of information regulations in NY State, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for transparency in local government.

Hundreds rally at Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta, New York calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to stop the proposed 127 mile long Constitution pipeline.

CLICK HERE to visit Stop the Pipeline for more information.


Geologist Paul Rubin discusses earthquake faults and aquifers at press conference in Albany, NY on January 23, 2012)



Mike Shuster, left, and Lisa Zaccaglini, both of Sharon Springs, N.Y., hold signs during a rally against hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale region of the state, at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

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