Delaware, NY Dives Into Property Rights!
Last week, the Town of Delaware, New York, Sullivan County passed the recommended natural gas resolution composed by the Joint Landowners Coalition affirming their commitment to allow safe, responsible natural gas development in their community. Residents in Delaware feel they should be able to choose what they do with their property and mineral rights. A landowner’s property is their biggest asset and investment, something we all work to improve and hold on to. These residents are more than capable of making informed decisions about how their land is used and are ready for permitting to begin in New York.Prior to last Wednesday, the Town of Delaware maintained a neutral stance on the natural gas development issue. At Wednesday’s meeting, though, they voted overwhelmingly, 4-1, to adopt the resolution. The resolution read as follows:
“Be it hereby resolved that any landowner or entity that owns the rights to minerals within the corporate bounds of the Town of Delaware has the right to determine how they exercise and protect their mineral rights in accordance to the laws of the State of New York and to the laws of the United States of America. Be it further resolved that if gas drilling does come into the Town of Delaware, that those who are involved in the process of gas drilling and those who regulate the gas drilling process see to it that the entire process of gas drilling be made in a responsible and safe manner.”
Of course the anti-natural gas development crowd was shocked and begged the board, who had just welcomed natural gas development based on facts and science, to consider a ban or moratorium instead. When emotional appeal and scare tactics didn’t work in their favor, they resorted to threats and bullying to change the outcome of the evening. Luckily for the landowners in Delaware, the board was not intimidated by these desperate threats and held firm to their position.
Shale Resolutions Versus Non-Shale Bans
Approximately 45 towns in New York State have passed similar resolutions. The towns hope by passing the resolutions they will send a clear message to the natural gas industry they are open for business. If and when the Department of Environmental Conservation allows permitting, these towns will give their constituents the freedom to choose whether or not they will develop their minerals.
Attorneys David and Helen Slottje have admittedly (at their meeting in Newfield, New York) said they have been working on getting towns to pass bans for years. It’s crazy to think they have been doing this for 2-3 years and they only have approximately 115 towns signed on to their cookie cutter moratorium/ban. Further, most of the towns and villages that have passed bans or moratoriums are completely out of the shale region while those adopting resolutions of support are located within the shale region.
Sending A Clear Message
Other groups in Sullivan County have expressed their support for natural gas exploration in a different way–with a billboard! The Sullivan County Farm Bureau, businesses and residents now have a billboard (below), on Route 17 headed northbound between the Monticello and Liberty exits. As one can see from the sign, there are many in Sullivan County who disagree with part-time neighbor, Mark Ruffalo, on what the people of the county need to improve the economic situation in the county.
Several businesses, groups, and individuals in Sullivan County are ready to welcome the natural gas industry to the region, and it was nice to hear another town has upheld the property rights of their constituents. As we get closer to the approval of permits in New York, it is becoming more and more clear the towns within the shale play have taken the time to educate themselves and are prepared for the opportunity development could mean for their communities.
Bubba News
Posted at 17:23h, 28 JuneMark Ruffalo …. You know the rich movie star who stood up as a one percenter against the one percent with the occupy wall streeters…. Applied for and recieved a $20,000.00 grant to put solar on his home just to avoid the question “do you use NG” Ofcourse everyone realizes that grants are taxpayers funds that poor people cant get and rich like Ruffalo exploit.
FS Blank
Posted at 23:37h, 28 JuneDid the residents of Delaware sign a petition asking that their town be fracked? Did the Town Board have a public hearing on the matter? Was there any attempt to make it as fair a process as the moratoria and bans process is?
Tom Shepstone
Posted at 00:05h, 29 JuneThere were numerous meetings at which anti-gas folks attempted to get the town board to do their will against the interests of a majority that had just spoken at an election in November. They pushed, and they pushed and the finally got the vote they asked for. It just didn’t turn out the way they hoped.
Carol Pipkin
Posted at 23:02h, 29 JuneSo, you’re sayin that there were no pubic hearings, or petitions? There was no head count?
So how come you are complaining about those towns that elected officials that are anti fracking? Wasn’t that a majority that spoke in November? Let’s face it. In any area where a petition has been circulated, the majority of people in any particular town has been against
fracking. That is the reason the Pro drilling side has never tried to pass around a petition. Their only hope is to get Town Board members (most of which have land to lease) to approve the “approval of fracking.”
Tom Shepstone
Posted at 23:13h, 29 JuneZoning and property rights aren’t a matter of applause or we’re all in trouble and have no rights.
Fred
Posted at 14:50h, 30 JuneFunny how elections work, pro development supporters get elected and the minority claim to be the majority, some how it just doesn’t add up, sour grapes perhaps?
As far as I know this was a resolution verifying and supporting the rights of landowners under the current zoning laws not taking rights away like the towns are that have choosen to institute bans on development through zoning ordinances.
Ralph Liberto
Posted at 21:14h, 11 JulySo those residents who have not leased their land, who have not signed on to this declaration, will never less be forced to bear the burden of the impacts on their property, air, and water? The majority of land owners will face degraded valuations of their mortgages, and increased tax burdens due to the degradation of their community. In the long run, everybody loses — except those who take their windfall to Florida. EID wants to promote this as a rights issue — ignoring the rights of the majority of land owners. If EID were truly egalitarian about this, they would support a compact which spreads the profits across all landowners.
Tom Shepstone
Posted at 21:27h, 11 JulyEvery resident does benefit by increased economic activity and as valorem tax revenue generated by natural gas development. That IS the profit sharing. Moreover, your assertions about damages are totally speculative and completely without foundation.
David Binkowski
Posted at 22:58h, 11 JulyIt’s NOT profit sharing. Profit sharing is “a system in which employees receive a share of the net profits of the business.” Local residents who choose not to frack or who are ineligible do not receive ANY of the benefits of fracking but suffer all of the consequences. By your logic we should be able to house prostitution rings and drug activity because it helps the local economy. Wake up.