The village of Horseheads is poised to grant an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) waiver to Schlumberger (the largest servicer of gas drilling operations in the world) for the 67 acre plant they plan for Horseheads. Both the Planning Board and Village Board meet this week. Especially if you live in Chemung County, please fax the Village Board and Planning Board at (607) 739-3941. Below is a sample letter.
Dear Mayor Ziegler and Planning Chairman Fortier:
As residents of Chemung County, we are appalled to hear of the Boards’ consideration of waiving the requirement for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Schlumberger Technology Corporation Project. This is likely the most significant project to come to our county in history. The impacts of the Schlumberger plant and of the larger Marcellus Shale development could have major impacts on our communities for generations to come.
You have been elected to be “stewards of the air, water, land and living resources, and have an obligation to protect the environment for the use and enjoyment of this and all future generations”, according to SEQR. The Schlumberger Project is a Type 1 action, and is expected to have significant environmental impacts. These include the storage and transport of hazardous chemicals, the threat to drinking wells, aquifers and the Susquehanna River Basin, major land disturbance and storm-water run-off, major impacts from truck traffic throughout Chemung County and beyond, air pollution, noise etc.
It is imperative that you stop and take time to go through the complete envi ronmental review.
The very fact that Schlumberger is requesting a waiver, that the Board is considering it, and that the site preparation has already begun, shows a lack of compliance with SEQR, a lack of respect for the citizens of this county, and does not speak well for the honesty and integrity of Schlumberger or the Board.
Please do the right thing here. Require and review the EIS for this major, potentially harmful project.
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