Town drilling regulations

Here’s a look at the actions related to gas exploration adopted and under review by Tompkins County towns.

Ithaca: Adopted Road Excavation Law; Studying Road Use Preservation Law; Considering Critical Environmental Areas Legislation; Considering a zoning law to ban gas drilling in the town.

Dryden: Added industrial noise ordinance to new zoning code: Considering a zoning law to ban gas drilling in the tow:; Considered Critical Environmental Areas Legislation; Considering a zoning law to ban gas drilling in the town: Considering Aquifer Protection Ordinance; Contract with engineering firm to conduct Road Use Assessments for possible Road Use Preservation Law.

Lansing: Conducting Road Assessments with highway staff for Road Use Preservation Law.

Ulysses: Considering a zoning law to ban gas drilling in the town: Created a Citizen’s Advisory Board on Gas Drilling: Contract with engineering firm to conduct Road Use Assessments for possible Road Use Preservation Law: Funding stream monitoring by the Community Science Institute for water quality data: Passed legislation prohibiting town water from being used for gas drilling purposes.

Enfield: Adopted Road Excavation Law: Conducting citizen survey on attitudes toward gas drilling: Considering contract with engineering firm to conduct Road Use Assessments for possible Road Use Preservation Law.

Groton: The town is considering a road use assessment, and citizens are forming a landowners’ consortium to negotiate with drilling companies regarding leasing.

Newfield: Adopted Road Excavation Law: Contract with engineering firm to conduct Road Use Assessments for possible Road Use Preservation Law;

Danby: Adopted Stormwater Management Law: Adopted Road Excavation Law: Contract with engineering firm to conduct Road Use Assessments for possible Road Use Preservation Law: Working with first-responders to prepare for gas drilling accidents/emergencies: Researching possible noise/light protection ordinances: Considering Critical Environmental Areas Legislation: Citizens preparing petition for gas drilling ban.

Caroline: Adopted Road Excavation Law: Considering conducting Road Use Assessments for Road Use Preservation Law.

Two Caroline Town Board members, Linda Adams and Peter Hoyt have placed a resolution on the agenda of the June 14 board meeting that would prevent the town from taking any action to prohibit high-volume hydraulic fracturing.