Willsboro, NY, Jun 22, 2012 — In the final hours of the session yesterday, lawmakers in Albany pushed through two bills that would amend the state constitution for the Adirondack forest preserve. The bills will allow land swaps in Raquette Lake and Willsboro. As Brian Mann reports, green groups are supporting the Raquette Lake amendment. However, they hope to derail a plan to expand a mining operation onto state Park land in Willsboro.  Go to full article

Indian Lake, NY, Jun 06, 2012 — We continue our series, the Adirondack Attic, with Andy Flynn. You may know Andy from his series of Adirondack Attic books on local history. He uses the objects people make, use and leave behind to tell stories about the life and times of the region. NCPR is collaborating with Andy and his sources at the Adirondack Museum and other historical associations and museums in the region to bring these stories to air.

Today, Andy takes a close look at a mid-1800's map of Clinton County, and some of the stories of the small towns that grew up around the iron mining industry.  Go to full article

Hop Bottom, PA, May 30, 2012 — In the debate over whether hydraulic fracturing should be allowed in New York State, the need for millions of gallons of water at each well is a major concern.

A Canadian company called Gasfrac has developed a fracking method that eliminates the need for all that water. But as the Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports it's still too early to tell whether it will make a dent in a crowded industry.  Go to full article

Indian Lake, NY, May 01, 2012 — We continue our series, the Adirondack Attic, with Andy Flynn. You may know Andy from his series of Adirondack Attic books on local history. He uses the objects people make, use and leave behind to tell stories about the life and times of the region. NCPR is collaborating with Andy and his sources at the Adirondack Museum and other historical associations and museums in the region to bring these stories to air.

Today, Andy travels to the Adirondack Museum for a closer look at a wire basket used by miners in the mid-1900's.  Go to full article

Clintonville, NY, Jan 03, 2012 — Andy Flynn visits the Adirondack Museum as our "Adirondack Attic" series continues. Andy talks with chief curator Laura Rice about a chunk of charcoal from the 1800's that came from a forge in Clintonville. It's a piece of the puzzle of processing iron ore in the Adirondacks.  Go to full article

Clintonville, NY, Jan 03, 2012 — Andy Flynn visits the Adirondack Museum as our "Adirondack Attic" series continues. Andy talks with chief curator Laura Rice about a chunk of charcoal from the 1800's that came from a forge in Clintonville. It's a piece of the puzzle of processing iron ore in the Adirondacks.  Go to full article

Ithaca, NY, Dec 02, 2011 — The natural gas industry and landowners hoping to share its profits are frustrated by New York's latest delay in lifting a ban on drilling, while environmentalists say much more time is needed to study the issue.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation has refused to issue permits for shale gas wells using high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, since it started an environmental study in 2008.

The state's final public hearing on hydrofracking in New York was held Wednesday. But as the Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports, an unofficial hearing in Ithaca yesteday still drew a large crowd.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Nov 21, 2011 — A major decision about the future of hydro-fracking in the Northeast has been postponed. The delay gives states, including New York, more time to consider their own fracking regulations. WMHT's Marie Cusick reports for the Innovation Trail.  Go to full article

Binghamton, NY, Nov 18, 2011 — The Department of Environmental Conservation held public hearings on hydrofracking in Binghamton yesterday. The city is the epicenter of expected development of New York's share of the Marcellus Shale formation.

Officials and residents were invited to make three-minute statements about hydraulic fracturing.
More than 1,000 people turned out to listen. With frequent interruptions for catcalls and applause, only 63 people got a chance to speak during the three-hour hearing.

As the Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports, there is no shortage of opinion on the issue in the Southern Tier.  Go to full article

Geneva, NY, Nov 16, 2011 — New York begins public hearings on proposed regulations for hydro-fracking today. The state Department of Environmental Conservation convenes the first of the hearings in the Finger Lakes village of Dansville this afternoon at 1:00 pm. People hoping for three minutes to comment are expected to begin lining up hours before that.

The state has put off permits for drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation since 2008, when it began a review of the high-volume hydraulic fracturing process used to blast wells into production.

Environmental groups who fear the drilling will contaminate water supplies call the rules too lax.
The gas industry says the rules will be so restrictive that companies will avoid New York. As the DEC begins its hearings, an industry group has been holding public meetings of its own.  Go to full article