Thursday, March 31 - Saturday, April 2, 2011
Cornell Law School
Free Admission

DOWNLOAD CONFERENCE MATERIALS http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/research/ELS/index.cfm

OVERVIEW

Natural gas drilling using hydraulic fracturing (”hydrofracking”) may be poised to begin in Upstate New York.  Hydrofracking has ignited a battle over the future of energy and the environment, with proponents claiming natural gas as an energy panacea and opponents decrying it as an environmental nightmare.  The debate has even blurred traditional lines, with some conservationists calling natural gas an essential “bridge fuel” and some industry insiders warning of inflated projections and ecological risks.

This heated issue is part of the larger state, national, and international energy picture.  The conference will use natural gas drilling as a lens to explore energy policy, the global energy market, and the integral role the law can and must play in creating energy security and ensuring a sustainable future.  Panels will be fast-paced, creating a lively debate with time for limited audience questions.  Bringing together distinguished panelists from law, science, government, and business on both sides of the natural gas and energy debate, the conference will explore, among other topics, the legal issues associated with natural gas drilling and energy policy, different scientific perspectives on how clean and sustainable natural gas is, alternative clean energy sources, and the potential risks and benefits of shale gas development in Upstate New York.  Weaving throughout these topics is the question of whether common ground can truly be reached or whether it is simply an illusion.

As part of Cornell University, a world-class research institution invested in creating a sustainable future, Cornell Law School is uniquely positioned to find solutions for the challenging environmental and energy problems of today.  Situated in the beautiful town of Ithaca, New York, Cornell is the ideal location for addressing sustainability.

The two-day conference will draw an audience of students, academicians, community leaders, attorneys, local and state officials, and the general public.  News publications and online blogs will cover the event.  The conference will be broadcast live to audiences on the world wide web.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits will be available at no cost for many panels.

We invite you to join us at this exciting event!

Ben W. Tettlebaum
Environmental Law Society, President

Alexis Saba
Environmental Law Society, Chair

Emily Green
Environmental Law Society, Conference Committee

PLEASE NOTE: Seating is limited at most panels, and registration is first-come, first-served.  Registrants not seated in the amphitheater where the panel is taking place will be seated in an adjacent amphitheater where the panel will be broadcast live via simulcast.  Contact Ben Tettlebaum (bwt32@cornell.edu) with questions or concerns.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE (REVISED)

DEC SEEKS PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON THE DRAFT RAPID WATERS

UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN (UMP)

WHEN: Thursday, April 14, 2011, from 6:30 pm. to 8:45 pm. (NEW DATE)

WHERE: Candor High School Auditorium, located at 1 Academy Street, Candor. Directions

to the Candor High School are available at the following link:

http://www.candor.org/contacts/directions.htm

WHAT: To invite and accept public feedback on the Draft Rapid Waters UMP.

The draft plan is posted on the DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/72384.html

A limited number of copies of the plan are available on compact disk (CD). Please contact the

DEC Cortland Lands and Forests office at (607) 753-3095 ext. 217 to request a copy.

The meeting will begin as an open house at 6:30 pm., providing time for the public to informally

discuss the draft plan and the planning process with DEC forest management staff. Beginning at

7:05 pm., DEC forest management staff will present highlights of the draft plan. The

presentation will be followed by a public comment session from 7:30 to 8:45 pm.

The auditorium is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know of any other specific

accommodations you may require by Thursday, April 7th. Those unable to attend the meeting

are invited to submit comments to the DEC by mail to: NYSDEC, Division of Lands and Forests,

Attn: John Clancy, 1285 Fisher Avenue, Cortland, New York, 13045-1090, or by email to:

jmclancy@gw.dec.state.ny.us. Written comments will be accepted until May 14, 2011.

The Rapid Waters Unit covers 12,600 acres of State Forest land. It includes the Danby State

Forest which is in the towns of Candor, Danby and Spencer, along with the Shindagin Hollow

State Forest which is in the towns of Caroline and Candor. The Rapid Waters Management Unit

is located about 8 miles southeast of the city of Ithaca, 20 miles southwest of Cortland, and

about 25 miles northwest of the Triple Cities of Endicott, Binghamton and Johnson City.

WHY: The Rapid Waters Draft Unit Management Plan was developed to address both short and

long term land management needs, values and opportunities. The draft plan provides a

framework to address the past, present and future conservation of forest ecosystems, wildlife

habitat, and recreational trails. It also addresses issues related to exploration and development

of oil and natural gas resources within the unit’s State Forests.