The Delaware River Basin Commission Monday announced the period for written comment on proposed regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing activities in the basin has been extended from February 28 to March 30, 2018. 

Two additional public hearings also have been scheduled in February and March.

“The commissioners believe the extended comment period and two additional hearings announced today in response to numerous requests will provide adequate opportunities for the public and government officials to study the proposed regulations and offer input to inform the commissioners’ decision-making process,” said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini.  “Those interested in commenting are encouraged to review the full text of the draft rules, related materials, and information on the public input procedures on the Commission’s website.”

To supplement the four previously announced public hearings – two on January 23 in Waymart, Wayne County. and two on January 25 in Philadelphia – the Commission is adding the following two hearings:

-- February 22: 3 p.m. to as late as 7 p.m. at the Lisa Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Services Center, Lehigh Carbon Community College, 4525 Education Park Dr., in Schnecksville, Lehigh County.  Register in advance to attend or register onsite.  Persons who have registered to attend by 5 p.m. January 26, 2018 will be contacted by DRBC prior to the hearing date and provided with an early opportunity to request speaking time.  Registrants may also sign up to speak at the hearing and will be heard if time allows.  Elected government officials and their staff will have the opportunity to identify themselves when registering.

-- March 6: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The Commission will host a moderated public hearing by telephone.  Members of the public are encouraged to listen by calling 1-866-831-8713 and asking the operator to connect them to the DRBC call.  Those wishing to address the Commission at this hearing can register for an opportunity to speak.

Seating capacity remains available at all four of the public hearings scheduled in January.  Those who would like to attend are encouraged to register online through 5 p.m. on the day preceding each hearing. 

On-site registration for each hearing will also be available.  Those who have not registered in advance are encouraged to check capacity through the online system before traveling to attend a hearing.

Written comments on the draft regulations, which will receive the same consideration as oral comments, will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 30.  Written comments and attachments should be submitted through the DRBC’s online comments webpage.  Requests for exceptions to use of the online registration and written comment collection systems may be addressed to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628.

For more information, visit DRBC’s Natural Gas Drilling webpage.

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[Posted: Jan. 8, 2018]

1/15/2018