The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. and the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River will co-sponsor a free public information forum on natural gas drilling issues from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. May 21 in the Honesdale Middle School auditorium, located on Grove Street in Honesdale, Wayne County.

The objective of this Pennsylvania-focused forum is to present factual information on natural gas and its exploration methodologies, extraction techniques, industry regulations and agency oversight, potential environmental impacts, and the execution of mineral rights leases by property owners.

Attorney Wendell R. Kay of Honesdale will serve as moderator. The four speakers to offer presentations will be: Patrick O’Dell, a petroleum engineer with the National Park Service Geologic Resources Division; Ron Gilius, director of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Oil and Gas Management; Wes Gillingham, program director of the Catskill Mountainkeeper non-profit organization; and

Lester Greevy, Esq., a specialist in mineral rights law from Williamsport in Lycoming County.

Following delivery of their remarks, the panel will participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience. All are welcome. No reservations are required.

For more information, contact the UDC at 845-252-3022 or the NPS at 570-729-7842.

5/9/2008