Seward Offers Gas, Oil Leasing Info

Senator James L. Seward (R-I-C/Oneonta) is making information available to property owners concerned about, or interested in, gas and oil leasing.

Seward has dedicated a portion of his senate web site to providing landowners and interested consumers with information on gas and oil leasing. Residents can go to www.senatorjimseward.com and click on the icon marked "Information on Gas and Oil Leasing." It includes links to state government resources and web sites that provide an overview of leases and offer helpful tips and information to property owners.

"With the rising interest in gas and oil leasing, property owners are seeking guidance on their rights and they want information," Seward said. "I’ve put a place on my web site and I also have some written materials available at my office by request. It’s important for property owners to consult their attorneys and read everything before signing."

The DEC can be contacted at 585-226-5373 (Herkimer, Tompkins, Chenango, Cortland Counties) or 518-402-8056 (Greene, Otsego and Schoharie Counties). To request a brochure on "A Landowner’s Guide to Oil and Gas Leasing," constituents can call Seward’s office at 607-432-5524.

Seward also noted that towns by local law can become more closely involved by requiring those soliciting gas leases to register with the town; requesting to be part of the SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act) process with the DEC; may revisit and review their existing code to have drilling operations part of municipal site plan review.