Below is a draft letter from Matt Young regarding Bear Swamp and the Stat's sale of gass drilling leases Hello everyone, Dr. Steve Broyles(SUNY-Cort) and I have drafted a letter to ask for the removal of Bear Swamp from the oil and gas exploration proposal. The text of the letter is attached below. This situation is somewhat similar to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. No one knows for sure how much natural gas exists below the surface of Bear Swamp. The area is top rate as far as biological diversity and a large population depends on clean drinking water from Lake Skaneateles just to the north. The exploration will be short term, but the scars will remain for a long time. There will always be the capped wellhead and service roads to attend to the maintenance of the wellhead. I completely understand our modern day need for energy resources and I probably wouldn't put up a fight if the proposal were to include other state forests in the greater Cortland area. I have cross-country skied, hiked, and listen to birds at Bear Swamp. Last year, Matt took me on an orchid tour (see attached photo of Rose Pogonia) of the fen in the complex. The area is exceptional in its beauty and diversity. I honestly believe that Bear Swamp deserves a fight. I hope that you are willing to help fight for Bear Swamp. Please feel free to use the letter below to send to Mr. Gilchrist. You may help in one of three ways. First, you may send the letter to Mr. Gilchrist via email (dmnog@gw.dec.state.ny.us) or by U.S. Postal. Second, you may send your name and address to Matt (grosbeak@clarityconnect.com) or myself (broyles@cortland.edu) to be added to a list and presented next week at the public hearing (June 27, 5 to 10 p.m. or June 28, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cortland Holiday Inn). Third, please consider writing a letter to the editor at a local or regional newspaper. Forward our letter to others who may be interested. At some point, I will post the letter on the internet. Lastly, if you're a president or leader of a club and feel comfortable sending the letter as head of that club, please do! Individual letters from clubs often carry more weight. Also, please feel free to tailor this letter to meet your local needs. If you want to add other sites or concerns feel free to do so - I know Oakley Corners and Potato Hill are two sites where there's some concerns mounting! Thank you for your help! Steve Broyles and Matt Young Mr. Charles Gilchrist Division of Mineral Resources 625 Broadway, 3rd Floor Albany, NY 12233-6500 Dear Mr. Gilchrist, We are writing to urge the New York Sate Department of Environmental Conservation not to lease 2,094.33 acres of Bear Swamp in the Town of Sempronius (Area Cayuga SRA #1) for oil and gas exploration. While we understand that the DEC is authorized (Environmental Conservation Law Article 23, Title 11) to lease state lands for exploration and development, we are strongly opposed to this action in Bear Swamp as these activities pose significantly threats and possible irrevocable damage to the unique ecology of the area. Please consider the following: Drinking Water Quality. The Bear Swamp complex is an important hydrological area adjacent to Skaneateles Lake. The clean, unfiltered water of Skaneateles Lake provides drinking water for a population of 250,000+ citizens in the greater Syracuse, New York, area. At present time, there are only seven unfiltered drinking water supplies in the entire country that support a city the size of Syracuse. Exploration of Bear Swamp poses significant environmental threats to Skaneateles Lake hydrology and water quality. First, the footprint of the drilling operation disturbs soil and can increase erosion into the wetlands and lake. Second, the ecological services of water purification by green zones may be altered or reduced by land disturbances. Third, not knowing what will be found below the surface, there could be the release of heavy metals or waste products that could be harmful to the water supply. A change in water quality will have significant negative impacts on the regio! nal economy by requiring tax-supported rigorous methods of drinking water remediation. Significant Recreational Use and Environmental Education. The Bear Swamp complex provides outstanding opportunities for recreational and environmental education. Bear Swamp is a popular area for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, hiking, horse-back riding, cross-country skiing, bird watching, and nature exploration. The unique composition of the flora and fauna provide outstanding educational opportunities. Many classes at the following regional institutions (Cornell University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY College at Cortland) have used Bear Swamp as an outdoor environmental classroom. The model of site use and restoration, as provided on the DEC website (http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dmn/leasing/slprocess.html), will undeniably spoil the unique recreational and educational opportunities that an intact Bear Swamp provides. Avian Diversity Hot Spot. The Bear Swamp complex supports great habitat diversity that includes one of the largest swamps in Cayuga County, a NY state-listed critically imperiled rich shrub fen ecotype, and large diverse tracks of deciduous and mixed hardwood-deciduous forests. This recognized Audubon Important Bird Area supports at least 12 avian species (e.g., Cerulean Warbler, Northern Goshawk, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Northern Harriers, American Bittern, and Red-shouldered Hawk) that are on state and national conservation lists. Forest fragmentation, noise pollution, and increased human interactions pose significant threats to the breeding and nesting success to these birds of special concern. Unique and Rare Flora. The Bear Swamp complex flora includes 48 species of protected plants that includes four species of Trillium, 16 ferns, and 11 species of endemic orchids. In addition, one of the state's largest populations of Spreading Globeflower, a federally listed rare species, occupies the wetlands of Bear Swamp. Forest fragmentation poses significant threats to many of these plant species by removing substantial habitat, exposing the forest interior to more sunlight and wind, and by altering behavior and populations of important forest pollinators and seed dispersers. DEC Recognized Conservation Programs. The intact forests and unadulterated wetlands of Bear Swamp have received considerable attention for the unique beauty, biodiversity, and potential success of reintroductions of keystone species. In addition to Bear Swamp being part of the state's Open Space Conservation Program, it was also one of the state's focal areas for the reintroduction of river otters. Not only do river otters play an important ecological role in wetlands, but they add to biological and cultural diversity of central New York that is appreciated by all. We urge you to reconsider and remove Bear Swamp from the list of proposed lease sites for gas and oil exploration. Thousands of New York State citizens and tourist enjoy the scenic vistas and relaxing waterfalls of Bear Swamp and the Finger Lakes region. This unique area supports rich biodiversity, provides outstanding recreational and educational opportunities, and provides important ecological services by water purification to regional human populations. The ecological value of this intact land and the significant threats posed by exploration justify the use of the precautionary principle to preserve and protect Bear Swamp. Sincerely, Steve Broyles & Matt Young