Schoharie Valley Watch reorganization announced.

Schoharie Valley Watch (SVW), founded in 2006 as local non-profit group, has grown dramatically, sponsoring initiatives ranging from scientific research projects, public education and outreach, to arts and cultural events. Because SVW has outgrown its early profile, we have reorganized and emerged as a new organization reflecting our expanded programs and geographic scope.

Moving forward SVW, will become the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities (CSRC). While we remain a non-profit, citizen-driven organization, we have created a governance model to steer the organization forward and allow us to effectively advocate for sustainable communities and the health, safety and quality of life of the residents of those communities throughout NY State.

Effective immediately a Board of Directors will oversee our policies and programs as well as our network of dedicated volunteers and advisors. We are proud to introduce our board and look forward to welcoming additional talented and creative Board members in the future:

Dr. Amy Freeth Dr. Freeth is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons and Attending Physician in Endocrinology at Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, NY. Upon graduation from Upstate Medical Center, Dr Freeth completed her Internal Medicine residency at Bassett Medical Center and her Endocrine fellowship at the University of Vermont. As a board certified Physician in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Dr Freeth is currently the medical director of the Comprehensive Diabetes Management Program that provides diabetes education and management services to an eight county region of Upstate New York. She is also a clinical research scientist at the Bassett Research Institute with primary research focus in diabetes prevention and obesity. Dr. Freeth speaks at local and national levels on subjects related to health and wellness.

Dawn Jordon Ms. Jordon is a former pharmacist and teacher and is currently devoted full-time to community service. She is a founder of the public advocacy organization Helderberg Community Watch and the Vice President of the Helderberg Hilltowns Association. Ms. Jordon has organized grassroots community responses to issues ranging from voting redistricting to proposed energy development projects. Ms. Jordon has a unique understanding of local governmental processes and regional energy policies as well as an ability to conduct focused and systematic analysis of a wide-variety of community issues.

Robert Nied Mr. Nied is the Chief Executive Officer of a privacy, security and regulatory compliance consulting firm with clients throughout the United States and the European Union. Mr. Nied is the author of books and articles on information assurance and regulatory compliance and has served as a contributing editor to publications of the American Bar Association, Section of Science and Technology Law. Mr. Nied is a life-long community activist and veteran of the social justice and environmental movements. Mr. Nied also enjoyed a career as a labor union organizer and negotiator, specializing in mediation and labor dispute resolution. Mr. Nied has a particular interest in planning and land use issues and, as co-founder of Schoharie Valley Watch, helped grow the organization from a small local non-profit to an influential regional organization.

CSRC RESEARCH TEAM PRODUCES COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF FRACKING RISKS.

A CSRC research team led by Louise Maher-Johnson and hydro-geologist Paul Rubin from the firm of HydroQuest has produced perhaps the most comprehensive independent study of potential hydrofracking impacts on the geology and hydrology of Upstate NY completed to date. The study examined aquifers, earthquake faults and the unique Karst formations of the Schoharie Valley Region. The data developed has been provided to the NYS DEC in the form of a formal DGEIS comment and is available to citizens and groups interested in this important issue.

Click here to view report by Geologist Paul Rubin.

EXTENSIVE WEB OF EARTHQUAKE FAULTS PLACES SCHOHARIE AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES AT RISK FROM FRACKING

Schoharie and surrounding counties are criss crossed with a web of active earthquake faults that when combined with a fragile Karst geology dramatically increases the risks associated with hydrofracking.

Click here to view web of criss-crossed deep or "basement" earthquake faults.

NETWORK OF UNDERGROUND AQUIFERS AT RISK FROM FRACKING

Upstate NY is replete with a bountiful, inter-connected and flowing system of freshwater aquifers that feed our lakes, reservoirs, rivers. Available maps show a wealth of groundwater aquifers, like branches of a huge tree, with smaller leaf-like aquifer pools seemingly everywhere else. These unconsolidated aquifers are permeable and relatively close to the surface, easy to contaminate from above and below. Deeper bedrock aquifers are not shown. To view USGS maps of NY State aquifers click the links below (NOTE: These are large files and may take 30-60 seconds to load.):

Finger Lakes Region

Lower Hudson Region

Hudson Mohawk Region

Adirondack Region

Niagara Region

FOLLOW THE MAPS: WATER & EARTHQUAKE FAULTS EVERYWHERE

The Schoharie Valley Watch Research Team has produced a summary document explaining the significance of the fault and aquifer maps. Click Here to view/download the "Follow the Maps" summary.