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Catskill Village Board unanimously approves Brine Prohibition Act. (Audio)

Sep 11, 2013
Recorded by Sam Sebren. (2:21)
On September 11, 2013, twenty people, including many members of GREEN (Greene Renewable Energy and Environmental Network) attended the Catskill Village Board meeting at the Senior Center, where Village President Vince Seeley called for a Board member to motion the vote on Local Law 4-2013, also named the "Brine Prohibition Act". Board member and Greene Legislator Joe Kozloski motioned, then Board member Jim Chewens seconded the motion, and the full Board voted unanimously to pass the new law. People in attendance applauded the vote. This is the first such law in Greene or Columbia counties regarding prohibiting the toxic production brine, or flowback fluids that are produced from the fracking process. The substance is generated as a result of drilling for gas or oil and contains numerous hazardous chemicals used in the fracking fluid as well as substances picked up from deep within the earth such as heavy metals and radioactive materials. The new law prohibits the introduction of natural gas and/or oil production byproducts into any wastewater treatment facility within, or operated by the Village of Catskill. Also prohibited is the application of natural gas and/or oil production byproducts on any Village-owned road or Village-owned property, whether as a de-icing substance, dust suppressant, or for any other purpose.