Contributed Graphic Courtesy of S.C. Div. of Planning THIS COUNTY-CREATED map shows the approximate spots in the area where gas drilling leases have been signed. The red line is the route of the Millennium Pipeline, and no parcel of land (representated by the green dots) is more than five miles from the gas pipeline (where measured point to point.)

Symposium tonight to focus on gas leasing

By Dan Hust
LAKE HUNTINGTON — As gas drilling leases begin multiplying in western Sullivan County, local officials are turning their attention to the intricacies of such agreements.
As a result, the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management, Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Chenango County Farm Bureau are sponsoring a public forum on leasing tonight starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Sullivan West High School on Route 52 in Lake Huntington.
Hundreds have already registered, according to county Planning Commissioner William Pammer. (You can, too, by calling 794-3000, ext. 5028.)
And what they’ll find is a wealth of information from top experts.
“We were very fortunate to get one of the leading attorneys on gas leasing,” Pammer told legislators on Thursday.
He was speaking of Christopher Denton, a Binghamton attorney who has become one of the most sought-after advisors for both groups and individuals interested in the benefits and disadvantages of leasing mineral rights in New York State.
Pammer himself is scheduled to speak, as are Chenango County Farm Bureau President Bradd Vickers, CPA Jim Leonard and petroleum geologist Don Zaengle.
Topics will include what kind of land is being leased and where, the pros and cons of leasing, rights-of-way, payment options, on-site storage, negotiations and protecting property and people.
Individuals and groups like the Sullivan-Delaware Property Owners Association are even now negotiating leases for tens of thousands of acres with a range of gas companies.
And as can be seen in a map prepared by the county, dozens of parcels of land are already under contract (though whether that will result in actual drilling remains to be seen).
According to a search late last week in the county clerk’s office (which can be done during regular business hours at no cost), properties in the townships of Fremont, Delaware, Cochecton, Tusten, Bethel and Highland have been leased.
Following is the most currently available list, arranged from the oldest to most recent. Please note that the green dots on the accompanying map outnumber the information below simply because several of the listed landowners have leased multiple pieces of land.
• Ken and Donna Peters of Callicoon, 659 acres in the Town of Fremont. Leased on December 1, 2007 for 10 years to Chesapeake.
• John and Ilene Baden of Callicoon, 68 acres in the Town of Fremont. Leased on December 3, 2007 for 10 years to Chesapeake.
• Carlton Sutliff of Lake Huntington, 93 acres in the Town of Cochecton. Leased on March 17 for five years to Cabot.
• Excelsior Sportsman’s Club of the City of Newburgh, Inc. (President Allan Schadt resides in Eldred), 1,747 acres in the towns of Bethel and Highland. Leased on May 10 for five years to Cabot.
• John and Kathy Quirk of Kenoza Lake, 54 acres in the Town of Delaware. Leased on May 24 for five years to Cabot.
• Steven and Georgia Campfield of Narrowsburg, 55 acres in the Town of Tusten. Leased on May 31 for five years to Cabot.
• Eldred Preserve, LLC of Eldred, 1,736 acres in the Town of Highland. Leased on June 5 for five years to Cabot.
• Floyd and Anna Campfield of Narrowsburg, 106 acres in the Town of Tusten. Leased on June 13 for five years to Cabot.
• Floyd and Jacoba Campfield of Narrowsburg, 25 acres in the Town of Tusten. Leased on June 17 for five years to Cabot.