As New York is the beneficiary and guardian of one of the world’s largest natural aquifer systems, which is the fresh-water source for millions of New Yorkers, you must take a much longer view of exactly what is at stake here (“Big Frack Attack,” Editorial, Dec. 6).

Certainly, jobs are a key issue in the current economic situation. However, there are unanswered questions regarding the damaging effects of fracking.

I suggest we not rush to permit something that might be so potentially devastating to our aquifers.

A full disclosure of the benefits and the potential damaging environmental effects resulting from such fracturing needs to be examined and discussed in a public forum.

D. McAtamney

Bayshore

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Contrary to industry claims set forth in your editorial, there are no jobs, royalty payments or state- or local-tax revenues that would be lost as a result of the recently passed hydraulic-fracturing-suspension bill.

The devastation caused by gas-drilling operations in states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia is clearly documented by regulatory agencies that continue to play catch-up with an industry operating with impunity.

New York has the opportunity to be the first state in the country to get it right. There is no immediate harm to the economic development of this state if the governor signs the bill into law, but his veto could cause irreparable damage.

If our water supplies are contaminated, there will be no going back.

Paul Gallay

Executive Director

Riverkeeper

Ossining