Polarization On Seneca Lake

It's very sad to see the polarization that is taking place on Seneca Lake about the storage of Liquid Propane Gas and Methane Gas in unlined salt caverns along the shores of this great body of water. I know so many of the people involved on both sides of the issue. Having worked in Schuyler County for so many years, I was a part of that community and I watched and I think helped it grow and develop. As I've said before, my own view of the lake and environment has evolved over the years and yes, I've become very concerned about maintaining the quality of this beautiful body of fresh water.

What's so sad about the polarization is that it has become so black and white. There is no middle ground. Locally you are on one side or the other. Clearly a them or us kind of discussion exists. The main actors on either side have always been at that point I'd guess, but now they expect their friends and neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, business partners to think the same way. Much of what I hear is like listening to parrots. The arguments have become carved in stone. There doesn't seem to be any room for real or meaningful discussion. In terms of the opponents it continues to be about fracking and for the supporters, the protesters are a bunch of out of town, Ithaca based weirdos who are just trying to make trouble. Buttons get pushed around language and how people are referred to.

People fall in step and everyone begins to make the same arguments. "They've been storing gas in salt caverns for 50 or more years and there's no problem." What this predominant point lacks is any understanding that risk usually increases over time. To others it's all about gas and fracking. I'm honestly disappointed that more people aren't concerned about the salinity of the lake. There have been issues over the years including a mining accident in Himrod, NY that damaged the aquifers and emptied huge amounts of salt into the lake. People who study the ecology of the lake are not sure though about why the salinity in general is rising and what's causing that steady increase. The ongoing study of the Seneca Lake watershed is of critical importance to all of the communities surrounding the lake and beyond.

For my own part I don't think government agencies or local officials have done the greatest job in approving the gas storage project or communicating about it. I'm also concerned about how and if corporate money plays a role, because I think that tips the scale in an unfair way when people are making decisions about a commodity (fresh water) that people depend on. The fact is that gas and oil companies do throw money at communities through Community Benefit Agreements, Payments In Lieu of Taxes and contributions to non-profit agencies as a way of garnering support for their projects and development. In many communities, government or quasi government agencies begin to naturally depend on these dollars. I would guess this may have happened in Schuyler County but have no real solid information.

Opponents have not always presented themselves well either, but on the positive side they seem to have evolved and are really trying to follow principles of non-violence and conflict negotiation. No one likes it when people have to resort to breaking the law but there are legitimate reasons for that to occur at times. Personally, I view it as a matter of conscience rather then a tactic. I think there is a certain solemnity to civil disobedience that goes with the territory. I haven't necessarily thought very highly of some of the 'themed' demonstrations that opponents of the gas storage project have held but that's a personal preference. As I said, they are evolving in their actions and arguments and seem to be really trying to convey a sense of legitimate concern, respect to local authorities and to law enforcement.

Using the court, the weather and law enforcement to make the activists as uncomfortable as possible has crossed the line in a number of instances. It's a double standard when people on the one hand decry civil disobedience and then seem comfortable breaking, bending or stretching the laws of due process and constitutional protections. In the end I think government officials will be made to regret these actions. In addition, I think these actions have in fact helped people make the determination that they should become more involved or speak up against what is perceived as injustice by people in power.* (see note below)

I think there is still room for a middle road. I think reasonable people should be able to reason with each other. I think government and law enforcement officials can act responsibly and courteously respecting the law, just as they expect others to act. I think government is in a position to converse with the corporation about their tactics, their safety records, their plans, etc. and modify some of government's role and expectations. In the absence of this, we have parties agreeing to no negotiation, no change and no one backing down.

I happen to think everyone would be better off if people could respect and understand that different points of view exist and that you don't become the enemy if you express concern about clean water, Seneca Lake or the legacy we leave for our grandchildren. There is an attempt at intimidation when an expectation is set that everyone should think and react the same way. That we should all band together against the 'outsiders' and protect our community from this onslaught. Our community has gotten bigger due to global reach and technology. As that has happened new ideas and beliefs have come with new people and new neighbors. We may not agree on everything but for better or worse, we're in this together.

* Note - For those who haven't followed this very closely, I thought a clarifying note may help. There have been over 200 arrests of people blockading the entrance to the Crestwood facility where storage of Methane has been approved. NYS DEC is still jn the process of making a decision about Propane. For the past number of weeks, defendants have had hearings or arraignments in front of the Town of Reading Judge who holds his Court in the Reading Town Hall. Supporters of the defendants have been refused entry to the court and the use of other areas of the building in what seems to be a clear attempt to discourage and disperse supporters. Parking has been restricted in the area as well. In some cases family members coming to witness and support individuals have been banned from the courtroom proceedings. All of this in extremely cold weather. A lot of information about the arrests and court process can be found at the website of We Are Seneca Lake.