I am one of 500,000 people per year who visits and loves Allegany State Park. I have been defending it most of my adult life from bad policy and planning.

U. S. Energy Development Corp. is planning to commence drilling for natural gas in five well sites within Allegany. I believe this is an outrageous exploitation of the park. Drilling would involve destruction of natural habitat for roads and laying of new pipes. Such destruction will result in contamination of ground and surface water and provide an environment for invasive species.

Allegany State Park should have protection under Article 20 of the State Park Law. Make it part of the New York State Nature and Historical Preserve Trust, as Zoar Valley is.

Finally, Allegany needs to be seen as the people’s park to be enjoyed for hundreds of years to come, not as a resource for private interest. Any extraction by corporations of natural resources in one of the most beautiful state parks in the country is bad corporate citizenry and sets bad precedent.

Jay Wopperer

Williamsville