WHITE LAKE AND GLEN SPEY, NY — The Town of Bethel will hold a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the town’s zoning code that would, among other things, prohibit natural gas and oil exploration and production on Thursday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at the Duggan Community Center.

The amendment was constructed with the help of David Slottje of the Community Environmental Defense Council, who has also worked with other local towns including Tusten, which enacted a new zoning ordinance last year, and Lumberland, which has a public hearing on Monday

A four-member town committee formed by Supervisor Dan Sturm reviewed the draft document and made modifications.

There will be a public information session on the proposed amendment on Wednesday, February 22 at the Duggan Community Center. To view the amendment and related documents visit www.town.bethel.ny.us/ProposedLocalLaws/ProposedLocalLaws.htm.

The Town of Lumberland, which has already held one public hearing, has extended the comment period on its zoning rewrite, and will hold the a second public hearing on Monday, February 6 at the Town Hall at 7:15 p.m. at 1054 Proctor Rd.

Written comments should be emailed to glenspeytownhall@hvc.rr.comor mailed to the Town Hall, 1054 Proctor Road, Glen Spey, NY 12737.