December 9, 2010

Eric Schneiderman
New York State Attorney General-Elect
131 Varick St. Suite 924
NY, NY 10013

Attn: Rachel Kagan

Dear Mr. Schneiderman,

I am writing to you as the Director of Fleased, an organization representing the

interests of landholders who leased mineral rights to gas companies, but who now
realize that the proposed Marcellus shale gas exploitation threatens their water,
land, air and communities. We deeply appreciate your stance on gas drilling as a
Senator, and request a meeting with you to discuss how we might work together on
this critical state issue as you assume your new position. Martha Robertson, Chair
of the Tompkins County Legislature, spoke with Rachel Kagan this morning about
scheduling a meeting.

We are profoundly concerned that the proposed slick-water High-Volume Hydraulic

Fracturing (HVHF) drilling activity in the Marcellus Shale will cost us what we value
more than money: our clean water and the integrity and health of our surrounding
environment and community. We would never have signed leases with the gas
drilling companies had we known of the proposed methods and materials to be used
in the HVHF drilling process. Although there are some variations in the content of
the leases we have signed, similar experiences with landmen brought us together.
False assurances, misleading statements, fact-omitting promotional documents and
arm-twisting tactics, lead us to believe that we were victims of deceptive business
practices.

Not only were we given a false picture of the activity the gas industry proposed to
conduct on our land at the time of leasing, but also in 2008 the Governor signed
legislation that significantly altered the 2005 laws and regulations governing the
size of drilling units and setbacks. We contend that the changes in law altered the
very nature of contracts we signed under the 2005 law.

Our members whole-heartedly supported your candidacy and we view your election
to the position of Attorney General as an important step towards protecting New
Yorkers from HVHF in the Marcellus Shale and the Utica Shale. We believe that
there is a tremendous opportunity for your office to demonstrate your commitment
to protecting New Yorkers from deceptive business practices by becoming active
regarding the fraudulent leasing practices of the gas companies. We would
welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the details of our position. To
fully realize our aims, we are currently working with Weitz and Luxenberg PC, a law
firm in New York City, to pursue possible litigation.

In addition to looking into possible lawsuits, we will be working with our New York
State representatives to draft legislation to address our concerns.

Your election gives us hope that our voices may be heard. We are very eager to
meet with you to discuss this critical New York State issue.

I will take the liberty of calling your office to follow up this request. Thank you for
your consideration.

Respectfully,
On behalf of Fleased and its members

Ellen Z. Harrison, Director

ellenzharrison@gmail.com
2050 Ellis Hollow Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607 539-7133

cc: Fleased Steering Committee

Julia LeMense, Weitz and Luxenberg
Barbara Lifton, NYS Assemblywoman
Martha Robertson, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature

Fleased.org fleasedny@gmail.com