In 2011 the Finger Lakes Clean Waters Initiative partnered with Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival to Present the first Big Splash Concert as a one day event in Binghamton’s Rec. Park. The purpose was to bring attention to the dangers of hydraulic fracturing known as Fracking in New York State.
“The Clean Waters Initiative: Defending New York’s Number One Economic Resource through event-based outreach and education; Protecting New York State’s Waters against Unsafe Gas Drilling.
The first event featured presenters from both sides of the issue. A local line-up of musicians including local rock stars Yolk reunited for the cause and all came out in support against Fracking. We showcased a number of organizations that were all focused on the same fight. The plan was to ban fracking in New York State. The event was a huge success with estimated 2-3 thousand people attending.
Moving the fight to Central New York, FLCW and GrassRoots brought a one day event to Syracuse’s Inner Harbor again to educated and inform people of the need to protect New York’s water from unsafe drilling practices. 20 Regional bands and a local craft beer garden were featured. the Syracuse event paved the way for outreach beyond Fracking hot beds in the Southern Tier.
The organizers at Finger Lakes Clean Waters again teamed up with the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival and brought the fight to Hector where the wine industry, local businesses, and area residents came out in full force against the issue. The first Seneca Lake Big Splash in Hector (held in August 2011) boasted hometown hero, Willie Watson backed by an all star line-up including Richie Sterns, Rosie Newton, and the rest of the Evil City String Band. Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, two time Grammy award winner Jim Lauderdale, along with other regional favorites: Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, Driftwood, Dutch Bucket System, and more joined in. A number of noted scientists including Dr. Bob Howarth and Sandra Steingraber along with a host of non-profits spoke out and educated the public on the dangers of Fracking.
“Fracking turns fresh water into poison. It fills our air with smog, our roadways with 18-wheelers hauling hazardous materials, and our fields and pastures with pipelines and toxic pits. I am therefore announcing my intent to devote my Heinz Award to the fight against hydrofracking in upstate New York, where I live with my husband and our two children.
The Big Splash Returned to Binghamton in March of 2012 with an event featuring Natalie Merchant and her band with New York favorites, The Horseflies. The event was Sold Out and was a great night for the City of Binghamton. Prior to the concert a Mayor’s (Mayor Matt Ryan) reception was held for Author, Biologist, and cancer survivor, Sandra Steingraber who was celebrated for her Prestigious Heinz Award. She again announced that she was donating the entire amount of her Heinz Award to the fight against Fracking. A part of her award was given to support events based activism that Finger Lakes Clean Water’s was doing.
On May 15, 2012, a concert and rally was held in Albany that would become the basis of the filmDear Governor Cuomo by filmaker Jon Bowermaster. FLCW with New Yorker’s Against Fracking and a number of non-profits led the charge. Natalie Merchant helped organize the concert with Mark Ruffalo, Mellisa Leo as official emcees for the evening. Medeski Martin & Wood, Natalie Merchant, Citizen Cope, The Felice Brothers, Joan Osborne, Tracy Bonham, Toshi Reagon, Dan Zanes, Ida, The Horse Flies, and The Ahkwesasne Women Singers and a host of other talented artists, speakers, and activists took the fight to the capital with one message to Governor Andrew Cuomo: Ban Fracking Now!
““I’m terrified of what may happen to my home state if hydraulic fracturing begins. Significant parts of rural New York will be sacrificed for relatively short-term gain in exchange for long-term degradation and contamination. Our most critical resource: WATER, both on the surface and underground will be endangered.”
In 2012 the momentum continued with events held in Binghamton, Ithaca, and Hector. Events with letter writing campaigns, petitions, and raising awareness. These events were crucial ways to connect with every day citizens about the environmental effects of fracking and how to stop it. The success continued with the moratorium in effect against fracking, and fracking being banned in several counties and communities across the state, it seemed that we were winning the fight. But, there was more work to be done.
Beyond Fracking
We started to not just focus on the environmental damages that fracking does and start trying to present solutions. In 2013 the events continued to support and provide a platform against fracking and dangerous LPG storage in nearby Seneca Lake. We wanted to offer solutions and education about how to remedy these problems as well. In the Summer of 2013 the Big Splash Sustainability Fair was born. A platform for renewable and sustainable business that was accessible to everyone. The events we transformed into two day, family oriented, solutions based activism. There were solar and wind exhibits, up-cycled jewelry and clothing, local and farm fresh food and produce. The two day events allowed people a little more of a get away and was a lot like sustainability summer camp. This is where we are today as well. We are growing and learning all of the time. Basically, we will continue to support local economy, the communities we visit and live in, and the environment.
