A group of landowners opposed to fracking are concerned that eventually drilling will take place under their properties even though they haven't signed leases.
Under state law, it could happen. It's something called compulsory integration. If at least 60 percent of property in a certain area is leased to a drilling company, that company can drill under everyone's land.
David Slottje is an attorney that specializes in the issue. He spoke at an anti-fracking rally in Binghamton Thursday. "Compulsory integration is nothing short of Albany politicians doing the bidding of gas companies and in the process stripping away the rights of New York landowners. Maybe it's time to remind those politicians who they are supposed to be representing."
Under compulsory integration, property owners that haven't signed leases do get royalty payments if gas is extracted from their land.
