Hydrofracking is making headlines from the statehouse to the Southern Tier. The proposed new method of getting natural gas out of New York's shale formations is a controversial one. As our Kat De Maria tells us, while many still question its safety, the governor is making changes that could lead to drills in the ground.

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It was the earth, the air and the fire, but mostly the water that brought them out: specifically, what a natural gas extraction method called hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking, could do to it.

"This particular means of extracting gas from the ground is potentially very destructive. And there are a lot of chemicals that are used that frankly we don't know what they're made of," said Bill Fischer, of Syracuse.

Gas companies are poising to hydrofrack the Marcellus Shale in New York's Southern Tier.

"I just think this is one of those issues that could end up in our backyard here in Central New York," Fischer said.

He's right. Much of the area sits on a similar formation, the Utica Shale. That's what caused 15-year-old Leyana Dessauer to organize Tuesday's protest.

"I felt like it was important to have local event that just says 'No we don't want drilling,'" Dessauer said.

As events and education about hydrofracking continue, the Marcellus Shale also appears in Governor Paterson's proposed budget.

"We are proposing a three percent tax on extraction...But we're also proposing as part of this budget adding, I think, 29-30 people...to go out and actually do inspections and to make sure these wells are meeting all possible safety requirements," said New York State Budget Director Robert Megna.

People at the protest say that's a good start, but not enough.

"We just need better regulations, better laws and hundreds more people. Not 30," said Joe Heath, General Counsel for the Onondaga Nation.

There is currently a state moratorium on hydrofracking. But that could end soon.

"It's very shortsighted. We shouldn't let it happen in New York State," Heath said.

As part of its ongoing environmental review of proposed drilling in the Marcellus Shale, the Department of Environmental Conservation is studying the water and chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.

The Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York believes gas drilling can be accomplished while still protecting the environment.