NORWICH – The largest landowner coalition in New York State just got bigger.

The Central New York Land Coalition, which originated in Norwich and New Berlin, and the Oxford Land Group announced this morning that they would combine forces under the Central New York Land Coalition name. The two group’s membership represents 174,000 acres.

CNYLC was formed in 2008 to prepare landowners for natural gas development that was occurring in the area. It had already amassed acreage in Chenango, Otsego, Delaware and Madison counties, some of it overlapping the Oxford Land Group. With an additional 20,000 acres, the coalition will now represent more contiguous acres and, according to its leaders, a more powerful presence to negotiate land-owner friendly and profitable leases with the industry.

“Our true coalition strength is flexed through contiguous acres. More than just land to drill, the industry also needs right-of-way to get the gas out, which is why contiguous acres is what they are most interested in,” said CNYLC President Brian Conover.

Bryant LaTourette, who gathered with his neighbors to begin the Oxford Land Group two years ago as well, said the best option at this point in time is “to grow our strength and join forces with another like-minded coalition.”

“I am very confident of this strategic move for our coalition and believe that this is coming at just the right time to be a win-win for both groups,” he said.