The State of New York is reportedly preparing to lift a moratorium on the controversial natural gas extraction technique known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” The state’s Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to issue a report today recommending that fracking be allowed on privately held land in much of the state. The report recommends only banning drilling within primary aquifers and 500 feet of their boundaries, and on state-owned land, such as parks, forest areas and wildlife management areas.