Recent energy company activity in the Marcellus shale region of the United States has led to numerous controversies. The economic benefits of natural gas development appear to be quite large, but how they will be distributed among both the public and private sectors remains unknown. There is also much uncertainty surrounding potential environmental impacts. Impacts from new roads, water quantity and quality, increased truck traffic, as well as chemicals used in the production process make this a dynamic and complex topic, each with direct and indirect environmental effects. This complexity is exacerbated by issues associated with institutional capacity at local and state levels, as well as interorganizational conflicts. This research evaluates the elements of this resource controversy as they are playing out in New York State focusing on the different and often conflicting goals and aspirations of various stakeholders. Among the themes that emerge from this evaluation is the fact that the varying spatial and temporal scales at which different players view the issues are at the root of much of the controversy, as is the uncertainty associated with both positive and negative economic and environmental impacts of gas development. These, then, lead to concerns about the ability of all stakeholders to contribute equally to the debate. This case study illustrates the importance of bridging gaps in knowledge, particularly with respect to various aspects of the drilling and production process to reduce uncertainties in potential impacts, and of the need to disentangle agency responsibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]