Resolution on Fracking

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Resolution by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners urging the General Assembly to exercise caution and to take as much time as needed while debating the merits of the extraction of natural gas in North Carolina

WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly instructed the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) to conduct a study on the extraction of natural gas and provide recommendations on the "best practices" of the gas industry; and

WHEREAS, the NCDENR has released their preliminary report on the practice of natural gas drilling in our state and held public hearings on the report in Chatham, Lee, and Orange County; and

WHEREAS, the preliminary report makes several suggestions as to protections and practices that should be in place prior to approval of natural gas drilling in North Carolina; and

NOW THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners urges that the General Assembly exercise caution, proceed with disciplined and thoughtful approach protecting all citizens of North Carolina, and incorporate the recommendations of NCDENR in natural gas drilling is allowed in North Carolina.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED as the General Assembly and NCDENR move forward in the develpment of legislation, rules and regulations, for natural gas exploration in North Carolina, that;

1) The General Assembly ensure sufficient resources be allocated to adequately research all impacts on communities, to include; environmental, economic, and social.

2) The goal of the state legislation will be for natural gas exploration and extraction in North Carolina to be a model enterprise for other states to follow.

3) Any legislation leading to the approval of natural gas drilling in NC will protect the environment of our state and in the event of any damage will require the gas industry to make all necessary repairs at the industry's expense.

4) NCDENR put permitting processes in place that protect our state and county.

5) Any legislation preserve local government's authority to protect the property rights of its citizens and the jurisdiction's infrastructure.

6) The legislature establish appropriate bonds and fees for the industry to cover the impacts that will affect our community and ensure that local governments will share in that revenue so they can continue to provide existing services at a high level and provide new services emanating from the development of the gas industry.