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DRAFT R01a- 039 s <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> RESOLUTION <br /> Shale Gas Development in North Carolina <br /> WHEREAS, the organic-rich shale deposits located in the Triassic Basins of North <br /> Carolina appear to contain potentially significant quantities of natural gas; and <br /> WHEREAS, a portion of Orange County is located in the Durham sub-basin of the Deep <br /> River Basin of Triassic age; and <br /> WHEREAS, North Carolina has historically had essentially no history of oil or gas <br /> exploration and development, and neither horizontal drilling or well fracturing are <br /> currently allowed in North Carolina; and <br /> WHEREAS, potential exists for the contamination of scarce surface water and <br /> groundwater resources, given some of the materials and procedures that are utilized to <br /> recover natural gas from deposits that were formerly unrecoverable; and <br /> WHEREAS, millions of gallons of water are routinely used for the hydraulic fracturing of <br /> each natural gas well, and the resulting wastewater, which typically contains elevated <br /> concentrations of salts, metals and other compounds, possibly including naturally <br /> occurring radioactive materials, must be disposed of properly; and <br /> WHEREAS, Orange County continues to participate in regional efforts to protect surface <br /> water resources, as well as plan for the utilization of these resources, throughout the <br /> Triangle region in a cooperative, safe, and sustainable manner; and <br /> WHEREAS, the lack of experience and regulatory protections in North Carolina means <br /> that several aspects of these practices must be thoroughly studied in order to develop <br /> the adequate and appropriate regulations that must be in effect to safely permit the <br /> exploitation of shale gas resources in North Carolina; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners does hereby urge the North Carolina General Assembly to maintain <br /> existing laws and regulations that prevent the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic <br /> fracturing in the State and to take no action that would weaken these laws and <br /> regulations before it is fully demonstrated that North Carolina public health, waters, <br /> land, air, economy, and quality of life can be protected from impacts that may occur by <br /> allowing the development of shale gas resources in the state. <br /> This the 17th day of April, 2012. <br /> Bernadette Pelissier, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board <br />