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WHEREAS, natural gas extraction using the enhanced techniques o horizontal drilling <br /> and hydraulic fracturing, absent proper regulations and/or oversight in states other than North <br /> Carolina, has been associated with potentially adverse effects to human health and the <br /> environment, including but not limited to adverse impacts on infrastructure and contamination <br /> of water, air, soils, and land. <br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Commission for the <br /> Environment urges the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to set forth and <br /> enforce such measures and provisions that will protect public health and lands in the event <br /> that horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing activities are planned or conducted in or <br /> adjacent to Orange County, so as to help prevent, mitigate or abate the adverse effects on <br /> human health and the environment that such drilling-related activities may produce; <br /> IN ADDITION, BE IT RESOLVED, that such measures and provisions shall seek to <br /> protect and maintain drinking water supplies and prevent degradation in water quality, protect <br /> and maintain air quality, and protect soils, open land and natural areas; <br /> MOREOVER, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Commission for the <br /> Environment urges the Orange County Board of Commissioners to take steps to protect the <br /> rights of landowners from unfair or unclear contracts to lease mineral or natural gas rights and <br /> from possible forced pooling as contemplated by SB 820. <br /> This the 19th of June, 2012. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that she agreed with this resolution and she will try to do <br /> what she can. <br /> Tim Kirkpatrick made reference to the brochure on his home. He said that this is a <br /> home that he cannot sell. The assessed value of the home is $915,568 and he has it on the <br /> market for less than $600,000. It will not sell and has been on the market many times since <br /> 1992. He said that no one wants to buy this house and the sound is distracting from the <br /> interstate. He asked why his property tax is so high for something that he cannot sell. He has <br /> gone to the Tax Office and he was told that there that the deadline for an appeal was January <br /> 31St, but it is really June 14th, which he found out today. He asked for help with his taxes <br /> because his house is on the market for 60% of the tax value, but people will not buy it because <br /> they do not want to pay the taxes. <br /> Chair Pelissier said that the Board of County Commissioners does not deal with the tax <br /> values of individual property, but this will be referred and staff will respond. <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Aqenda <br /> (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Petitions by Board Members <br /> Commissioner McKee petitioned for staff to follow up with Mr. Kirkpatrick's concern <br /> about the deadline for tax appeals and the miscommunication about deadlines. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that his petition is to put out a press release and put up <br /> signs when the parking deck in Hillsborough is purchased. <br /> 4. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations <br /> a. Oranqe County Aq Tourism Farms Special Presentation <br /> The Board considered recognizing Orange County farmers that were featured in the <br /> March-April 2012 Chapel Hill Magazine as part of an Orange County Ag Tourism promotion <br /> and presented each of the farms with a framed farm profile. <br />