Alachua County Commissioner Ken Cornell introduced today at the regular board meeting the possibility of Alachua County adopting an ordinance banning fracking in the county.
This item was not on the agenda and this was noted by the commissioners.
The commissioners discussed this issue in an open-minded and intelligent fashion, but it was obvious that some needed more information about this destructive technique.
Some questioned the need for such an ordinance, but others expressed the feasibility of coordinating and endorsing a state-wide ban, and seemed amenable to this concept.
President Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson spoke succinctly to the issue and gave them solid information, as did environmentalist David Moritz, who is a member of Our Santa Fe River and the Ichetucknee Alliance.
Coinciding with this topic, it was rumored at this meeting and then apparently confirmed that Rep. Clovis Watson will co-sponsor the anti-fracking HB169 introduced by Rep. Jenne. This is a great stride forward and should certainly be a positive influence in any decision regarding this topic rendered by the Alachua County BOCC.
OSFR applauds this action by Rep. Clovis Watson, and is optimistic that the hard work put forth by many caring people may lead to a successful ban on fracking.
