TITLE
Update on the temporary moratorium on oil and gas development activities within Chatham County adopted in August 2015 and extended July 2017 and consider scheduling a public hearing on June 18, 2018 to consider an extension of the temporary moratorium on oil and gas development in the county
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Update on the temporary moratorium on oil and gas development activities within Chatham County adopted in August 2015 and extended July 2017 and consider scheduling a public hearing on June 18, 2018 to consider an extension of the temporary moratorium on oil and gas development in the county
Introduction & Background:
In August 2015, the Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance instituting a temporary moratorium on oil and gas development activities within Chatham County. Section 7 of the moratorium includes two tasks to be completed during the moratorium. In July 2017, the moratorium was extended to July 2018 to provide additional time to complete an oil and gas exploration study and draft amendments to the county's land use regulations (both ordinances are attached for reference).
Discussion & Analysis:
The moratorium expiration was 24 months from the adoption date, which was August 2017 and subsequently extended to July 2018. The two tasks listed under section 7 are as follows:
a) Studies: The Board of Commissioners will hire a consultant or consultants with expertise regarding fracking and other oil and gas development activities and their impacts on the natural, man-made, and social environments and its economic benefits and costs. The consultant(s) will be tasked to study Chatham County and to analyze state and federal regulatory programs and to prepare a report for the Board regarding the full range of expected impacts on Chatham County, including financial impacts. The study will include the most current analysis of impacts in localities similar to Chatham County in other states and the effectiveness of local ordinances in mana...
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