Minutes - Feb. 28, 2012 Joint Meeting with Env. Aff. Board

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?� = 776 LEE COUNTY FEE 000co ocoo Q ao© Committed Today for a Better Tomorrow JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE LEE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS BOARD LEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AND TOWN OF BROADWAY OFFICIALS LEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER 106 HILLCREST DRIVE SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA 27330 FEBRUARY 28, 2012 A joint meeting was held by the Lee County Environmental Affairs Board, Lee County Board of Commissioners and representatives from the Town of Broadway on this date at 5 p.m., in the Gordon Wicker Conference Room, Lee County Government Center, 106 Hillcrest Drive, Sanford, North Carolina. Commissioners in attendance included Richard B. Hayes, Larry "Doc" Oldham, Nathan E. Paschal, Linda A. Shook, and James K. Womack. Commissioners Charles T. Parks and Robert T. Reives were absent. Staff in attendance included County Manager John Crumpton, County Attorney W. Dale Talbert, and Clerk to the Board Gaynell Lee. Dr. Jim Foster, Chairman of the Environmental Affairs Board (EAB) opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Chairman Linda Shook opened the meeting on behalf of the County Commissioners. The Town of Broadway did not have a quorum present. Dr. Foster led discussion concerning the possible shale gas extraction in Lee County and discussed research the EAB has completed over the past 14 months. Areas of concern expressed include pollution - particularly on the underground water supply, landowners left with unfair leases with gas companies, water pollution, and methane leaking into water supplies. Earlier this month the Lee County Environmental Affairs Board sent a letter to Raleigh lawmakers with several questions on the "fracking" issue. Legislators are waiting for a report from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources study on the pros and cons of the drilling. It was noted a draft copy of the report should be ready in mid - March. All three Boards' agreed the county needs to accumulate more scientific data on water and air quality, among other concerns, before North Carolina lawmakers allow the process of "fracking" in the state.