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-n- <br />LEE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS BOARD x' <br />e Serving Lee County. City of Sanford and Town of Broadway <br />Post Office Box 3729. Sanford, North Carolina 27331 -3729 <br />April 20, 2012 <br />Mr. John Crumpton, County Manager <br />Chairman and Lee County Commissioners <br />PO Box 1963 <br />Sanford, NC 27331 -1968 <br />Dear Manager Chairman and Commissioners: <br />It is my privilege, as chair of the Lee County Environmental Affairs Board to share with <br />you the collective advice of the EAB concerning the possible development of the natural <br />gas industry in our county. The EAB has been studying this issue since January of 2011. <br />As the duly appointed body assigned to research and recommend on environmental <br />issues, we function as it non - partisan, non- biased board dedicated to addressing matters of <br />concern through researching and studying the most recent information on both sides of <br />the issue. <br />The recently released preliminary report by DENR on the extraction of natural gas states <br />"DENR believes that hydraulic fracturing can be done safcly if the right protections are in <br />place ". The Lee County EAB is and has been focused on the "IF" part of that statement. <br />According to the DENR report and our studies, a number of states have experienced <br />problems associated with natural gas exploration and development because the <br />appropriate measures were not in place from the beginning. <br />We encourage our local officials and the state Icgislature to not make the same mistake. <br />We believe a regulatory framework needs to be developed with local input and put in <br />place with appropriate finding for staff and resources to enforce the regulations before <br />any gas well permits are issued in North Carolina. <br />In accordance with our mission and purpose we oftcr the following attachment on how to <br />best ensure quality of life in Lee County should the natural gas industry develop in our <br />region. <br />I trust you will find these recommendations of value as you deliberate with the best <br />interests and wellbeing of the Lee County, Sanford and Broadway conununitics in mind. <br />Respectfully,,, <br />J ONI% W. mmy W. Foster, Ed.D. <br />Chairman <br />Jimmy W. Foster. Chairman Richard B. Hayes, Lee County Commissioner <br />Christopher Bryant .lane J. Smith <br />Craig Shore Ophelia Livingston APR 2 U 2�1 <br />Brooks Gage Raymond .l. Martin <br />David Silvey Mary Ann Holt <br />