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Regarding Hydraulic Fracturing in Lee County G 4 0 <br />a. Provide more educational programs for landowners and local <br />attorneys about the process of hydro - fracturing and the leasing of <br />mineral rights. <br />Ultimately the landowners in Lee County will decide if hydro - fracturing will <br />be done in the county. Gas companies cannot drill on land unless the owner <br />leases the mineral rights. With 50,000 acres of mineral rights not yet leased <br />landowners need more education about the entire process. We also need <br />county attorneys to become knowledgeable about gas leases so they can <br />better advise landowners. <br />b. Encourage local officials, state officials and DENR to proceed slowly <br />but deliberately, taking advantage of changing technologies, the newest <br />scientific information, the best practices from all over the world and <br />develop a model MASTER PLAN. <br />Given the area in Lee County is relatively small and the current price of <br />natural gas is low, the likelihood of this industry developing rapidly is <br />extremely low. Therefore we would encourage the state to take a measured <br />and deliberative approach; and to develop a plan that will truly protect our <br />community and the environment while contributing to the economic growth <br />of the area. <br />c. Significantly reduce the amount of water used in hydro - fracking by <br />utilizing alternative including, but not limited to: propane, or nitrogen, <br />or carbon dioxide. <br />In every state where natural gas has been extracted from shale there have <br />been issues about water, water duality and waste water treatment. Let's <br />greatly reduce the amount of water needed by encouraging gas companies to <br />use alternative ways of fracking. In Canada they are using propane and <br />other sites have used nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The DENR report <br />acknowledges Lee County is not a water rich area. The industry will <br />dramatically expand demand on these limited resources. <br />d. Develop a "state of the art" portable water treatment plant for waste <br />water. <br />There are companies with experience in treating waste water on site. It is <br />important to continue researching this method with the aim of reducing the <br />need to transport waste water over the primary and secondary roads serving <br />Lee County. <br />