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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2016.03.30 - 22272MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION#16087 BY: Commissioner Janet Jackson, District #21; Commissioner Nancy Quarles, District #17; Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, District #13; Commissioner David Bowman, District #10; Commissioner Bill Dwyer, District #14 IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL 5258 — AMEND 1994 PA 451 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS the State of Michigan is rich with unspoiled nature — abundant with wildlife, surrounded by freshwater coastlines, lakes that are like vast oceans, and magnificent blue skies; and WHEREAS it is essential to preserve and protect Michigan's abundant natural resources and its wholesome environment; and WHEREAS the mission of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality is to promote wise management of Michigan's air, land, and water resources to support a sustainable environment, healthy communities, and vibrant economy; and WHEREAS the Michigan State Legislature recognizes their responsibility and the importance to continuously protect Michigan's environment, its vast natural resources, as well as, its residents and communities; and WHEREAS in 1994 the Natural Resources and Environmental Protect Act - Act 451 was enacted by the Michigan State Legislature; and WHEREAS conditions exist in Act 451 that prohibit the issuance of permits or authorizations to drill oil or gas wells unless all legal requirements have been met; and WHEREAS there are approximately 14,000 active and producing wells in the State of Michigan, 179 in Southeast Michigan of which 19 are in Oakland County according to the Department of Environmental Quality; and WHEREAS Section 6150b states a drilling permit shall not be issued or authorize the drilling of an oil or gas well if the well is located within 450 feet of a residential building and the residential building is located in a city or township with a population of 70,000 or more; and WHEREAS these conditions are insufficient to protect the people, the environment and the natural resources in regards to the current proximity of residential areas and the local communities; and WHEREAS citizens' concerns of the potential for accidents have been validated as in June 2013, Leoni, Michigan an oil well exploded after West Bay Exploration claimed there were no safety concerns about their wells in the area and one man was killed; and WHEREAS in Kingsley, Michigan on March 9, 2014 an oil well fire ignited and according to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was "reasonably sure" the fire was due to a mechanical problem and that clean-up may require the removal of some soil; however, the full extent was unknown until the actual clean-up was implemented; and WHEREAS the residents of Shelby and Scio, Michigan, experienced round-the-clock noise, bright lights and other nuisances from oil well construction near their homes in the summer of 2014 and residents said regulatory changes do not do enough to protect communities reported Keith Matheny of the Detroit Free Press; and WHEREAS recent legislation, House Bill 5258, has proposed an amendment to 1994 PA 451 to enhance the protection of Michigan's residents and local communities as well as its environment and natural resources with the following: • in order to issue a permit or authorize the drilling of an oil or gas well in a county with a population of 750,000 or more specified conditions must be met; and • proposed well must be located at least 2,000 feet, no longer 450 feet, from a residential building; and • the location of the proposed well and its operation must be in compliance with applicable local ordinances; and • the Department has held a public hearing in the city, village, or township in which the proposed well is to be located and has considered input from the public at the public hearing; and • the owner or owners of all residential buildings located 2,000 feet of the proposed well give written consent; and Commissioner David Bowman District #10 Commissibner )rt,' WHEREAS enacting HB 5258 will provide enhanced protection to residents and the local communities, along with the preservation of the environment and the natural resources that are in the proximity of the oil well drilling sites. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby support the passage of House Bill 5258 - Amend 1994 PA 451 - Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to enhance the protection of Michigan's residents and local communities and the preservation of Michigan's environment and natural resources in proximity of oil well drilling sites. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is directed to submit a copy of this resolution to the Board's legislative lobbyists, the Office of the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader and the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature. Chairperson, we move the adosit.c-of-the-firkgoing Resolutio Commissionet Nialfdy Quarles District #17 Commissioner Marcia Gershehton District #13 Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Commissioner Commissioner District # District # Resolution #16087 March 30, 2016 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.