Resolution Number 2019 – 18
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2019 – 18
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE
PROPOSED CLASS II INJECTION WELLS
IN RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO
AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of St. Clairsville, in Belmont County, Ohio, have found that hosting Class II injection wells provide little to no benefit to the community, no guarantees of compensation, and no sustainable financial, business, or community improvements to the City or County; and
WHEREAS, oil and gas industry waste is legally exempt from federal hazardous waste regulations and from portions of the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS, Class II injection wells are poorly monitored for contaminant migration and commonly fail with broken or defective casings. Also it is known that the ODNR does not adequately consider the location, nor the local aquifers, stream, and rivers, when issuing permits; and
WHEREAS, injection wells have exploded and triggered earthquakes and many other negative environmental impact issues, too numerous to mention. Also, Belmont County is known for many abandoned mine shafts that could be infiltrated, making the area and geology more susceptible to problems from injection wells; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, as follows:
Section 1: That the City of St. Clairsville Council adamantly opposes the proposed injection well due to many unknown risks and potential harm to the City and geology of the area west of the City in Richland Township, along US-40/Ohio 331 and Pickering Road.
Section 2: That this legislation shall be forwarded to Governor Mike DeWine’s office and the Ohio State Legislature to move rapidly to freeze the issuing of Class II injection well permits in Ohio.
Section 3: That this Resolution is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and the safety of the residents of the City of St. Clairsville such that the Council for the City of St. Clairsville wishes to expeditiously express their opposition to the proposed Class II injection wells to the Governor and the Legislature of the State of Ohio.
Section 4: That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by the Charter of the City of St. Clairsville, Ohio.
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PASSED at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of St. Clairsville on this 15th day of July, 2019, by the affirmative vote of 7 members of the Council.