The Perinton Town Board has introduced a draft law that, if passed, comes close to completely banning the practice of hyraulic fracturing in the town.
The board presented three amendments to the existing town zoning code on Wednesday that explicitly prohibit all extraction, exploration, and storage of petroleum and natural gas. The proposed changes to also include changes to the wording in the excavation law to further prevent the practice.
According to the draft law, the purpose of these revisions is "to avoid the adverse impacts from these prohibited uses and to protect the health, safety, and welfare" of town residents. The wording also prohibits the use of landfills to dispose of waste produced by fracking.
The proposed changes came in response to the request the Citizens' Alliance for a Pristine Perinton (CAPP), an anti-hydrofracking group that was formed earlier this year. They first asked the board to enact a fracking ban in March.
Now that they've seen the town respond, several representatives say they are happy with the town's actions.
"We know it was a hassle, but it will protect Perinton and the area, and we thank you for that," said CAPP member Rosemerie Stepanik.
Fellow member Joe Hoff voiced his support for the revisions at Wednesday's meeting, calling them "strong" moves that will ensure the town will be safer for generations to come.
"The thoroughness of their ordinances now unequivocally protects the residents of Perinton of the future," said Hoff, a grandfather of three. "It assures that their quality of life will remain at the same level."
There will be a public hearing on whether to pass the proposed amendments into law on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Perinton Town Hall.
The Perinton Town Board has introduced a draft law that, if passed, comes close to completely banning the practice of hyraulic fracturing in the town.
The board presented three amendments to the existing town zoning code on Wednesday that explicitly prohibit all extraction, exploration, and storage of petroleum and natural gas. The proposed changes to also include changes to the wording in the excavation law to further prevent the practice.
According to the draft law, the purpose of these revisions is "to avoid the adverse impacts from these prohibited uses and to protect the health, safety, and welfare" of town residents. The wording also prohibits the use of landfills to dispose of waste produced by fracking.
The proposed changes came in response to the request the Citizens' Alliance for a Pristine Perinton (CAPP), an anti-hydrofracking group that was formed earlier this year. They first asked the board to enact a fracking ban in March.
Now that they've seen the town respond, several representatives say they are happy with the town's actions.
"We know it was a hassle, but it will protect Perinton and the area, and we thank you for that," said CAPP member Rosemerie Stepanik.
Fellow member Joe Hoff voiced his support for the revisions at Wednesday's meeting, calling them "strong" moves that will ensure the town will be safer for generations to come.
"The thoroughness of their ordinances now unequivocally protects the residents of Perinton of the future," said Hoff, a grandfather of three. "It assures that their quality of life will remain at the same level."
There will be a public hearing on whether to pass the proposed amendments into law on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Perinton Town Hall.
