Union County Board of Commissioners hears message to protect environment
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<p class="p1">An impassioned message to protect the environment was shared last week at a regular meeting of the <a href="http://blog.unioncountyil.gov/" target="_blank">Union County Board of Commissioners</a>. The message was voiced following reports that a drilling rig had made what was reported to have been a short-lived appearance in mid-November on property near Anna.</p><p class="p1">The county board meeting was Wednesday morning, Nov. 26, at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.</p><p class="p1">Nearly 50 people were on hand for the session. Social media was reported to have been a catalyst for the large turnout for the meeting.</p><p class="p1">Many of those at the meeting shared concerns about the potential impact that a drilling operation, and the related issue of hydraulic fracturing, could have on Union County's environment.</p><p class="p1">Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is utilized to release petroleum resources from beneath the earth's surface.</p><p class="p1">Fracking opponents say that the process utilizes vast quantities of water and creates wide-ranging environmental hazards.</p><p class="p1">Supporters see fracking as a way to help boost the economy in Southern Illinois.</p><p class="p1">Union County resident Tabitha Tripp voiced her concerns about the drilling operation. </p><p class="p1">Tripp has been spearheading local opposition to drilling and fracking operations. She asked the commissioners what action they could take to protect the county – and the people who live in the community.</p><p class="p1">Tripp said that she thinks such operations in Union County violate the community's right to a healthy environment. She particularly focused on the impact of drilling work on well water and the Cache River watershed in Union County.</p><p class="p1">"This is going to deplete and diminish the value of what we have in Union County," Tripp said. She urged county officials to "think very carefully about allowing such industry to come into Union County."</p><p class="p1">"We appreciate what we have now and we don't want to give it up to dirty oil," she said.</p><p class="p1">Tripp was given a standing ovation by many of those who attended the meeting after she completed a presentation which lasted for about 10 minutes.</p><p class="p1">Tripp received a positive response when she asked if the county board would consider working with local community members to review concerns about the issue. </p><p class="p1">County board chairman Don Denny said that the commissioners would be willing to discuss the matter further. The response was greeted with applause.</p><p class="p1">County commissioner Dale Russell voiced his appreciation to Tripp. Russell said concerns about water issues also were being raised in neighboring Johnson County.</p><p class="p1">Tripp had organized a meeting which was held several weeks in Anna to focus attention on the possibility that a drilling rig could be set up in Union County.</p><p class="p1">The rig was reported to have been at the site near Anna for only a couple of days.</p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p2"> </p><p class="p2"> </p>