An Ordinance of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, supplementing the Administrative Code of Allegheny County, Part 7, “Properties” and creating a new Article 707, entitled "County Parks”, to enact a hold on drilling and exploration for natural gas on Allegheny County park land, with the exception of Deer Lakes Park.
WHEREAS, it is stated in the Pennsylvania Constitution, Article I, Section 27, that the “people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania’s public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As Trustees of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people”; and
WHEREAS, park land is held in public trust and is a place for citizens to experience the natural environment and restore their spirits; and
WHEREAS, the Allegheny County Council under the Home Rule Charter, Article IV, Section 2 (k), is charged with land use decisions involving County-owned property; and
WHEREAS, in line with the Pennsylvania Constitution and the Charter, we view our role as stewards of Allegheny County for today’s citizens as well as future generations; and
WHEREAS, in August 2013 the Environmental Quality Board recommended new regulations for approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with the 2012 Oil and Gas Act, but because final approval has not yet been granted, the parameters of the proposed regulations are not yet known; and
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of Council that a hold on natural gas exploration and drilling on County Park land with the exception of Deer Lakes Park should be enforced for a period of time during which a thorough examination of the risks and liabilities shall be performed.
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Incorporation of t...
Click here for full text