Lack of Trust with State Brings Fracking Moratorium Back To the Table

AVON — The Avon Town board is considering re-enacting the moratorium that was let to be expired a mere couple months ago.

The Avon Town moratorium on hydrofracking expired this past June however discussions have emerged among the Avon Town board on whether or not to bring the moratorium back after recent actions by the state regarding the potential shut down of the desalination plant that operates above the collapsed Akzo Salt Mine.

“The original moratorium was about education,” said Jim Campbell, Attorney for the Town of Avon. “This second moratorium is justified because now we have to decide what we want to do and how we are going to do it.”

The moratorium has not been put in place and will only be put into place after a vote in from the Avon community. The moratorium would not effect existing gas wells, none of which are being horizontally fracked.

According to David LeFeber, Avon Town Supervisor, it is likely that a public hearing will be set at the next board meeting to be held on October 10.

“I put a lot of stock in New York State to issue permits and things like that but now I see that the state is walking away from environmental concerns,” said LeFeber.

If the community votes to re-enact the moratorium on hydrofracking it would only be for a one year term.

“To protect the community it falls back into the home rule,” LeFeber said.