The question “Does the county commission have authority to pass an ordinance or moratorium to halt Hydraulic Fracture Drilling until it can be proven safe in Karst regions?” was raised by the Monroe County Commission. The answer lies in WV State Law.

What does the Law say?

Chapter 7-1-3kk of the West Virginia Code states as follows in reference to county commissions, “In addition to all powers and duties conferred by law upon county commissions, commissions are hereby authorized to enact ordinances, issue orders and take other appropriate and necessary actions for the elimination of hazards to public health and safety and to abate or cause to be abated anything which the commission determines to be a public nuisance”