Miami-Dade Votes To Ban "Fracking"

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Taking a proactive measure to protect the county's water supply, the Miami-Dade commission has passed a ban on well stimulation, including the process known as "fracking," for gas or oil exploration.

"We cannot accept the risks to our quality of life and economy associated with fracking," said Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, prime sponsor of the ordinance.

The legislation prohibits land use for any process that involves injecting fluid into a rock formation. The fluid used for fracking includes a host of additives such as caustic acid or solvents, which would be detrimental to water supplies if they were to leach into local aquifers.

Representatives of organizations such as Urban Paradise Guild, Food and Water Watch and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida spoke in favor of the ban during a public hearing in September.

The local ordinance was designed to avoid preemption by the state of Florida by using the County's zoning laws to prohibit well stimulation.