On June 26, 2014, the Mandeville City Council deferred a vote on a proposed resolution which would have attempted to prevent drilling in St. Tammany Parish by Helis Oil & Gas. Helis is expected to use the hydraulic fracturing method of extracting oil at the location.
The Mandeville City Council acknowledged that authority for permitting the well lies with parish and/or state authorities, and not with the Mandeville City Council. Therefore, according to Councilman David Ellis, any vote on the resolution would have been meaningless.
The City Council’s decision drew an angry response from opponents to the drilling, including members of the group, Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany. Opponents fear that fracking could cause environmental damage and endanger the Parish’s groundwater supply.
Slidell and Abita Springs have already passed anti-fracking resolutions.
For further updates, stay tuned to this blog, or contact Toni Ellington at 504-599-8500.
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