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SANFORD – Public interest groups, residents of Lee County and other concerned citizens will hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 20, to speak out against hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

Anson County citizens have recently formed a group called Anson County’s W.A.L.L., which is also opposed to fracking.

The event will take place just prior to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6:30 p.m. hearing on the controversial gas extraction process. DENR will release its draft report late this week on natural gas and the potential impacts of fracking on local economies, infrastructure, landowners, public health and water supplies.

What: Press conference and vigil to oppose fracking in North Carolina.

Where: Sanford, Dennis Wicker Center, 1801 Nash St., in Lecture Room

When: March 20, 2012, Press conference at 5:45 p.m, followed by public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Speakers: Local residents and community leaders, representatives of key local and regional organizations protecting landowners, drinking water, rural health and quality of life.

Why: Last year, DENR committed to expanding the scope of its review of fracking impacts and to consider whether changing regulations to allow fracking in North Carolina is in the state’s best interests. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) are currently prohibited in North Carolina. An increasing number of organizations and municipalities have studied the effects of natural gas development, and have concluded that North Carolina is simply not ready to allow any changes to our protective regulations. There are too many unresolved questions about protections for communities, far too little knowledge and resources to regulate gas development, and growing documentation about serious contamination and economic problems in other states. More organizations and local governments are taking action supporting upholding the state’s current ban on fracking. To date, three municipalities in or near shale areas of North Carolina have acted to oppose fracking or regulatory changes that would allow it in the near future, with several others due to consider anti-fracking resolutions in the next few weeks. The Anson County Board of Commissioners plans to consider an anti-fracking resolution at its next meeting.