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August 10, 2012 I Volume 6 I Issue 15 <br />Zoning Bulletin <br />show that the construction will cause significant harm. Reportedly, "[t]he bill <br />would also make it harder for residents to request a public hearing before a <br />permit is issued, remove local zoning that is stricter than the state's and pro- <br />hibit the denial of a permit for not being in the public interest." The bill was <br />approved by the state Senate in early June, and now awaits House <br />consideration. <br />Source: Great Lakes Echo; htty://greatlakesecho.orz <br />PENNSYLVANIA <br />The state's General Assembly "has approved legislation that places a drill- <br />ing moratorium on any oil or gas operations in the South Newark Basin which <br />lies under much of Bucks County." Proponents of the moratorium tout it as <br />being "entirely appropriate at this point in time because it gives all of the <br />interested stakeholders in the process local residents, scientists and govern- <br />ments —the ability to study the formation in depth and to determine the next <br />appropriate steps on whether or not drilling is even possible or desirable." <br />Source: Bucks Local News; httv://www.buckslocalnews.com <br />WASHINGTON <br />The Maple Valley City Council approved a ban on medical marijuana col- <br />lective gardening. Under a new ordinance, collective gardens are prohibited <br />from being grown within the city limits. The reasons cited for the ban were <br />"[t]he conflict between state and federal law [regarding legality of medical <br />marijuana], and the concept of federal preemption." <br />Source: Covington & Maple Valley Reporter; httv://www.mavleval- <br />levrevortercom <br />WEST VIRGINIA <br />The Morgantown City Council has voted to limit gas drilling to 600 acres <br />surrounding the city's airport. Reportedly, the council "unanimously approved <br />six zoning ordinances restricting all mining and drilling to designated <br />industrial.,zones around the Morgantown Municipal Airport." Under the ordi- <br />nances, drilling sites must be 100 feet from the floodplain, 1,000 feet from the <br />public water supply intake, and 1,000 feet from the floodplain of the <br />Monongahela River south or upstream of the Morgantown Lock and Dam. <br />Source: The Marietta Times; htty.//www.mariettatimes.com <br />12 ©2012 Thomson Reuters <br />