Environmental concerns addressed at county meeting

(By Meghann Evans, The Stokes News) - For the second time in the past few months, extra chairs had to be brought in to accommodate the crowd at a Stokes County Board of Commissioners meeting, and many people were there to address environmental concerns.

The Tuesday night meeting began with County Manager Rick Morris presenting his proposed budget to the commissioners. When the public comment session rolled around, hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” was addressed again by several people. But there is also another topic of environmental concern gaining attention in the county.

A few people were present to speak about a proposed land farming/bio-remediation facility near Big Creek. Kent Fulp has requested a special use permit for property located on the north side of Frye Road for a dedicated soil treatment facility. With the process of bio-remediation, microbes in the soil break down petroleum-based products in contaminated soil. Some residents fear the process could contaminate nearby water supplies.