Summary
In 2008, Nockamixon Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania adopted an ordinance to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens and natural environment of the township. The ordinance recognizes the damages and harms to residents and ecosystems from oil and gas mining and says the township finds that corporate mining in Pennsylvania is incompatible with the protection and preservation of the health, safety, and welfare of residents in the township. The ordinance recognized rights of nature, banned corporate mining and chemical trespass, and gave residents various rights—including the right to a healthy environment and water.