Anti-fracking measure will be on November ballot

Voters will decide if fracking is to be banned in Monterey County.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to place an anti-fracking measure on the November 2016 ballot. Supervisors approved the wording voters will see on the ballot and instructed the County auditor to prepare a fiscal impact report by August 18, 2016.

Fracking is a controversial oil and gas-extracting process that involves injecting high-pressure water into wells to release gas from rocks. Numerous environmental groups oppose the process, claiming it produces large quantities of toxic waste water.

There are currently no fracking operations underway in the county.