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Judge to consider request for fracking injunction

A Southern Illinois judge is set to hear arguments in a lawsuit filed by landowners to stop high-volume oil and gas drilling in the state.

Madison County Judge Barbara Crowder on Tuesday will consider residents' request for a preliminary injunction to halt implementation of new state rules to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."

The lawsuit claims the Department of Natural Resources violated several procedures as it worked to write rules to implement a state law regulating fracking.

Among the allegations is that the DNR didn't consider scientific studies and that there was no agency representative available to answer residents' questions at public hearings.

Opponents fear fracking will cause pollution, health problems and earthquakes. Supporters contend the method is safe and will provide an economic boost to southern Illinois.

The complainants are Marie Smith of Madison County, Pope County landowners Mark Donham and Sam Stearns, Jefferson County landowner Vito Mastrangelo, Union County landowner Tabitha Tripp, Union County landowner Nathan Czuba, Johnson County landowner Annette McMichael and Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment.