11/15/2023

Ohio Okays Accepting Bids for Fracking Under State Park, Wildlife Areas

This will impact Salt Fork State Park and Zepernick Wildlife Area

Ohio will allow companies to bid for oil and gas drilling under a state park and two wildlife areas, a decision made as opponents vocally protested throughout the meeting.

Ohio's Oil and Gas Land Management Commission voted Wednesday to greenlight accepting bids for fracking under Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County, Valley Run Wildlife Area in Carroll County and Zepernick Wildlife Area in Columbiana County. Bids will be accepted starting in January.

The committee denied a request for Wolf Run State Park in Noble County, in part because of concerns about land used by Ohio State University. The university's Eastern Agricultural Research Station uses the land to conduct research into cattle reproduction, sheep management and other studies.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Columbus Dispatch.