Ohio panel greenlights fracking under state park, wildlife areas

The Oil and Gas and Land Management Commission voted Monday to award fracking rights for several state-owned parcels of land, including Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County. Per Andrew Tobias and Jake Zuckerman, West-Virginia based Infinity Natural Resources offered the state $58.4 million, plus 20% of future natural gas revenues, as part of its winning bid. The company now must complete negotiations with state regulators on the details, including permitting, before it can begin drilling. The OGLMC also awarded fracking rights to Texas-based Encino Energy Partners to drill under smaller parcels under Valley Run Wildlife Area in Carroll County and Zepernick Run Wildlife Area in Columbiana County. 

Groups like Save Ohio Parks and the Ohio Environmental Council are continuing to fight for the parks.