Drilling for gas in Ohio State Parks

[Superslif]

Article from the Cleveland Plain Dealer June 15th

Quote:

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's state parks will be open for oil and natural gas drilling for the first time under legislation the state Senate passed on Wednesday. The green light for drilling on state parkland comes just as experts are predicting a drilling boom in Ohio to tap into bountiful natural gas deposits. Leasing the state's land and collecting 1/8 of royalties will help pay for $500 million worth of needed maintenance and repairs at state parks. But cashing in could come with grave consequences, opponents of the bill said. "If you do the homework, there's a big question mark about the effects of shale drilling that hasn't been answered," said Sen. Tim Grendell, of Geauga County, who was the only Republican to vote against the bill. "I think we ought to put in as many safeguards as possible to protect the public from potential dangers." Growing concerns over hydrofracturing, or "fracking," a controversial extraction method, were heavily debated on the Senate floor. Opponents raised questions about chemicals used in the process and the potential interaction with groundwater. Republicans who supported the bill dismissed those concerns. "I have not seen any credible evidence with problems with fracking," GOP Senate President Tom Niehaus said. "People are citing decades-old information that just leads people to be confused. If people don't understand an issue then they tend to be very negative about it." The oil and gas deposits drawing attention in Ohio are known as Utica Shale, a rock formation 3,000 to 7,000 feet below the better-known Marcellus Shale, itself several thousand feet below the surface. Pennsylvania collected $128 million last year by leasing drilling rights in its forests and recently allowed drilling in its parks. Citing the potential for economic development and needed repairs at state parks, the Senate approved the bill by a vote of 22-10. Sen. Jason Wilson of Columbiana was the lone Democrat to vote in favor of the bill. Republican Sen. Jimmy Stewart, of Albany, excused himself from voting. Stewart recently announced he will leave the Senate for a job with the Ohio Gas Association. The House already has passed the bill and is expected to agree with amendments made in the Senate. Republican Gov. John Kasich also supports the bill. A new Oil and Gas Leasing Commission would oversee oil and natural gas exploration and drilling on state-owned land, which would be leased to the highest and best bidder. An official with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources would chair the commission, rounded out by four gubernatorial appointees. The commission would compile an inventory of state land, taking note of any obstacles to drilling. Oil and gas drilling and exploration has never happened at state parks while the land belonged to Ohio, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Environmental groups opposed the bill for several reasons. They fear drilling will mar the parks' natural beauty and damage the environment. "We simply believe that oil and gas extraction is unfit, unsafe, unsightly, unnecessary, and unwanted on Ohio's state parks and other state lands," Ohio Environmental Council deputy director Jack Shaner told lawmakers during committee hearings.

Been hearing about this off and on for a few years. I'm OK with it as long as it is in areas that are unused by the general public. From visiting PA. State Parks, you will notice areas where gas wells have been tapping for gas and oil for years.

It really didn't say if 100% of the royalties will be put back into the park system....Over the last 10-12 years the RVer's who use our state park camping areas, sure have seen the overnight site fees go up....

Funding from the state has been cut year after year...I would hate to see any royalties replace funding that would have come from the general fund anyways. These royalties should be used for renovations and help to keep overnight fees affordable...to the working class. Just my 2 cents....

[billyb]

you know that the parks might get 10% of the monies if we're lucky. it always seem to go into the "general"fund.

[tncruiser]

we are rather arrogant to think the "state" would really care what us peons think
drill baby drill
brianj

[Superslif]

I was only hoping...I remember back in 86 or 87' camping at Mosquito or Findley State Park's it was $5 or $6 a night. Now it $25 - $27 a night.

I do like the projects the state has done in the parks the last few years. New check-in stations at West Branch, Hocking Hills, Mosquito....The newer shower building at West Branch are very nice....

I paid $311 for 10 nights at Mohican for this July....