Did you know that all property and state parks owned/managed by ODNR (Ohio Department of Natural Resources) will be leased out for oil and gas exploration? Word is spreading like wildfire that this is a done deal.
Seems like some of the information and events about the exploration/drilling, resident's mineral rights, and well inspections have been happening outside of central Ohio. Of course, there might be political reasons that some of the public information meetings on gas/oil exploration in our state parks are not being covered by the local central Ohio media.
Cantonrep:
....A panel of Ohio Department of Natural Resources mineral resources managers, including deputy chief Tom Tugend, discussed the state’s oil and gas regulations and took questions during a presentation at Oakwood Middle School. About 500 people attended....
...some residents who haven’t signed lease agreements said they are worried they could be forced to surrender their mineral rights if neighbors allow drilling.
ODNR well permitting manager Mike McCormac said residents won’t lose their mineral rights, but they might be required through a mandatory pooling process to let companies drill under their property if the majority of their neighbors want drilling. Mandatory pooling is a long process and rulings can be appealed, McCormac said.....
The meeting was organized, according to the article, by ".....Plain Township trustee Louis Giavasis and Ohio Rep. Kirk Schuring, R-Jackson Township...." A quick check of the Ohio Secretary of State campaign finance website does indicate that Schuring, a Republican, has enjoyed some campaign contributions from individuals associated with oil and gas companies. Is he just helping out his friends?
Are you looking forward to a nice picnic in your nearby state park this summer with the sounds and air/water pollution coming from the drilling in the area? Cough. Cough.