COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a move that's been nearly a decade in the making, the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission has opened the door for oil and gas companies to apply for fracking operations under state parks.

The new program has been launched amid concerns from environmentalists and accusations of unnecessary delays from oil and gas drillers.

The application process, under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, allows oil and gas drillers to seek permission for drilling beneath public lands. Upon approval by the commission, a lease agreement is put in place.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission's rule on land leasing became effective on Sunday

  • The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the portal creates a streamlined process for getting parcel nominations without the need for use of traditional mail and paper checks

  • The commission will review nominations to make sure they are complete and comply with the state law and post the notices of nominations on the Commissions website

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said this portal will create a more streamlined process of receiving parcel nominations.

The Commission will review nominations to make sure they comply with state law and post the notices of nominations on the Commission’s website.

Posting the notice will trigger a 45-day public comment period, during which anyone can provide input that will ultimately factor into the Commission's decision of whether to approve a nomination.

According to Nate Moffitt, clerk for the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission, a meeting must be held within 120 days of receiving a nomination for the purpose of determining whether to approve or disapprove the nomination. That final decision to approve or disapprove a nomination must happen within 180 days. If a nomination is approved, then it will be put out to bid. 

Moffitt said this gives any party the opportunity to place a bid for the mineral leasing rights for the parcel that was nominated and approved. Any party interested in bidding on the approved nomination may submit a bid to the Commission during the open-bid period that includes all information required in statute. 

Rob Brundrett, president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, sees the new program as a way to speed up projects and increase efficiency in leasing lands.

"This is one way that'll help speed up those issues and be able to lease those lands in a more efficient and faster way," Brundrett said.

However, this program has not been well-received by everyone. 

Nathan Johnson, public lands director at the Ohio Environmental Council, referred to the move as a step backward.

"Leasing our state parks so the oil and gas industry can frack them for fossil fuels sends a message to the Midwest: Ohio is moving backward on climate change at a time when our state needs to step up as a leader and protect healthy outdoor recreation options for everyone," Johnson said.

"That it will be a while before Ohioans see any tangible changes from this new program," said Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, "If a property is then nominated, we don't know that one will be. But if it is nominated, then there's the potential for entering into a lease agreement after October." 

According to Mertz, state law allows companies to secure a lease agreement for drilling oil and gas without initiating operations for up to six years. The potential earnings from this new program are still uncertain. While Brundrett mentioned that the financial outcome won’t be known for months or even years, Mertz noted that there are specific restrictions on how the money from drilling operations can be utilized.

Groups wanting to nominate a parcel of land for leasing state mineral rights must provide the information requested and pay a $150 nomination fee. After that, the process can begin, according to Moffitt.