Green rolling grass field with some trees

The Salt Fork State Park golf course is in Ohio’s largest state park, at 20,000 acres. Oil and gas fracking there will industrialize this pristine area acquired for and dedicated to the people of Ohio for their pleasure and enjoyment. (Photo Provided)

The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission will consider fracking two large tracts at Salt Fork State Park, two wildlife areas and two rights-of-way along state highways at its Monday, Dec. 9 meeting.

The 1 p.m. meeting will be held at the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Charles D. Shipley Building, 1970 W. Broad St. in Columbus. A rally is planned for 12:15 p.m. outside the building.

"At 20,000 acres, Salt Fork State Park is Ohio's largest state park," said Anne Sparks, steering committee member at Save Ohio Parks. "This pristine area belongs to the people of Ohio in perpetuity, not politicians in office for a term or two. Twenty-four hour lights, noise and increased truck traffic will negatively impact people's health, disturb park user experiences and shrink its bird, animal and plant populations. Of note is that the commission delayed a decision on Salt Fork at its October meeting so it could read more than 300 public comments against fracking."

On the agenda for discussion, with possible approval or denial for fracking:

.       24-DNR-0007 and 24-DNR-0008 Salt Fork State Park. Nominations to frack 371 acres of Salt Fork State Park in Jefferson Township, Guernsey County, from a well pad three miles away and another 513-acre parcel from a well pad almost two miles away.

.       24-DNR-0009 Leesville Wildlife Area. This nomination is to frack 171 acres of Leesville Wildlife Area in Orange Township, Carroll County, from a well pad two miles away.

.       24-DOT-0012. This nomination is to frack .179 acres along State Route 149 in Smith Township, Belmont County, from a well pad one mile away.

Bids to be discussed and possibly awarded for land already approved for fracking:

.       24-DNR-0003 Egypt Valley Wildlife Area. A bid may be awarded to frack 30 acres in Flushing Township, Belmont County, from a well pad two miles away. This area is land reclaimed from decades of surface mining - popular with hunters, anglers and birders.

.       24-DOT-0011. A bid may be awarded to frack 4.7 acres along State Route 800 in Center Township, Monroe County, from a well pad two miles away. Leesville Wildlife Area is a popular public hunting area wrapped around Leesville Lake, which provides backup drinking water to the area. It's also surrounded by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD).

The water district recently signed a $40 million lease allowing Encino Energy to frack under the lake. Encino's Ohio arm, Encino Acquisition Partners, is 98 percent owned by the Canadian Pension Plan. According to Cleveland.com, the water district has sold more than one billion gallons of water to gas and oil operators.

"Ohio sells water to gas and oil companies for one-third of a cent per gallon, among the lowest prices in the industry," said Sparks. "There's no state-mandated limit set to the amount of water that can be taken overall.  Fracking destroys fresh water taken from Ohio's lakes and streams."

After fracking, "produced" wastewater is toxic, often radioactive, and unfit for human consumption forever. This wastewater is trucked away and stored deep underground in state-licensed Class II injection wells, which can leak and threaten local drinking water supplies.

"Selling our freshwater for fracking is outrageous, especially when we see farmers receiving $10 million from the state for the devastating economic consequences of extreme drought much of Ohio suffered from last summer and fall," said Leatra Harper of Freshwater Accountability Project based in Grand Rapids, Ohio. "Together we fight for the right of all Ohioans to enjoy our parks and public lands in their natural, unspoiled states. We do this not just for us, but for our children, grandchildren, and those we love best."

To register for the rally, visit bit.ly/oglmc12-9. To carpool to Columbus, visit https://bit.ly/4fYbK0T.

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Save Ohio Parks is a statewide 501(c)(4) social welfare organization founded by Ohio citizens concerned about the health, environmental and climate-warming effects of fracking under our state parks and public lands. Its website is saveohioparks.org.

Freshwater Accountability Project is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting Ohio's clean water.