Ohio lawmakers are currently considering a measure that would fast track fracking on public lands. But there’s debate over whether it would allow drilling activity in state parks.
The bill would allow drillers who are working on private property that’s separated by state lands to drill through those lands. Republican Rep. Al Landis of Dover says the drilling would be thousands of feet underground, because a commission would have to allow drilling on the surface in state parks.
“I think that the law protects the state parks the way it stands right now, and this does nothing to change that,” Landis said.
But Democratic Rep. David Leland of Columbus says he wants an amendment to that bill banning drilling on the surface in state parks.
“While we may be engaging in fracking in other parts of the state, we all need to fight to make sure we preserve the integrity of our public lands,” Leland said.
The Ohio Environmental Council has concerns too – saying it fears the bill could open up local parks for fracking as well.
