Urgent Warning on Conservtion of Anthony Wayne National Forest
— Date: May 18, 2016
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is considering handing over 40,000 acres of the Anthony Wayne National Forest in southeast Ohio to the fracking industry. This land borders the Ohio River and thus West Virginia (Wetzel and Tyler Counties).
What’s at stake? Ohio’s only national forest, home to rare bird and wildlife species like the Ohio bobcat and cerulean warbler, and a beloved destination for people across our region.
Opening up the Wayne National Forest for fracking is a bad idea. Take action today to urge decision-makers to protect this national forest from fossil fuels.
If this wrongheaded plan is allowed to move forward, this national forest could be spoiled with fracking wells, flaring, and other oil and gas infrastructure. Trees would be cut down, areas would be off-limits to the public, and air pollution would be increased.
As we face increasing impacts from climate disruption, it’s clear that we need to keep dirty fuels in the ground, not dig up and spoil our precious public lands to further pollute our water, air, and climate.
Take action today to urge decision-makers to keep fracking out of the Wayne National Forest!
This is your chance to let BLM know how much you value preserving national forests like the Wayne from fracking and other fossil fuel extraction.
Thank you for speaking out,
Brian Kunkemoeller
Conservation Program Manager, Sierra Club
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Activists speak up about Wayne National Forest drilling
By Katie Woods, Akron Beacon Journal, May 24, 2016
In southeastern Ohio, landowners near the Wayne National Forest may be able to lease their properties for oil and gas development, but only after the U.S. Bureau of Land Management gives permission for the forest to be developed, too. The BLM is accepting public comments about the potential for leasing Wayne National Forest acreage for shale development.
Akron Beacon Journal reports that the Athens County Fracking Action Network (ACFAN) is asking for an extension of the BLM public comment period, which is set to be open until May 29, as well as a public hearing.
The announcement of the potential for fracking in the Forest brought up concerns. One concern voiced by activists opposing opening the Wayne National Forest to fracking is the volume of drilling waste received by southeastern Ohio counties and the potential environmental impacts created by disposing of that waste which would increase with fracking in the forest.
See also: http://www.FrackCheckWV.net