NELSONVILLE, Ohio — The federal government will auction oil and gas leases covering 2,840 acres beneath Ohio’s only national forest, reviving concerns about industrial development, water quality and public access.
The Bureau of Land Management scheduled the online sale for Sept. 15 and will offer 41 parcels in the Monroe and Washington county sections of Wayne National Forest. A public protest period remains open through Aug. 17.
Winning a lease would not immediately authorize fracking. A company would still need to submit a drilling application, undergo an environmental review and receive federal permits before beginning development.
Environmental advocates argue large well pads, pipelines, truck traffic and air pollution could alter recreational areas and threaten nearby communities. The Ohio Environmental Council said the broader federal plan could eventually make approximately 40,000 acres available for oil and gas development. Federal planning documents confirm that the larger review covers about 40,000 acres beneath national forest land.
Industry representatives note that roughly 1,200 conventional wells already operate within the forest, although opponents say modern shale drilling requires substantially larger infrastructure.
Wayne National Forest covers approximately 244,000 acres across southeastern Ohio and attracts visitors for hiking, horseback riding, camping and off-road trails. The September auction will be its first federal oil and gas lease sale since 2017.
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