State Parks, State Forests and Lake Erie Protected For Now
As the new home of Ohio PIRG's environmental work, Environment Ohio can be contacted regarding this news release.
COLUMBUS—Last
week, the legislative leaders made it clear that they don’t intend to
move a controversial, industry-backed drilling bill anytime soon. The
bill, which Rep. Hagan (50-Alliance) had originally planned to
introduce within the next few weeks, would open Ohio’s public
lands—including state parks, forests, nature preserves, and Lake
Erie—to oil and gas drilling.
“This
is huge victory for Ohioans,” said Selena Hoffman of the Ohio Public
Interest Research Group, a statewide, nonprofit environmental advocacy
organization. “Our state parks and forests should be protected for use
by Ohio’s families, not exploited by industry for their own profit.”
Rep.
Hagan’s bill has come under intense criticism from thousands of
Ohioans, who see his legislation as an industry-handout at the expense
of Ohioans. Ohio’s public lands provide both recreation and an economic
boost for the state. Over 55 million people visit our state parks each
year. Last year, Ohio’s state parks had an overall economic impact of
$1.1 billion dollars and provided over 7,500 jobs for Ohioans. State
parks make up less than 3% of Ohio’s land.
“The delay put on the bill shows that our voices were heard at the Statehouse,” said Hoffman.
While
it seems as though pro-drilling legislation will not come before the
legislature’s summer recess, it is clear that industry is still pushing
the bill.
Senate
Bill 193, a companion bill to Rep. Hagan’s legislation, was put on hold
early this winter. That legislation, introduced by Senator Armbruster
(13-North Ridgeville), would create an Oil, Gas, and Timber Leasing
Board. This board would lease out Ohio’s state parks, forests, and
nature preserves for drilling and logging.
