Environmental Group Threatens Legal Action Over Leasing Of Wayne National Forest Land For Fracking

The Ohio Environmental Council plans to challenge the leasing of land in the Wayne National Forest to oil-and-gas drilling companies. The Council is asking President Obama to stop the leases and says it will look at taking legal action. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced last week it has leased 759 acres of forest to several fossil fuel development companies with future fracking in mind. Opponents contend opening public land to fracking will threaten public health and local wildlife by polluting the air and water. Those leasing the land are still required to get a permit before any drilling can begin. Some national forests in other states already allow fracking.