Bureau of Land Management Leases Wayne National Forest Acreage for Fracking
The Bureau of Land Management has leased 2,776 acres of Ohio's Wayne National Forest, located in Monroe and Washington counties, for over $11 million to out-of-state companies for fracking. This marks the first such lease sale in the forest since…
Columbus, OH, September 18, 2026 — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has authorized the leasing of 2,776 acres within Ohio’s Wayne National Forest for fracking operations. The leased land is situated in Monroe and Washington counties.
The leases were sold for a total exceeding $11 million. The lessees are identified as out-of-state companies.
This marks the first time since 2017 that the Bureau of Land Management has conducted a lease sale for fracking within the boundaries of the Wayne National Forest.
In response to the lease sale, environmental organizations have stated their intention to challenge the decision. Their opposition stems from concerns regarding potential pollution and the broader environmental impact of fracking activities on the forest.
Specific details regarding the names of the companies that acquired the leases, the precise amount received by the BLM beyond “over $11 million,” or the exact timeline for when these fracking operations are slated to begin were not immediately available.
The Wayne National Forest is Ohio’s only national forest, covering approximately 242,000 acres across several southeastern Ohio counties. Its ecosystem supports a variety of wildlife and natural resources.
The BLM’s decision to lease federal lands for oil and gas extraction, such as fracking, is part of its mandate to manage public lands for multiple uses, which can include resource development. However, these decisions often draw scrutiny from environmental advocates concerned about conservation and ecological preservation.
Environmental groups typically cite potential risks associated with fracking, including groundwater contamination, air pollution from drilling operations and emissions, increased seismic activity, and habitat disruption for local flora and fauna. These concerns are central to the planned challenges against the recent lease agreements. Further actions from both the BLM and the opposing environmental groups are anticipated as this situation develops.
Story summarized from the original created by Megan Henry on ohiocapitaljournal.com, see more information here.
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