Oil and Gas Drilling at Salt Fork State Park

Oil and gas drilling will take place at Salt Fork State Park.

The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission granted Infinity Natural Resources Ohio, the rights to fracking at Salt Fork.

The lease includes additional restrictions related to ODNR properties, including setbacks for well placement off of state park grounds, water quality testing and restricted drilling times.

Every lease includes 12.5 percent royalty paid to the state for production, with an additional financial incentive paid by the winning bidder to the state. Royalties and incentives paid to the state would go back to the agency that leases the mineral rights.

Two other properties will see drilling including the Zepernick Wildlife Area and Valley Run Wildlife Area. The total lease bonuses for ODNR properties selected by the commission amount to $59.7 million.

Fracking opponents decry the commission for lack of transparency, as there have been no public hearings and say the commission is giving in to corporate greed.