Public invited to comment on oil and gas project beneath Ohio’s Zepernick Wildlife Area

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is accepting public comments until Thursday, Feb. 13, on a proposed oil and gas project beneath Zepernick Wildlife Area in Columbiana County. This public comment is a federal requirement per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for wildlife areas acquired with federal funds.

The project at Zepernick Wildlife Area is for horizontal drilling from off site. A mineral rights lease was signed between the ODNR Division of Wildlife and Encino Energy Partners following an Oil and Gas Land Management Commission meeting on Feb. 26, 2024, where it was announced Encino Energy Partners was selected as the “highest and best” bid for the leasing of state mineral rights at the wildlife area. All drilling infrastructure development will occur outside the wildlife area’s boundaries, according to the Ohio DNR.

NEPA allows the public to provide input on specific types of projects such as the one proposed at the Zepernick Wildlife Area. Public input helps inform the draft of an “Environmental Assessment” required by federal law. Federal laws and administrative rules of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant programs require the state to comply with NEPA.

The environmental assessment seeks to analyze a reasonable range of alternatives, evaluate potential issues and impacts, and identify mitigation measures to lessen the extent of adverse impacts. The environmental assessment will also review the proposed project’s impacts on noise, air, water quality, and cultural and recreational resources.

Learn more about the proposed project at wildohio.gov. Comments can be submitted via email to Stacy.Xenakis@dnr.ohio.gov, by phone 614-265-6321, or mailed to the Division of Wildlife, attn: Stacy Xenakis, 2045 Morse Road, Building G, Columbus, OH 43229.