News Release

BLM Eastern States State Office

Media Contact: Kristen Peters, kpeters@blm.gov, 470-716-5648 April 18, 2025

BLM prepares for additional oil and gas leasing in Wayne National Forest

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – The Bureau of Land Management is taking an important step toward future oil and gas leasing and development within the Marietta Unit of Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. A supplemental environmental assessment recently released supports the restart of development on 65 existing leases and new competitive oil and gas leasing of parcels within 40,000 acres of federal mineral estate underlying National Forest System lands in Monroe, Noble, and Washington counties.

The evaluation builds on an environmental assessment of potential impacts from oil and gas leasing that was completed in 2016. In 2020, a federal district court found that the 2016 analysis needed to further consider impacts on federally protected species, water resources, air quality, and surface resources from using hydraulic fracturing techniques for developing oil and gas. The BLM, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, prepared the supplemental environmental assessment incorporating the additional analysis stemming from the court challenge, as well as public input, relevant new information, and best available science.

Today’s action is the culmination of more than two years of additional evaluation and public involvement. The analysis and decision were informed by more than 260 comments gathered during a 55-day public comment period and two public meetings.

With the analysis completed and decision record signed, operators may submit applications to drill on 36 existing oil and gas leases that were challenged in court, as well as 29 leases issued following subsequent lease sales that relied on the 2016 environmental assessment, but that were not part of the litigation. The decision does not approve any oil and gas construction, development, or operation for previously leased parcels. Specific development proposals in the applications will require additional consideration and analysis by the BLM, the Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Additional information about the supplemental environmental assessment, the decision record, a and a NEPA finding of no significant impact are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.

–BLM–

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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April 17, 2025

The signed Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision documents can now be accessed by clicking the 'Documents' link on the left side of this page. 

For more information on the project, click the "FAQs" link on the left side of this page.

For media inquiries, contact Kristen Peters, BLM Eastern States, Deputy State Director - Communications, [email protected], 470-716-5648

For other inquiries, contact Derek Strohl, BLM Assistant District Manager – Mineral Resources, Northeastern States District, [email protected], 414-403-6404

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April 9, 2025

The final Supplemental Environmental Assessment is now available by clicking the 'Documents' link on the left side of this page. No decision approving the action has been signed yet. A Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision are forthcoming at a later date this month.

May 18, 2024

The Public Comment period has now closed

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Announcement
BLM Northeastern States District Office

Media Contact: Carlie Swa, [email protected], 414-297-1236

April 29, 2024

BLM extends comment period on environmental analysis for oil and gas leasing in Ohio

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — In response to several requests, the Bureau of Land Management is providing more time for the public to provide input on a draft supplemental environmental assessment evaluating possible impacts from potential oil and gas leasing within the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. BLM will accept comments until 11:59 Mountain Time on May 17, 2024.

“Although the BLM had already provided an extended 45-day comment period, we added the maximum extension possible for 10 extra days to allow for additional time to provide feedback,” said BLM Northeastern States District Manager Pamela Mathis. “Comments that present specific or missing items are particularly valuable to us as we strive to have the best possible environmental analysis.”

This evaluation builds on an environmental assessment of potential leasing impacts completed in 2016. In 2020, a federal district court found the 2016 analysis needed to further consider the specific impacts of using hydraulic fracturing techniques on federally protected species, water resources, air quality, and surface resources.

The environmental review analyzes impacts from potential oil and gas leasing on approximately 40,000 acres beneath National Forest System lands on Monroe, Noble, and Washington counties. The subsurface parcels have either been leased for oil and gas development or have the potential for future leasing and development.

To view the draft supplemental environmental assessment and supporting documents and learn how to provide comments, visit the BLM National NEPA Register.   

–BLM–

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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April 23, 2024

To view both of the recordings from the virtual information sessions held on April 8 & 9, 2024, click "Documents" on the left side of this page and then under Documents, find "Virtual Public Meeting Recordings" and click the document in the center of the page for either April 8 or April 9.

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March 20, 2024

BLM seeks input on additional environmental analysis for oil and gas leasing in Ohio

In response to a 2020 court ruling, the Bureau of Land Management has prepared a draft supplemental environmental assessment evaluating possible impacts from potential oil and gas leasing within the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio, and is seeking public input on the draft. BLM will accept public comments on the draft analysis until May 6, 2024. Click the How to Get Involved link on the left side panel for opportunities to provide comment on the project.

This evaluation builds on an environmental assessment of potential leasing impacts completed in 2016. In 2020, a federal district court found the 2016 analysis needed to further consider the specific impacts of using hydraulic fracturing techniques on federally protected species, water resources, air quality, and surface resources. BLM, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, has prepared the draft supplemental environmental assessment incorporating the direction of the court, previous public input, relevant new information, and best available science.

This environmental review analyzes impacts from potential oil and gas leasing on approximately 40,000 acres beneath National Forest System lands in Monroe, Noble, and Washington counties. The subsurface parcels have either been leased for oil and gas development or have the potential for future leasing and development.

BLM and Forest Service will use this evaluation when making future decisions on whether to allow additional oil and gas leasing in the area. Any oil and gas development on previously leased parcels will require additional consideration and analysis by BLM and Forest Service.

BLM will hold two virtual informational sessions where the public will have an opportunity to learn more about the draft supplemental environmental assessment and ask questions. The sessions will occur Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 6-8 p.m. ET. Each session will start with a brief presentation by BLM staff. To participate, register for a session at the links below:

                Apr. 8: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x10_Z-CsTE6VjKOe50MDig

                Apr. 9: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_H74jueerRDyT_H5juhaxYg

BLM is committed to providing access to the information meeting for all participants. Individuals who need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should contact BLM in advance at [email protected]. People who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to leave a message. You will receive a reply during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

For Media Inquiries contact: Kristen Peters, BLM Eastern States, Deputy State Director - Communications, [email protected], 470-716-5648

For General Inquiries contact: Kurt Wadzinski, BLM Northeastern States District, Planning & Environmental Coordinator, [email protected], 414-297-4408

Click the Documents link on the left side panel to access the draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment, appendices, and supporting documents for this analysis including the 2016 EA, FONSI and Decision Record, Court Orders, and the 2020 Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario (RFDS).

Click the Maps link on the left side panel to access a map of the project area.

Click the How to Get Involved link on the left side panel for opportunities to provide comment on the project.

Click the FAQs link on the left side panel for Frequently Asked Questions on the Supplemental Environmental Assessment for Oil and Gas Leasing on the Wayne National Forest Marietta Unit.

Click the Related Projects & Links link on the left side panel for additional information, such as laws and regulations related to the project 

Background: 

The BLM prepared the 2016 EA to evaluate the anticipated environmental impacts of proposals to lease Federal mineral estate underlying the Wayne National Forest, Athens Ranger District’s Marietta Unit, located within Monroe, Noble, and Washington counties in Ohio. The parcels that could be leased as part of the Proposed Action consisted of current and future Federal mineral estate underlying National Forest System (NFS) lands and designated available for leasing, totaling approximately 40,000 acres. In May and June 2016, the FS provided consent to issuance of the leases challenged in the litigation and subsequently consented to additional leasing proposals.

In October 2016, after publishing the 2016 EA, the BLM issued a decision that authorized leasing of up to approximately 40,000 acres of Federal minerals in future quarterly lease sales. Approximately 1,800 of these subsurface mineral acres were leased through 36 leases during the December 2016 and March 2017 lease sales. On May 2, 2017, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and others filed the noted lawsuit, alleging violations of NEPA and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Plaintiffs amended the complaint on July 5, 2017, to add alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Among other things, the amended complaint asked the Court to vacate 36 leases issued in the December 2016 and March 2017 sales. Over the next two years, a total of 29 additional leases were issued at six subsequent lease sales (September 2017, December 2017, March 2018, December 2018, September 2019, and December 2019), but were not initially challenged in the litigation. 

On March 13, 2020, the Court issued an opinion adverse to the government and called for the parties to submit briefs on appropriate judicial remedy. With respect to deficiencies identified in the CBD case, the need to develop a Supplemental EA was established by the court’s finding that neither the USFS nor the BLM had taken a hard look at the reasonably foreseeable impacts of hydraulic fracturing operations in the WNF, including:

(1) impacts of surface-area disturbance;

(2) cumulative impacts on the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and the Little Muskingum River and other local water sources; and 

Based on the analysis in this Supplemental EA, BLM will decide whether, in the future, to lease available NFS parcels in the WNF Marietta Unit for oil and gas drilling and, if leased, what terms and conditions would apply to these leases. In addition, due to the CBD decision, the agencies must also determine whether, based on consideration of the impacts identified in this NEPA document, the prior BLM leasing decisions and USFS consent to BLM’s proposals to lease—challenged in CBD and resulting in issuance of 65 leases—comply with NEPA and will be affirmed, or whether those actions will be revised.

This Supplemental EA addresses the information and alternatives that the BLM’s 2016 EA analyzed and supplements them with consideration of the 2020 RFDS and additional analyses in response to CBD. In particular, this Supplemental EA analyzes the impacts from the use of high-volume hydraulic fracturing technology on NFS lands and BLM-administered mineral estate in the WNF Marietta Unit. The decisions that will follow this Supplemental EA only apply to NFS lands and BLM-administered mineral estate; no decisions based on this Supplemental EA would change the independent rights or authority of private landowners or other surface-management agencies. Information from the 2016 EA (BLM 2016) is incorporated by reference throughout the Supplemental EA.