Ohio's public lands are being handed to oil and gas companies — and the approvals keep coming.

On June 29, 2026, the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission unanimously approved a new round of fracking leases on public land, adding Jockey Hollow Wildlife Area to the growing list of protected sites opened to industrial drilling. The vote advanced more than 20 bids, generating more than $240 million in lease bonuses. It passed over the vocal objections of community members who showed up in person to say no.

This is not a one-time decision. In March 2026, the same commission approved leases under Salt Fork State Park and Egypt Valley Wildlife Area. Since 2023, more than 11,600 acres of Ohio's state parks and wildlife areas have been approved for oil and gas extraction. Each vote expands the footprint. Each unanimous decision ignores a growing public demanding it stop.

Fracking is not a passive presence on public land. It brings methane leaks, heavy truck traffic, contaminated water sources, noise, light pollution, and land cleared for well pads and pipelines. Research has found that industrial drilling drives sensitive wildlife species permanently out of their habitat. These are not temporary disruptions — they are lasting changes to land that took decades to restore.

Ohio's public land belongs to the public. We call on the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director, and Governor Mike DeWine to reverse the June 2026 leases and place an immediate moratorium on new fracking approvals in Ohio state parks and wildlife areas.

Sign the petition to tell Ohio's leaders: the escalation has to stop.