U.S. Bureau of Land Management Auctions Nearly 3,000 Acres of Ohio's Wayne National Forest for Oil and Gas Development
The U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has leased nearly 3,000 acres of the Wayne National Forest in Ohio for oil and gas development. This action follows an online auction where 40 parcels within the forest were sold, generating over $11 million. The highest bid reached nearly $10,000 per acre for a parcel in Monroe County. This move has drawn criticism from environmental groups, who warn of potential damage to the region, while industry officials argue it is necessary to meet national energy demands. The BLM had announced its plans to lease the land in July, and the auction proceeded after a mandatory protest period. This is not an isolated incident, as the BLM is also offering National Forest land in other states, including New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, for similar bids.
