The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reaffirmed its commitment to work in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) on any potential federal mineral lease opportunities within the state.“We believe that it is imperative to have open and collaborative communications with all of our state partners when examining potential federal mineral leasing opportunities. This will be especially important with the recent activities in the state of Ohio," said Tony Herrell, the Associate Director for the BLM Eastern States Office. In March of 2013 the BLM published an Environmental Assessment (EA) of potential leasing operations in the Blue Rock State Forest region. Prior to publication, ODNR provided BLM with data and access to the land so BLM could review the feasibility of potential lease operations in the region.There is currently one lease in operation in the area.“While ODNR participated in the initial EA NEPA process, a review of our files indicates that a draft copy of the EA was not provided to ODNR and consent was not granted. Until we have had an opportunity to fully vet the consent process with ODNR, BLM will withhold any decision to proceed with lease auctions," said BLM ESO spokesman Bob Gillcash.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
