Rep. Brennan Submits Formal Comments Opposing Fracking at Egypt Valley Wildlife Area

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma) today submitted formal comments to the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission opposing two nominations that would allow fracking at Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, warning that the proposal threatens Ohio’s water resources and undermines decades of environmental restoration.

In his comments, Rep. Brennan urged the commission to reject nominations 26-DNR-0004 and 26-DNR-0005, citing the massive water demands associated with hydraulic fracturing and the long-term environmental risks to the region.

“Fracking requires tens of millions of gallons of fresh water for each well pad,” said Rep. Brennan. “Once that water is used, it becomes contaminated waste that is typically injected underground, permanently removing it from the natural water cycle.”

Research indicates that at least 1.9 billion gallons of fresh water will be used to frack nominations that have already been approved across Ohio. Rep. Brennan noted that this water is drawn directly from local watersheds and will never return to Ohio’s streams, lakes, or drinking water supplies.

Rep. Brennan also raised concerns about the location of the proposed drilling. Egypt Valley Wildlife Area is still recovering from decades of strip mining, and he warned that additional extraction could undo years of restoration work while putting nearby natural resources at risk, including Piedmont Lake.

“Egypt Valley has spent decades healing from strip mining,” continued Rep. Brennan. “Allowing fracking now risks reversing that progress and threatening one of the region’s most important natural resources.”

Rep. Brennan has been a vocal opponent of fracking on public lands, including areas within Ohio State Parks and state wildlife areas. He maintains that lands owned by the people of Ohio should be protected for conservation, recreation, and wildlife habitat rather than industrial extraction.

“Ohio’s public lands are meant to nourish our communities, support wildlife, and provide places for families to enjoy the outdoors,” concluded Rep. Brennan. “They should not be sacrificed for short-term extraction that permanently removes our fresh water from the natural cycle.”

Rep. Brennan is also encouraging Ohio residents to participate in the public comment process and make their voices heard.

Ohioans can submit comments opposing the nominations here.