LISBON - Government officials have finally scheduled a public forum to provide information about the natural gas boom under way in eastern Ohio counties.
The town hall meeting is set for 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the county Career Center. Attending will be representatives from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio EPA. The purpose of the event, being hosted by state Rep. Linda Bolon, is to educate residents about such issues as mineral rights, mineral rights leases, hydraulic fracturing and mandatory pooling.
While various groups, businesses and individuals have been hosting informational meetings around the county on the Marcellus and Utica shale leasing under way, this is the first involving officials from state agencies charged with regulating drilling in Ohio.
Other events have also been scheduled. The county Farm Bureau is hosting an informational session of its own at United Local High School at 7 p.m. Wednesday, while three attorneys are holding a public seminar about mineral leases on Oct. 14 at the Dutch Village Inn in Columbiana.
"The increasing interest in leasing land for oil and gas exploration in the Marcellus and Utica shales is creating attractive opportunities for landowners. It is also creating potential risks," said Alan Wenger, one of the attorneys, in a news release.
"Landowners need to be aware of all the costs and benefits associated with leasing their properties and the best way to capitalize on these opportunities," he concluded.
The Oct. 14 event is free but reservations are required; call 330-744-1111.
The other attorneys are Christopher Baronzzi and J. Bradley Allison. All three are partners in the law firm of Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, which has offices in Salem and East Palestine.
