The bill, introduced in the Ohio House Natural Resources Committee last week, seeks to outlaw the issuance of any permit or lease that would allow the removal of oil and natural gas from the bed of Lake Erie or from any state park property.
Reversing a Controversial Policy
HB 399 specifically aims to reverse a contentious provision from a 2023 bill, signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine, which permitted fracking in state parks. Co-sponsor Representative Tristan Rader (D) stated that the legislation is essential for fulfilling the state’s environmental stewardship responsibilities.
“Ohioans expect us to act as stewards of our environment and public lands, not just for today, but for the generations that will come after us,” said Rep. Rader in a press release. “This bill reaffirms that responsibility and ensures that our most iconic and sensitive public spaces are permanently protected from industrial exploitation.”
The push for the ban follows growing public concern over several developments in the past year, including the authorization of fracking at Salt Fork State Park, Ohio’s largest state park, and the leasing of land for oil and gas development at Wolf Run and Valley Run state parks.
Focus on Lake Erie Protection
While the original 2023 law focused on state parks, HB 399 broadens the scope of protection to include the waters of Lake Erie . Lake Erie is a vital source of drinking water for millions of people and an economic driver for the state’s tourism and fishing industries.
Environmental advocates have voiced strong support for the bill, emphasizing the catastrophic risk that oil and gas extraction poses to the Great Lake’s fragile ecosystem.
“Allowing drilling under Lake Erie is an unacceptable gamble with our most precious natural resource,” said a spokesperson for the Ohio Environmental Council. “This bill is a crucial step to protect the health of our communities and the integrity of the Great Lakes.”
The legislation will now move through the committee process, where it is expected to face significant opposition from the oil and gas industry and some business-focused lawmakers who argue that responsible extraction could generate revenue for the state. Supporters, however, are confident that the broad public and bipartisan appeal of protecting Ohio’s public lands and its greatest natural resource will see the bill through to a vote.