To the editor:

Recent legislation to permit oil and gas drilling under Ohio’s public lands will be very lucrative for our state. It’s projected to generate millions of dollars in revenue. Locally, Zepernick Wildlife Area is one of several locations approved for fracking. Leasing rights have been awarded to Encino Energy Partners to drill under the wildlife area.

Under the provisions of the Pittman Robertson and Dingell Johnson Federal Aid for Wildlife Acts, leasing proceeds from these activities should be allocated to the Division of Wildlife where they will be invested to provide for future needs and increase recreational opportunities for our citizens. However, the state legislature has not fulfilled its obligation to transfer the money from the general fund to the land holding agency budgets where the minerals came from.

The Pittman Robertson and Dingell Johnson Federal Aid for Wildlife Acts ensure that money generated from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, hunting and fishing supplies goes back to the wildlife agency to support, sustain and improve these areas.

Money raised through oil and gas leasing on lands purchased with these funds must be reinvested for Division of Wildlife Conservation Programs. Allocating the money to the general fund is a violation of Federal Aid for Wildlife Laws and will jeopardize millions of dollars in Federal aid reimbursements to Ohio.

In 2022, hunters, anglers, target shooters and wildlife watchers generated $12.5 billion in overall economic activity, $1 billion in local and state taxes and contributed $6.7 billion to the state GDP. Maintaining, expanding and improving our state wildlife areas ensures that this funding will continue and allows all Ohioans to enjoy the outdoors in our beautiful state.

It’s time for our state legislators to do the right thing and release the funds to the Division of Wildlife. If they fail to do so, they are failing to uphold the law and failing to maintain and sustain the wildlife areas that so many Ohioans enjoy every year.

Mary Ann Manning,

East Liverpool