“Our waterways are Ohio’s most precious resource. We must establish standards and eliminate dangerous pollutants to protect our drinking water for the health and well-being of current and future Ohioans,” said Rep. Lightbody.

House Bill (HB) 579, sponsored by Rep. Mary Lightbody, will prohibit the surface application of brine from oil and gas wells on Ohio’s roads. Ohio is one of only ten states that permits the use of radioactive wastewater from oil and gas wells as a de-icing or dust inhibiting application by spraying it on roads and earth surfaces.

Our Ohio state parks, forests, wildlife areas, and other public lands are under attack.

For over a decade, the oil and gas industry has had its eyes on our most treasured spaces. Now they are about to get their wish. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is now taking applications to extract from our taxpayer-supported public lands, which are supposed to be protected for the benefit of all Ohioans, not the profits of a polluting and destructive industry.

Here's what you can do:

Call Ohio Representative Darrell Kick, the Chair of the Natural Resources Committee in the Ohio House and ask that HB 579 be moved through the Committee.  

It needs to have (1) a Sponsor Hearing where Rep. Lightbody introduces the bill and (2) a Proponent Hearing to take testimony from those supporting the bill, including from the public.

Here's what you can do:

1) Call or write Nathan Moffitt, the Commission Clerk, of the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission. Let him know that you absolutely do not want fracking in or near our state parks.

2) Join Save Ohio Parks' Saturdays campaign. Stand at the entrance of a state park or any park in your area and let people know our public lands are under attack. They can supply you with fliers and fact sheets to let people know how to fight back.