Story perspectives

BLM leases 2,777 acres in Wayne National Forest

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 12:21 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management leased 2,777 acres of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest to oil firms.
An auction on September 15 sold 40 parcels for over $11 million, with the highest bid near $10,000 per acre.
Taxpayers are projected to lose about $7.9 million in royalty revenue over the leases’ lifespan.
The Ohio Environmental Council warns the leases could increase truck traffic, pipelines, and air pollution.
Plaintiffs have asked a judge to enforce a 2020 injunction requiring a fuller environmental review.

History

Historical Context

Since the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 gave the BLM a multiple-use mandate, the agency has overseen more than 18,000 grazing permits and numerous mineral leases. In 2024 it approved a 2,777-acre lease in Ohio’s Wayne National Forest, echoing the 1977-85 projection of leasing 2,000 acres for revenue and reviving the long-standing revenue-versus-environment debate.

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Story summary

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management leased 2,777 acres of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest to oil firms.
An auction on September 15 sold 40 parcels for over $11 million, with the highest bid near $10,000 per acre.
Taxpayers are projected to lose about $7.9 million in royalty revenue over the leases’ lifespan.
The Ohio Environmental Council warns the leases could increase truck traffic, pipelines, and air pollution.
Plaintiffs have asked a judge to enforce a 2020 injunction requiring a fuller environmental review.

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