rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/tell-mike-dewine-declare-a-moratorium-on-fracking-public-lands?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-tell-mike-dewine-declare-a-moratorium-on-fracking-public-lands' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Save Ohio Parks https://actionnetwork.org/groups/httpssaveohioparksorg https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Last month a storage tank containing highly volatile toxic chemicals on a Gulfport frack pad five miles from Salt Fork State Park exploded. As flames shot 100 feet into the air, emitting a think black plume of toxic smoke, authorities closed roads and evacuated the area. The fire raged for 18 hours. Fortunately, no one was killed – but the accident highlights the incredible risks of fracking to our Ohio state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands. Please call on Gov. Mike DeWine to issue a moratorium on all new and pending nominations, bids, and leases to frack public land. Fill out the form to the top right. This explosion is by far not the only dangerous incident involving oil and gas in Ohio. In fact, public records show the Ohio oil and gas industry averages an incredible 250 reported incidents per year – fires, explosions, gas releases, spills, brine truck accidents, and more. That’s an oil and gas incident in Ohio every 1.5 days! Now imagine if this explosion had happened just 1000 feet from the border of Salt Fork State Park – where fracking companies are right now setting up to frack the park. How would they evacuate hikers, campers, birdwatchers, swimmers, and more from the park? How would everyone get out of the only two exits? What would the toxic chemicals do to people and wildlife? Please join us in calling on Gov. Mike DeWine to issue a moratorium on all new and pending nominations, bids, and leases to frack public land. Fill out the form to the top right. Gulfport, the company that owns the well pad where the explosion took place, has a long track record of accidents and fines. In 2020, Gulfport settled with the federal EPA for $3.7 million over pollution from 17 well pads in Ohio – including the one that recently exploded. They were supposed to upgrade the well pad and enact new practices to keep it safe. Gulfport was also fined $250,000 for ground contamination at seven wells in 2013, and court ordered to pay $40 million to a landowner for drilling beyond its lease in 2021. Yet somehow the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission has awarded SEVEN bids to Gulfport to frack public land – the most of any company in the state. This is not acceptable. Please join us in calling on Gov. Mike DeWine to issue a moratorium on all new and pending nominations, bids, and leases to frack public land. Fill out the form to the top right. Note: If you have any trouble with our system, you can also submit your comment directly through Gov. DeWine's online contact form at governor.ohio.gov/contact https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-mike-dewine-declare-a-moratorium-on-fracking-public-lands