Natural Gas Drilling Operations Commence in West Virginia Wildlife Preserve
According to the Charleston Gazette, the Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area in Wetzel County is now contains several natural gas drilling operations by various companies operating in the State of West Virginia. The Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management area is approximately 13,590 acres; however, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources only owns a fraction of the mineral rights underlying the preserve. Private owners of those mineral rights are now leasing to various companies who are, or will be, drilling wells in the area. While the natural gas is being extracted from beneath the preserve, operators will be working in conjunction with the WVDEP and other agencies to minimize the impact of any drilling operations on both the preserve and its human visitors.