Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District leases land for fracking at Leesville Lake for $12.4 million

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District has agreed to lease 2,257 acres of land at Leesville Lake to Encino Energy for $12.4 million, plus 20% in royalties. This decision follows a board vote last week. The lease will not permit surface operations at the lake. Instead, drilling will occur from adjacent well pads, reaching gas reserves beneath the lake. The district will include environmental protections in the lease. This agreement adds to the district's history of leasing land for oil and gas since 2012, generating over $278 million for conservation projects. Recent state legislation has facilitated more leasing opportunities for oil and gas development.