By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
An oil and gas exploration business failed to return to the Wood County Park District board meeting Tuesday to follow up on its pitch to test in parkland.
The park commissioners did not seem disappointed, and had no intention of inviting the company back.
“To be honest, it’s not going to change my mind,” said park commissioner Denny Parish.
Sean Haas, of Reserve Energy Exploration, in Chagrin Falls, asked the county park commissioners last month for permission to do testing in Baldwin Woods. He said he would return with a more detailed presentation this week, but canceled.
The company was interested in doing seismic testing for oil and gas in the 124-acre preserve, off Euler Road near Weston. The preserve is a mix of woodlands, grasslands and wetlands.
Seismic testing is a process where an image of the subsurface is created. That data is then used to locate the most optimum place to drill for gas or oil. Haas explained the seismic testing does not use explosives, but rather shakes the ground to discover gas or oil.
During last month’s board meeting, Wood County Park District Director Neil Munger expressed concerns about any type of testing. He referred to Baldwin Woods as a “sensitive natural area.”
“It’s not something I would encourage or something I would support,” Munger said. “I would not recommend it.”
Haas countered that process is “non-invasive” and should be thought of as “scientific research” that could be of benefit to the community.
“It shakes the ground,” he said of the testing. “It doesn’t create any tremors or earthquakes.”
However, a park district employee asked Haas last month if he was aware of a recent report by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation that states seismic testing is harmful to fish and wildlife. Haas said he was unaware of the report.
If approached again by the energy company, the park board will allow a representative of the firm to speak at its monthly meeting just like any member of the public.
Also at this week’s meeting, the park board discussed several projects underway or planned at parks.
At Sawyer Quarry Preserve, in Perrysburg Township, the first limestone trail will be put in soon. Munger explained that the trails will vary at the preserve, with some being a more natural surface.
Munger said the Perrysburg Country Garden Club had donated $32,800 for path construction and an entrance sign at Sawyer Quarry Preserve.
The board also accepted a bid for a limestone trail connecting with the boardwalk at the Bradner Preserve. The trail will loop near the interpretive center in the park.
Munger also reported the total cost for the Bradner Park Interpretive Center is now at $573,477. The facility should be completed this summer.
In other business, the park board unanimously approved pay increases for district employees to go into effect this month. The second step of the pay hikes will go into effect in July.
Munger said the increases, designed to get park employees up to minimum standards, will affect 12 workers, with hourly raises ranging from 16 cents to $1.46.
