Unfortunately, more than 94% of the mineral rights under Allegheny National Forest are privately held. This means, under Pennsylvania law, drillers have the right to drill with little regard for the forest. The US Forest Service could take action to protect the forest – but frequently chooses not to.

Oil and Gas Wells frequently leak, require vast road networks that fragment the forest, and are generally terrible for forest conservation.

Protecting the Allegheny from Oil & Gas Drilling

Under Pennsylvania Law the US Forest Service can object to proposed oil & gas wells but rarely does. They need pressure to enforce protections for the Allegheny National Forest!