Fight Looms over State Park Drilling

A bid to drill nearly three dozen new gas wells at Chief Logan State Park has been rejected by regulators, The Associated Press reports.

But the royalty rights leased by Cabot Oil & Gas Co. for what lies beneath the popular Logan County park likely means the fight isn't over.

The state Department of Environmental Protection denied the necessary permits for the multi-phase project.

"We believe that we have offered to the DEP the documents that clearly indicate Cabot has the right to expand its operation into Chief Logan State Park. ... Our next step is to examine the avenues of appeal that the state offers," said Tom Liberatore, vice president and Eastern Region manager for Cabot.

AP earlier reported on Cabot's proposal, and the opposition raised by Gov. Joe Manchin.