Pa. to lease 32,000 acres for gas drilling

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania is opening nearly 32,000 acres of additional state forest land to leasing by gas drilling companies.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says the six tracts are located in Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Potter and Tioga counties.

Department Secretary John Quigley says the locations were picked after extensive environmental reviews to protect the health of the forests. He said the acreage represents only a small fraction of the 2.1 million acres of forests that the state owns.

Prospective bidders have until Jan. 12 to submit sealed bids for the 10-year leases. The bids will be opened that same day.

Currently, there are 750 wells on 660,000 acres of state forest currently leased for gas drilling.