Mill Creek MetroParks board reaffirms no fracking in park

YOUNGSTOWN — Mill Creek MetroParks board members tried once again to dissolve rumors of hydraulic fracturing on park lands.

About 50 concerned residents attended tonight's regular board meeting, asking questions about fracking in the park. The hot-button issue was first brought up to the board during the Oct. 12 meeting.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a process where water and chemicals are blasted into rocks thousands of feet below the ground to unlock natural gas and oil.

Jay Macejko, board president, assured residents the park has made no decision on whether fracking will be allowed in the park.

“Nothing has changed from the board’s position during our October meeting,” he said. “We’re still in our due-diligence phase gathering information. ... We have no decision as to how we’re going to address this issue.”

In Ohio and Pennsylvania, companies such as Chesapeake Energy Corp. have begun drilling for natural oil and gas in the Marcellus and Utica shales.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com