CHIEF LOGAN STATE PARK — Are you for or against natural gas drilling in Chief Logan State Park?

Tomorrow morning, Division of Environmental Protection attorneys will ask Logan County Circuit Judge Roger Perry to reconsider his decision to allow Cabot Oil to drill five natural gas wells inside Chief Logan State Park.

The topic is very controversial in Logan County.

Many people don’t want the gas company drilling more natural gas wells, which they believe will harm the natural beauty of the park, destroy the landscape, disturb the wildlife living in the park and be a nuisance to those who enjoy Chief Logan State Park. Opponents to the state park drilling are urging people to show up to the meeting.

Donald McCloud, a caller to the WVOW Radio show, What’s Your Opinion, said this morning that he hopes people will show up to the hearing tomorrow morning to show support for the Division of Environmental Protection, which does not want the drilling to happen in the park.

McCloud said the DEP has stated if the decision stands, it will not be able to stop natural gas drilling in other state parks.

“I think it will be a tremendous black eye to have gas wells in state parks,” McCloud said. “This will be a serious threat to the wildlife.”

McCloud said studies have shown that horizontal drilling can be done and would keep the gas company out of Chief Logan State Park.

But, there are also those who say the county could reap monetary benefits from the drilling from taxes and goodwill contributions from the natural gas company, Cabot Oil, which already has working natural gas wells inside Chief Logan State Park. One natural gas well can be seen at the entrance to the park on the left side of the road through the park.

Cabot Oil said in a previous interview with The Logan Banner that it intends to be a good neighbor in Logan County and won’t drill on any lands used by the public.

Tomorrow morning, the motion to intervene hearing on whether to allow natural gas well drilling in Chief Logan State Park will be held in front of Logan County Circuit Judge Roger Perry at 10:30 a.m. on the third floor of the Logan County Courthouse in the big court room.

The civil hearing is open to the public.

The Lawson family donated the property for the park, but allowed for natural gas drilling in the original deed.

The DEP then said it would not allow gas drilling in state parks and Judge Perry made his decision to allow Cabot Oil to drill five gas wells inside the park.