"COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's state parks will be open for oil and natural gas drilling for the first time under legislation the state Senate passed on Wednesday.

The green light for drilling on state parkland comes just as experts are predicting a drilling boom in Ohio to tap into bountiful natural gas deposits.

Leasing the state's land and collecting 1/8 of royalties will help pay for $500 million worth of needed maintenance and repairs at state parks.

But cashing in could come with grave consequences, opponents of the bill said."

Joe Guillen reports for the Cleveland Plain Dealer June 15, 2011. [2]