Deep shale oil and gas leases are an increasingly popular topic throughout the region. Most landowners of any size have received some information about leasing or been contacted directly regarding leasing. There are landowner associations that have formed to look at leasing provisions, signing bonuses, and royalty payments. As with any venture there are advantages and disadvantages, concerns, questions and trade-offs that must be considered. Landowners are encouraged to seek out as much information as possible and to negotiate lease agreements that will protect them and future generations of landowners.

Plan to attend a two-evening series of meetings around the topic of deep shale oil and gas leases and drilling. Meetings are scheduled for the evenings of Feb. 21 and March 6 at OARDC Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave. in Wooster. Both meetings will run from 7-9 p.m. These meetings are sponsored by OSU Extension Wayne County and the Wayne County Farm Bureau.

Speakers and the topics that will be addressed include:

- Basic lease considerations, working with landowner groups, pooling and land unitization by Clif Little, OSU Extension Educator, Guernsey and Noble counties.

- Community impacts, including economic, social and environmental issues, by Chris Penrose, OSU Extension Educator, Morgan County.

- State regulation and oversight of deep shale oil and gas wells by Mike McCormac, ODNR, Oil and Gas Division.

- Water quality issues, including water testing and third party certification by Deana Hudgins, School of Environment and Natural Resources, OARDC.

The cost for the two-night series is $15 per person or couple. Anyone who shows a current year Wayne County Farm Bureau membership card will have their meeting cost covered by the Wayne County Farm Bureau.

For more information about deep shale oil and gas leasing, or the two-night meeting series, contact the Wayne County Extension office at 330-264-8722 or John Fitzpatrick of the Wayne, Ashland, Holmes and Medina Counties Farm Bureau at 330-263-7456.