CABOT WILL DRILL MORE WELLS IN STATE PARK

(06/23/2009)
West Virginia State Parks are not immune from drilling and mineral extraction.

A Logan County Circuit judge has ruled in favor of the Texas-based Cabot company that has been seeking to drill five new gas wells in Chief Logan State Park.

The decision has rebuffed efforts to block the drilling.

Judge Roger Perry ruled that the Department of Environmental Protection erred in denying the permits in 2007 because it didn't have the authority to do so.

Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas. Corp. already operates three gas wells in Chief Logan park and three more in an adjoining wildlife management area.

This makes a total of 11 wells in the state's most visited park.