Published: July 02, 2008 11:54 am      

Garrett property owners want gas drilling rights

OAKLAND - As interest grows in natural gas, there are concerns that people who have sold easements on their agricultural land will not be able to lease out their property for natural gas drilling.

"The state (Agricultural Land Preservation) foundation is trying to come up with some policy of understanding to allow gas leases on property," John Nelson, director of planning and land development for Garrett County, said. "It is this unknown decision that will determine whether it will be allowed."

Nelson plans to discuss this issue with the planning commission when it meets today at 1:30 p.m.

Chad Fike, planner with the county's planning and land development department, said the vote on the issue would happen next month at the state level. He said that in the past, there have been changes made to Ag Land Preservation in regard to the leasing rights for gas.

Originally, Fike said, those entering the preservation program had to have the gas or oil company subordinate their lease on the land. That is no longer required in Allegany or Garrett counties, but the specifics of law give the state Ag Land Preservation the right to decide whether it will allow those with easements to lease out their land for natural gas.

This issue has been the main concern of landowners who want the right to lease to natural gas companies, Nelson said. Some area farmers in the farm bureau have been working through the farm bureau to try to pool their land to get a better price from gas companies.

Delmar Yoder has been part of the group organizing these efforts. He said already they have managed to pool 25,000 acres together since they began working on the idea in January.

"We got a consultant in," Yoder said. "We're in the bidding process. Originally, we were offered $25 an acre. Right now, we're up to $250. We don't know what the bids will come back with by the end, but hopefully, it will bring several million back into the county."

Nelson said some gas companies have shown interest in drilling in the Garrett County area, which is the only county in Maryland that entirely contains Marcellus shale. The black shale carries a slightly radioactive signature and can be used to supply natural gas.

With the advancements in techniques that give a higher yield, more companies are pursuing this type of shale for natural gas production.

Fike added that with old deeds, there is always the possibility that the owner of the property's surface is not necessarily the person who owns the mineral or natural gas rights.

"We had someone asking today," Fike said Tuesday. "He had bought his property from a coal company, but had no mineral rights. When you start looking at a deed, some say minerals or gas, but they're not really clear. This is an issue that could come up."

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.