Ohio Controlling Board, Aug. 25 — The Department of Natural Resources secured Controlling Board approval for a phased acquisition of lands from American Electric Power (AEP) to add to state-managed conservation lands in the Appalachian region, with most of the purchase funded by federal sources and a 25 percent state match.
Brian Frazee said this acquisition is the third phase of a multi-year series of purchases in the same area. Previous phases included acquisitions of 844 acres and 1,341 acres in prior fiscal years; the item before the board was part of a phased purchase operated under a multi-year purchase agreement with AEP. Frazee said the current portion is funded 75 percent with federal funds and 25 percent state match.
Why it matters: The phased acquisitions expand public conservation lands and are part of a longer program of purchases in the region. Senator Ingram sought confirmation that this was the same multi-phase purchase agreement; the department confirmed additional phases will come before the board as needed under the purchase agreement.
Discussion vs. decision: The board approved the item after clarifying it is the continuation of prior acquisitions and part of a larger purchase agreement with AEP.
Actions:{"motion":"Approve item 48 (AEP land acquisition, phased)","mover":"not specified","second":"not specified","outcome":"approved","notes":"Acquisition funded 75% federal, 25% state; further phases to come before board."}
Speakers:[{"name":"Brian Frazee","role_title":"Chief Financial Officer","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Ohio Department of Natural Resources"},{"name":"Senator Ingram","role_title":"Controlling Board member","affiliation_type":"government","affiliation_name":"Ohio Senate"}]
Authorities: []
Discussion_Decision:{"discussion_points":["This is the third phased acquisition in the area; prior acquisitions were 844 acres and 1,341 acres","Current phase funded 75% federal, 25% state match under a purchase agreement with AEP"],"directions":[],"decisions":["Controlling Board approved the current phased acquisition; department will return for additional phases under purchase agreement."]}
Clarifying_details:[{"category":"funding_split","detail":"This acquisition funded 75% federal, 25% state match","value":75,"units":"percent","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Brian Frazee"},{"category":"previous_acquisitions","detail":"Prior phases included 844 acres and 1,341 acres","value":null,"units":"acres","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Brian Frazee"}]
proper_names:[{"name":"American Electric Power (AEP)","type":"business"},{"name":"Ohio Department of Natural Resources","type":"agency"}]
searchable_tags:["land acquisition","AEP","Appalachian","conservation"]
provenance:{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"item48_intro","local_start":0,"local_end":24,"evidence_excerpt":"We will move on to item number 48. Senator Ingram, questions for the Department of Natural Resources?","global_start":1771.12,"global_end":1778.795,"reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"item48_details","local_start":0,"local_end":220,"evidence_excerpt":"So this would be the third time that the Department's come before the controlling board for acquisition...Prior to this, there was the Appalachian Hills acquisition...This acquisition particularly in front of you, the 6,600,000.0 is funded with 75% of Federal funding with a 25% State match.","global_start":1794.45,"global_end":1848.99,"reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}