Harrison County approves lease with Long Ridge West Virginia LLC for Marcellus-area tract

The Harrison County Commission on Dec. 3 approved execution of a lease with Long Ridge West Virginia LLC covering a parcel identified in the agenda. During discussion staff described the agreement as focused on Marcellus production while preserving surface protections and reserving future rights for other potential products.

A county staff member summarized key terms, saying the lease is “a Marcellus only lease, and it reserves all potential future revenue streams related to other products, i.e., lithium, sulfur” while noting protections for the county’s surface and water interests. Commissioners moved to execute the lease and affix the appropriate signatures, and the motion carried on a voice vote.

Commission discussion thanked staff (including Trey, who participated in negotiations) for work on the agreement and noted the county would begin to see production payments if drilling proceeds on the described timetable. No roll-call vote or dissent was recorded in the public transcript; the motion was approved during the meeting without further conditions recorded. The commission did not specify additional mitigation or monitoring conditions on the record beyond the lease language described by staff.