The Buckeye chapter consists of seventeen members.  The majority are either geotechnical and/or environmental contractors.  We are very fortunate to have the support of many industry suppliers also.  We try to support safety in the drilling industry.  We are trying to continue with the efforts started by Past Chapter President Todd Bromley to promote regulation that will protect ground water and also insure that there is an equal playing field for Ohio drillers competing with out of state drillers in Ohio.

We are in communication with the state agencies that make and enforce current regulation.  We have at least been told that they agree with our concerns and will move forward with writing regulations when they have finished with the geothermal drilling regulations that are currently being formulated.  I feel this is a step in the right direction.  Unfortunately nothing ever happens quickly when bureaucracy is involved.  We must be patient and persistent. Eventually it will pay off.

Steve Wright, Buckeye Chapter President

Mission Statement
The purpose of the Buckeye Chapter, a member of the National Drilling Association, is
to promote accountability, professionalism, safety and education in the environmental and
geotechnical drilling industries in the State of Ohio and surrounding areas. Our core beliefs are
founded on the protection of our groundwater through education and promoting quality standards
and to assist in the creation of any regulations that may assist or adversely affect our industry.

Officers____________________________________

Upcoming Events_______________________________

Chapter News_______________________________

April 2011 Meeting Wrap-up
The Buckeye Chapter's April 2011 meeting was held at Wings Restaurant in Columbus. Meeting topics included an update on meeting of OWWA and ODNR regarding possible new regulations regarding geothermal drillers. Also other legislative or regulatory updates. A short talk was also given by Jim Nidzgorski of Frontz Drilling, on his recent trip to Russia/Siberia to consult on a Sonic Drilling mineral exploration project.

April 2010 Meeting Wrap-up
The Buckeye Chapter’s April meeting was held at Barley’s Smokehouse in Columbus. Chapter President Steve Wright began the meeting with a report on the OWWA-ODNR working group that is meeting to consider regulation for geothermal drillers. They have been reviewing regulations from other states to help in developing a set of standards that make sense for Ohio. While the group’s main thrust is to move towards legislation regarding geothermal drillers, they agree that the geotechnical/environmental drilling segment should be reviewed next. The group is looking for NDA backing for the geothermal regulations once developed. Following Steve’s report, there was a general discussion of other states’ regulations and standard practices seen in residential geothermal projects around the state. The Chapter thanks Charlie Grugel from Geothermal Professionals of Chagrin Falls, Ohio for attending and participating in the discussion.

Chapter Secretary/Treasurer Brian Walker reported on the Shallow Exploration Drillers Clinic recently held in Topeka, Kansas. NDA held a safety forum for contractors at the event. NDA  also held a board meeting where details of the upcoming 2010 Convention were discussed as well as the new format for the NDA newsletter and Tailgate Safety Tips, which will now be sent via e-mail.

NDA Past President Larry Gibel confirmed that ODOT is establishing that any contractor wanting to work for them will need the SSI/FHWA training course and certification by July 1, 2011.

Guest speaker for the meeting was Mike Angle of ODNR/Ohio Geological Survey, who spoke about the Ohio Core Repository at Alum Creek State Park.