A fight over drilling for natural gas continues in Harrison County with a local sportsman's club.

Chesapeake Energy has been steadily working on Jewett Sportsman's Club property since the start of their construction early last week, and they released a statement to NEWS9 Monday about their plans.

Company representatives said club members can expect to see their property completely transformed in about a month. So far, the company's plans for a drilling site on the property are moving quickly, and club president John Harris said he and other club members are upset over what's happening.

"We don't know really what's going happen and we've been in contact with the governor's office and our attorneys," Harris said.

Meanwhile, club members met with their representing attorney Monday night about the issue. Even though Chesapeake said they own the mineral rights to the property, their statement said the company did send "an offer of compensation regarding surface usage," which would allow Chesapeake to do further development on the property if the club agreed to it. Harris said the club rejected Chesapeake's initial offer because members felt the amount wasn't equal to the land's value.

Harris said the construction mainly raised concerns about a drop in club membership from hunting.

"With all the noise and equipment that's going on around here, our wildlife will probably be gone for a good while until everything calms back down," said Harris.


The club also expressed concerns about the preservation of local wildlife and the environment. In response, Chesapeake told NEWS9 that all construction and production performed on the property will "fully protect the surrounding environment."

Chesapeake representatives said they are doing everything within their rights, but club members, along with their attorney, continue to challenge the right to keep their land.