In April, the Ohio Department of Transportation brought state and local leaders together with oil and gas drilling officials in an effort to protect state and local roads. They wanted to hash out a plan that left road maintenance up to those heavier users in the energy exploration industry.

Up and down our winding roads here in the valley, it's becoming easier and easier to spot drilling rigs.

Added work in the area means more trucks and more strain on state and local roadways. So officials worked to draft up an agreement. But Salem Township Trustee Terry Bell tells NEWS9 he's run into a problem.

“We're on the back burner. County highways, state highways, they seem to be getting all of the emphasis; that's where all of the money is being spent. Major companies have spent significant money in Jefferson County, probably close to $6.5 or $7 million dollars," said Bell.

The concerns are coming from the lesser traveled, township and rural roads that seem to be getting ignored.

"They don't honor their own signature," he said.

According to Bell, his township had an agreement with one company that roads would be reconstructed prior to any drilling activity.

"They wanted to bring a rig in 60 days in advance. They told the contractor they hired to reconstruct the highway to move over, because they were bringing in the equipment. Consequently, there were 974 trucks of all sizes that traveled that road," said Bell.

As part of the roadway use, repair and maintenance agreement, or RUMA, drilling companies are required to understand the starting conditions of the roads; make any improvements necessary for their vehicles to travel a given road, while still following all state regulations; repair any damages they cause to the roads; and restore the roads to their original condition.

Beyond those conditions, there are even terms of road use for the companies, including marking routes for their traffic, to keep vehicles in designated areas protected by the RUMA.

The RUMA goes even further, discussing a company’s requirement to give notice of closures, follow weight restrictions and even perform dust control.

Bell said those areas have created problems, as well. He believes better communication between local government and company officials would likely solve all of it.