Environment Archives – Athens County Independent

Photo of the Johnson Run strip mine, taken from the roadside on a sunny summer day. A tractor enters the mine while another machine, mostly obscured, works at the bottom.

State report shows extent of mining activity in Athens County

By Dani Kington ● Environment ● December 11, 2025

A new report from the ODNR shows the degree and economic impact of mining in the county and state.

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Recycling center merges with solid waste district

By Dani Kington ● Environment ● November 19, 2025

The decision followed years of financial strain for the regional recycling center.

ODNR faces multiple legal challenges to injection well approvals (Updated)

By Dani Kington & Eric Boll ● Environment ● November 13, 2025

The ODNR granted the fracking waste injection well permits at issue under outdated rules earlier this year.

Specialized maps and guides make it easy to reduce, reuse and recycle

By Soleil Woolard ● Environment ● November 12, 2025

The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District and the Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal can help you find a place for stuff you can’t use or don’t want.

Athens admin abandons proposed changes to Shade Tree Commission

By Dani Kington ● Government ● November 6, 2025

City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone said he didn’t think the city had the votes to eliminate the commission’s regulatory authority.

Hunting down in Southeast Ohio amid ongoing deer disease outbreak (Updated)

By Dani Kington ● Environment ● November 6, 2025

The state is considering more stringent deer hunting regulations this year in response to an ongoing outbreak of deer disease.

Federal, state spending cuts force tough local choices

By Eric Boll ● Government ● October 29, 2025

Area organizations worry about their ability to maintain vital services following funding cutbacks and clawbacks.

Athens Conservancy establishes Joy Valley Nature Preserve (Updated)

By Soleil Woolard ● Environment ● October 23, 2025

The Joy Valley Nature Preserve is the result of a 2,973-acre donation from Betty Lowe.

Spotted lanternfly on the move in Southeast Ohio

By Eric Boll ● Environment ● October 23, 2025

The invasive species, first spotted in Pennsylvania, could soon be found in Athens County.

Athens scraps proposed reduction in urban canopy requirements

By Dani Kington ● Environment ● October 15, 2025

The city administration is still working to remove regulatory authority from the Shade Tree Commission, which commission members and some city residents fear will benefit developers.