Ohio EPA Hits Jackson and Vinton County Energy Company With Violation Notice Over Months of Missing Water Reports

Cheyenne Resources says it can't pay its lab bills — regulators say that's not an excuse

JACKSON COUNTY, Ohio — Ohio EPA has issued a formal Notice of Violation to Cheyenne Resources Ohio, LLC after the company failed to submit required water discharge monitoring reports across 12 permitted sites in Jackson and Vinton counties — in some cases going four consecutive months without filing.

The violation letter, dated March 10, 2026 and issued by Ohio EPA's Southeast District Office in Logan, identifies missing Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) stretching from October 2025 through January 2026 across all 12 of the company's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

DMRs are required under federal and state law to track what a facility is discharging into Ohio's waterways. Failing to submit them leaves regulators — and the public — without critical data about whether a facility's discharges are within legal limits.

The Company's Explanation

Cheyenne Resources didn't dispute the missing reports. According to the violation letter, company representatives verbally acknowledged that water samples were collected but said the company is currently unable to pay its contract laboratory and consultants — meaning the analytical data from those samples has been withheld by the labs until bills are settled.

In plain terms: the company collected the samples, but can't afford to get the results released.

Ohio EPA noted it had sent automated reminder emails to facility contacts on the 25th of each month the reports were overdue.

What's at Stake

The violations involve 12 permitted discharge points across Jackson and Vinton counties — two largely rural Appalachian Ohio counties where waterway health directly affects fishing, farming, and drinking water sources.

Failure to comply with Ohio's water pollution control laws under Chapter 6111 of the Ohio Revised Code can result in administrative or civil penalties. Ohio EPA has given Cheyenne Resources 30 days to document what steps it is taking to resolve the violations.

The agency's letter stopped short of imposing penalties at this stage but made clear that issuing a response does not prevent future enforcement action.

Who Is Cheyenne Resources?

Cheyenne Resources Ohio, LLC is an oil and gas operation based in Hamden in Vinton County. 

Ohio EPA's Southeast District Office is overseeing the matter.