McCONNELSVILLE, Ohio – AEP Ohio continues to add to its conservation legacy with the opening of an additional 26,000 acres in the ReCreation Land agreement area located in Morgan, Muskingum, Noble and Guernsey counties. 

This area will be an addition to the existing 34,000 acres of the ReCreation Land for a new total of approximately 60,000 acres of ReCreation Land in a cooperative management agreement with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

AEP ReCreation Land is the largest of five agreement areas owned by AEP Ohio that allow for public use of the property including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking and camping in designated areas. With the addition of these acres, AEP has more than 85,000 acres of agreement land in more than nine counties including Athens, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Meigs, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble and Perry counties.   

Other AEP lands that are in agreement with the Ohio Division of Wildlife include; Avondale Wildlife Area (9,920 acres), Conesville Coal Lands (14,640 acres), Gavin Wildlife Area (6,885 acres), and Poston Plant Lands (2,300 acres).  

Visitors of the AEP ReCreation Land and all other AEP agreement areas must obtain and carry a lifetime permit issued by AEP. The permit is free and can be obtained online, from the McConnelsville American Electric Power office, the Ohio Division of Wildlife, or at many local convenience stores in the area.   

Recreational users must obey all Ohio laws and regulations in addition to regulations specific to AEP agreement areas. An updated map of the area is available online, by calling the McConnelsville AEP office, (740) 962-1205, or by calling the Ohio Division of Wildlife (740) 589-9930).