The Bureau of Land Management says it's proceeding with an oil and gas lease sale in the Monongahela National Forest despite protests from environmental groups.

Spokeswoman Davida Carnahan says BLM is reviewing protests filed by nine environmental groups, including the Wilderness Society and the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.

If any of their concerns have merit, Carnahan says BLM will address them before actually issuing any leases.

The environmentalists want 2,480 acres in Randolph County and 1,917 acres in Pendleton County removed form the March 18 sale, which includes federal land in six Eastern states.

They claim drilling would harm the area's wilderness character and affect endangered bat species, among other things.

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