LANSING, MI (WHTC) - It was a contentious Wednesday at the Lansing Center. 

Although environmentalists protested, with six of them arrested for attempting to disrupt the proceedings, and others filed lawsuits in attempt to block it, the DNR auction of oil and gas leases on state-owned land took place as scheduled. The mineral rights for 195 thousand acres was up for bid, with 2.48 million dollars spent at an average price of $16.84 per acre.

Along the Lakeshore, over 12 thousand acres in Allegan County were leased for nearly 464 thousand dollars, averaging more than $37.50 an acre, while 11-hundred-65 available acres in Ottawa County had no bidders.

The DNR still has to approve any drilling requests.