YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — The state of Ohio has found no evidence of earthquake activity connected with loud booms residents reported hearing in the Youngstown area near deep-injection wells used for fracking wastewater.

The (Warren) Tribune Chronicle reports Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources began monitoring for seismic activity after Brookfield Township residents reported hearing loud, explosion-like noises coming from injection-well drilling sites off State Route 7 around New Year’s Eve.

Department spokesman Steve Irwin said a month of 24/7 monitoring didn’t detect any seismic activity.

Injection wells force wastewater from the gas and oil industry deep underground as a means of disposal

Anti-fracking groups in the area have opposed such wells for years, noting their ties to earthquake activity and questioning the potential for other negative environmental impacts.

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Information from: The Tribune Chronicle, http://www.tribtoday.com