BLM lands near Arches and Canyonlands (above) national parks have been removed from a BLM oil and gas auction set for September/Kurt Repanshek file
Lands near Arches and Canyonlands national parks in Utah have been removed from an oil and gas lease auction the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has scheduled for September.
“Understanding the nature of the proposed parcels, as well as gathering input from local communities, partners and the public are a priority for me as the new state director for BLM Utah,” Greg Sheehan said Tuesday. “The BLM supports the recreation and tourism industry as an important source of revenue in Utah, while also responsibly leasing and supporting our nation’s energy independence.”
Environmental groups earlier this year had pointed out that some of the leases, if acted on, could impact the national park experience sought by visitors and also adversely impact park resources.
Nada Culver of the National Audubon Society, pointing to Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef national parks, Dead Horse State Park, the remnants of Bears Ears National Monument created by President Obama and dismantled by President Trump, and the Green and Colorado rivers' dancing waters and magical canyons they've carved, had told Traveler in June that the BLM proposal places "a potpourri of good places at risk.”
“Some of these lands have wilderness characteristics, they are kind of untrammeled areas that people really enjoy," she said of some of the areas that could be impacted if the leases are sold. "Some of those are in areas around Labyrinth Canyon and Hatch Canyon, for example, that are spectacular, to say the least."
At the National Parks Conservation Association, Erika Pollard said Tuesday that the decision was "a huge victory."
“This enormous oil and gas drilling plan was a mistake from the very beginning and we’re relieved it has finally been deferred. To open up such enormous swathes of land on the doorstep of some of the country’s most spectacular national parks was irresponsible, and to do so during a pandemic in which tribal communities could not be properly consulted about the plans for their sacred land would have been anti-democratic and disrespectful," said Pollard, NPCA's Southwest associate director.
"This victory will ensure, for now, the spectacular views at Arches and Canyonlands remain unspoiled by industrialization, while protecting the parks from air pollution caused by oil and gas drilling, and preserving the visibility of their famous dark night skies. Plus ensuring the carbon emissions stay in the ground will benefit all national parks that rely upon a healthy climate to thrive.”
