The Obama administration is canceling Bush-era oil drilling leases on more than 130,000 acres near two national parks and other protected areas in Utah. Bush’s Interior Department had planned to auction off the land in December for oil and gas drilling, but the auction was disrupted by activist Tim DeChristopher. The land sale had been slammed as a ‘fire sale’ for the oil and gas industry, and would have placed drilling rigs near treasured national landmarks.
In January, a judge granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Bureau of Land Management from moving forward with the leases after several conservation groups sued to challenge long-term management plans that made the sale of the parcels possible.
From MSNBC:
“In the last weeks in office, the Bush administration rushed ahead to sell oil and gas leases near some of our nation’s most precious landscapes in Utah,” Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told reporters. ““We need to responsibly develop our oil and gas supplies to help us reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but we must do so in a thoughtful and balanced way that allows us to protect our signature landscapes and cultural resources.”
“We will take time and a fresh look at these 77 parcels to see if they are appropriate for oil and gas development,” he said, adding that the Bureau of Land Management will return the $6 million in bids from an auction last December.
The 77 leases were for areas near Arches and Canyonlands national parks, Dinosaur National Monument, and Nine Mile Canyon, which is sometimes called the world’s longest art gallery for its collection of ancient rock-art panels.
Unsurprisingly, Republicans and the oil industry have responded with claims that the decision will hamper U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on foreign oil. Environmental groups, on the other hand, are thrilled.
Tim DeChristopher isn’t necessarily off the hook – the 27-year-old won $1.7 million in leases despite having no intention to pay, and prosecuters still haven’t decided whether or not to charge him.
This is certainly a victory for conservationists everywhere and for the people of Utah, who can now enjoy the beauty of their state’s national parks without worrying about oil rigs popping up.
Link [MSNBC]
Photo credit: Destination 360
