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Local governments in Utah have come together to urge the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to stop its proposed lease sale of 85,000 acres between Arches and Canyonlands national parks to oil and gas development. Local communities are concerned that the sale would undermine the outdoor recreation economy that drives the vast majority of local industry.
The Grand County Council wrote, "[The leasing proposal] threatens the core of our tourism economy by locking in long-term oil and gas leases on and around popular recreation areas that are vital to our local economy. While these leases could create some temporary jobs to local contractors to clear well site pads and haul in water, the many long-term threats to Grand County’s economy far outweigh any short-term benefits."
Public comment on the upcoming lease sale ends today, marking the end of a process that local leaders say was rushed and inadequate, during which the BLM refused to engage with communities while conducting environmental reviews. The actions continue a pattern of Interior Department efforts to minimize transparency and public input.
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These sites are not only sacred to the Nation; they are a part of our shared cultural heritage as United States citizens. For us, this is no different from building a 30-foot wall along Arlington Cemetery or through the grounds of the National Cathedral.” 
