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Facing strong and far-reaching opposition, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reversed its decision to include land near Utah's stunning Arches and Canyonlands National Parks near Moab in its planned September oil and gas lease sale.
Greg Sheehan, the newly appointed head of the BLM in Utah said of his decision to remove the controversial leases, “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. 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.”
Phil Francis, head of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks said of the decision, “We are grateful to all of the park advocates, tribal communities, partners and members of the public who raised their voices in protest. While we must continue to be vigilant in the fight to protect our national parks, today we celebrate the victory.”
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If the Department of the Interior has its way, many mockingbirds and other migratory birds that delight people and support ecosystems throughout the country will be killed without legal consequence."
