Short-Sighted Oil and Gas Development Puts Our National Parks at Risk
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has launched a sneak attack against our national parks in Utah.
Without consulting the National Park Service, the BLM has opened thousands of acres for lease to oil and gas development near or directly adjacent to Arches, Canyonlands National Parks and Dinosaur National Monument. This development would forever change the landscape of these iconic western parks while increasing pollution.
We recognize the need for this country to develop its energy resources. But our national parks are precious places that protect valuable resources for park visitors and all Americans. Some areas must be off limits in order to preserve our fragile landscapes – and the front steps of our national parks are no place for drilling new oil and gas wells.
We only have until December 18 to oppose this decision. Please sign our petition to Secretary Kempthorne and urge him to put a stop to the BLM energy leases today!
Dear Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne:
We recognize the need for this country to develop its energy resources. Some places, however, are not compatible with energy development. Our national parks are our collective national treasures, and they are no place for oil and gas development. The BLM's December 19 lease sale contains more than 90 lease tracts near or directly adjacent to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dinosaur National Monuments. Although the BLM has agreed to defer 24 of the most egregious tracts, this does not mean they are protected from development.
Because of the deeply flawed UT BLM Resource Management Plans finalized earlier this year, the BLM can continue to hold lease sales like this one unless you, as Secretary of the Interior, take action to suspend these flawed plans and send them back to the BLM for revision and careful review in consultation with the National Park Service.
Park visitors come for the incredible views, clean air, quiet, solitude and night skies free from light pollution. I urge you to reverse the impending lease sale and send the BLM Resource Management Plans back for further review. Thank you for considering my views.
[Your Comments]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
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