Saturday, July 28, 2012
It's good to have a friend in the BLM
If you are drilling for gas and oil. If you are a supporter or traditional land use, history, environment ot just love the beauty of the Utah landscape, the BLM probably doesn't know you exist.
The Bureau of Land Management, part of the Interior Department, is the nation’s biggest landlord, controlling 248 million acres, including nearly half the land in Utah. Charged with protecting public lands while exploiting their resources — for mining, drilling, timbering, ranching — Mr. Stringer’s agency has been at the center of a fierce battle in recent years as companies have sought to lease federal property and get drilling permits.More of what we don't need triumphs over what we can not replace.
The Bush administration encouraged the land rush, while Obama administration officials tried to stop what it called reckless drilling deals. After confronting fierce industry resistance and political realities, officials in Washington have eased back.
But in Vernal, a town that sits amid vast underground reserves of oil and gas as well as scenic treasures, critics say the bureau office under Mr. Stringer has taken a consistent stance all along: make way for drilling. “Oil and gas trumps all else,” said Dennis J. Willis, a retired agency employee.
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Post a Comment