BLM Proposes Oil and Gas Drilling Beneath Moab’s Cherished Slickrock Trail

[AngryScientist]

Just saw this:

https://www.adventure-journal.com/20...ickrock-trail/

and noted this part:

The BLM will be opening a public comment period on February 20.

Who knows how the economics would work out and what actual drilling would take place, but:

But now the BLM is proposing opening the majority of the area to oil and gas drilling. Sand Flats is 9,000 acres. The BLM’s proposal would lease 5,000 acres for drilling. A full two-thirds of the Slickrock Trail is in a proposed drilling parcel.

I plan to organize my thoughts, consolidate them in a professional manner and submit them during the open comment period, once i figure out how to do that.

Exploratory drilling, and potential subsequent resource harvesting on public land, especially iconic, unique landscapes as in MOAB, seems like a pretty bad idea to me.

thoughts?

[nmrt]

I am disgusted to hear this. But I guess what it "bad" for you and me, is exquisitely "good" for people whose pockets will be lined with cash.



Exploratory drilling, and potential subsequent resource harvesting on public land, especially iconic, unique landscapes as in MOAB, seems like a pretty bad idea to me.

thoughts?[/QUOTE]

[rnhood]

I believe "leasing" and "drilling" are two separate activities - at least according to the BLM website. The BLM can lease for exploratory drilling however, further studies are required along with subsequent approvals prior to doing any work such as drilling. That articles leads one to think its one and the same.

I doubt seriously this one will pan out. The aquifer situation there is probably enough by itself to disallow drilling. Nothing wrong with doing the study though. That is just part of the process.

[Louis]

You get what you vote for.

Those people would approve drill rigs at the base of El Cap, if they thought there was money to be made there.