Knob Magazine

It turns out that some of the last minute rule changes proposed earlier this week may help remove significant roadblocks to the development of oil and natural gas extraction in the area around Moab, and with it some of the areas most popular trails.  The Moab Times-Independent reports such trails as Porcupine Rim and Amasa Back are threatened by the development.  While the vistas and land where the trails are located are protected by the BLMs Recreation Management Plan, the trails themselves are not.

The problem is that the BLM is planning to lease land with no way for their lessees to get there except for where some of mountain biking’s most beloved trials pass through.  At best, you may have to put up with a view of a natural gas facility on your next Moab epic.  At worst you will be sharing parts of Porcupine Rim with eighteen wheelers.

IMBA has put out a call for protests (a sample letter is exerpted below) to let the regional director know how important riding is to Moab and attempt to slow the leases.  I am not sure yet whether this lease is related to the new regulations the administration passed earlier this week for oil shale development or whether an opportunity for public challenges to the lease still exist.  Even so it would seem that almost any rider who has been or is planning on going to Moab should spend the 40 cents and have their voice heard.  The deadline for responses is December 3, so hurry.

Sample Letter:

— November XX, 2009 [BLM MUST RECEIVE PROTEST BY DEC. 3, 2008]
Bureau of Land Management
Utah State Office
PO Box 45155
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0155         FAX 801.539.4237

Re: December 19, 2008 Lease Parcels: 180, 181,182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 196, 197 200, 217, 218, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, and 225

Pursuant to 43 C.F.R. 3120.1-3, please accept this letter of protest regarding the proposed lease sale of the above noted parcels. I respectfully request that these parcels be withdrawn from the December 19, 2008 sale, for the following reasons:

I am a resident of ____________, ________. I have been to Moab/am planning to visit Moab, and have specific concerns about BLM’s upcoming oil and gas lease sale in Utah.

Moab’s Recreation Economy Part A: I understand that the recently released Moab Resource Management Plan (RMP) includes specific reference to the Colorado Riverway Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) which includes both the Porcupine Rim Trail and the Amasa Back Trail. The existence of this SRMA requires that the following parcels be defered as access to these parcels will violate the Visual Resource Management Objectives set forth in the RMP. Further, the loss of these two trails would greatly reduce my desire to visit Moab. Parcel numbers: 200, 217, 218, 219, 221, and 223

Moab’s Recreation Economy Part B: Tusher Canyon and Barlett Wash are both designated Mountain Bike Areas within the BLM Resource Management Plan and are closed to motorized travel except on designated routes. Oil and gas activity in this area will greatly detract from the desirability of these trails. The RMP does not include a site-specific analysis that addresses the impacts of oil and gas development included in these lease sale parcels. The BLM must conduct site-specific analysis before making these areas available for oil and gas leasing. Parcel numbers: 180, 181,182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 196, and 197

Moab Water Quality: I am concerned about the health and safety of both residents and visitors to Moab if drilling is allowed within the Moab Aquifer. The RMP specifically states that there will be no exceptions for oil and gas development within an aquifer. Parcel numbers: 224, 225

Parcels contiguous to Arches National Park: Due to the physical constraints of Moab’s unique topography the only access to these parcels would be through Arches National Park. Therefore, I request that these parcels be deferred. Parcel numbers: 217, 218

BLM acknowledges that the potential for oil and gas production is low in these areas, so why allow permanent scars of access roads and development to tarnish the landscape that provide a high quality of life to residents of Grand County and that visitors from around the world come to enjoy? A large portion of the Moab economy will be at risk if these parcels are not deferred. The BLM has discretionary authority to approve or disapprove mineral leasing of public lands. We request that the above listed parcels be withdrawn from the December 19, 2008, lease sale, and that these parcels not be re-offered in future lease sales.

Sincerely,

NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER