In more National Parks news this week, the Interior Department is reviewing leases made at the end of the Bush administration for land adjacent to and near a few National Parks and Monuments in Utah. The proximity to Canyonlands, Arches National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area drew criticism because of development the leases allowed so close to these parks and monuments. Just weeks after being confirmed, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar put a hold on the leases.
Over the last few months, the Interior Department has been reviewing the leases, and these week released the report. Lack of inter-agency communication was cited as large contributor to the overall problem. One of the leases was for land completely within the canyon cut by the Colorado River. The report calls for increased collaboration between agencies and departments, especially concerning the leasing for oil and gas development.
Out of 77 leases reviewed, 17 were approved, 52 were deferred, and 8 were withdrawn. For a lease that is deferred, it the land cannot be leased again until corrections in the lease documents are made. As for the 8 leases that were withdrawn, reviews determined that the original leases were inappropriate.
The original leases were handled by the Bureau of Land Management. This week, while discussing the report, Secreatary Salazar stated that energy development on public lands is important, but decisions need to be reviewed and considered carefully to ensure development happens in the “the right way and in the right places.”
You can read more about the details of the report findings in National Parks Traveler.
