BLM Cancels Plan to Auction 85,000 Acres Near Moab to Oil & Gas

Over the past winter, oil and gas companies designated over 100,000 acres of land under the Bureau of Land Management's jurisdiction which they hoped to lease for hydrocarbon extraction. About 85,000 of the total 100,000 acres were cleared to be leased after an environmental review, with the auction scheduled for September 2020.

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Recreation access-focused organizations such as Access Fund took exception, arguing that to lease the land would adversely impact some of Moab's most iconic climbing areas, including Mineral Bottom Road, Hell Roaring Canyon, Spring Canyon, and Lost World Butte. 

The sustained campaign was largely successful, as the BLM has canceled the auction, citing impacts on tourism and recreation. For more information on the issue, and information on how you can make a difference, check out Access Fund's website here.