Oil, gas plan fuels protests

Babbitt said BLM regulations require that cultural resources may not be disturbed. Even if a lease is issued, the company must obey stipulations to protect ancient remains. A cultural properties clearance may be required, and if the development would damage archaeological resources, the project's plans would be changed. For example, a drill right might be relocated from a proposed site with cultural resources.

On the Dinosaur controversy, she said, "We've been in close communication" with the monument. The BLM is making sure "we're on the same page with them," she said.

Contacted by the Deseret Morning News, Risser said, "We've been able to work together with the BLM. If any of the leases are taken by somebody, (the plan is) to work to mitigate the impacts on the park as much as possible."

Asked if she is still concerned about the leases, she replied, "I don't know at this point what would be involved," that is, what level of development would happen.

If the leases are purchased, parties can meet and discuss how to mitigate the impacts on the national monument, according to Risser. Asked if BLM officials had withdrawn the parcel from the sale, she replied, "As far as I know, they did not."

Another objection cited by Bloch is that leasing near the Green River could disrupt the solitude of Labyrinth Canyon.

"The river's incredibly scenic, quite popular with families, river runners, outfitters," he said. It is a place where "people from all across the country, all across the world, come to escape the sight and sound of civilization." These are places are prized for their natural quiet, he said.

"You're certainly going to hear and see any type of well-pad construction, any type of drill rig operation," he said. "You would hear a finished well at work, 24-7."

Bloch charged, "You're going to hear the general hum of civilization, the same as you have in any city."

According to Babbitt, the BLM operates under best management practices. After a parcel is leased, if there is an area where river runners go, perhaps a drill rig could be located somewhere else, she said.

"We would be using best management practices," said Babbitt, "to be sure that the sound and the visual impacts would be minimized for the river runners and the other people that enjoy that area."

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