Bostick-Cooper said she isn't completely against energy development, but does want to ensure it is done right.

"We are for environmentally sustainable and environmentally sound exploration," she said. "We all put gas in our cars, and until that changes, let us do it responsibly."

Nevtah/Black Sands Energy officials believe that the company's "patented, closed-loop production process" can do just that by economically extracting oil from oil sands without the extensive use of water.

"The joint venture's process utilizes benign, non-toxic solvents which are recycled in a closed-loop system so that both cost and environmental impact issues are met," according to the letter Propp has sent to property owners.

Black Sands plans to put into production 10,000 barrels per day in the beginning and stay with the extraction project for five to 10 years. The company's production process is not only low-cost and low-energy, but also "low-emission, low-manpower, earth friendly, easy-to-operate and leaves a small footprint and rapid payout," according to the Nevtah/Black Sands Web site.

Bostick-Cooper said the ramifications of a project that would mine oil sands in the canyon are immense. The greatest concern, however, lies with the water-table disruption and possible contamination.

"While we have this on the table, let's do something that will protect it (the canyon) forever," she said. "All the landowners are very different, and they have all come together, different political philosophies have come together to say, 'Not here, not in Whiterocks Canyon.' It's very heartening."

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E-mail: lezleewhiting@hotmail.com