That BLM initiate a comprehensive air quality strategy for the region, in consultation with the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency and state officials.

Kathleen Sgamma, director of government affairs for the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, said the organization is pleased some of the parcels may be reinstated after additional review.

"But we are concerned the report calls into question the Resource Management Plans that support the decision to release these parcels" to begin with.

She rejected the report and Salazar's assertions that the review process was fundamentally flawed, saying it was the result of a seven-year probe of potential environmental impacts that resulted in no additional land being offered beyond what was already on the table under the previous Democratic administration — that of President Bill Clinton.

But Pam Miller, president of the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition, said the maps of the parcels offered up were "horribly vague."

"Our concern is that they did not take in the potential damage to Nine Mile Canyon from industry travel itself" from heavy trucks and other equipment, she said.

"I applaud Salazar for hanging and following through with what he said he was going to do. I do not know how it is going to turn out, but it restores a lot of faith in my government that they are going to make a study of this."

The December auction in which the parcels were offered up for bidding was already a source of controversy after environmental activist Tim DeChristopher bid on parcels he did not intend to pay for.

DeChristopher, too, felt the parcels involved land too close to national parks and monuments and said it was his duty to try to thwart their sale. He is being prosecuted in federal court in connection with the bidding.

The report was hailed by several environmental groups, many of which sought to successfully block the transactions in federal court.

"We are encouraged by the department's efforts to issue guidance on how best to protect our most sensitive natural and cultural treasures from oil and gas development, especially those that qualify as wilderness," said Steve Bloch, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance Conservation director. "We are looking forward to working closely with the agencies as they improve the lease sale process in the future."

E-MAIL: amyjoi@desnews.com