BLM auction Tuesday for oil, gas leases

Oil and gas leases for 52 parcels of land will be auctioned Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the Bureau of Land Management office, 440 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City.

Originally 57 parcels were being considered for leases, but five were deferred "due to wildlife issues such as sage grouse," BLM officials said Friday in a press release. The parcels involved in the upcoming auction cover more than 75,615 acres in Carbon, Duchesne, Emery, Paiute, Rich, San Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Uintah and Wayne counties.

The Mineral Leasing Act requires each state's BLM office to hold a sale for oil and gas leases at least four times each year. Leases are issued for 10-year terms and can continue as long as oil or gas is produced in "paying quantities." For more information, visit the Web site, www.blm.gov.