2 new national monuments in Utah?

SALT LAKE CITY — Republicans say a just-leaked document reveals that the Obama administration has been quietly considering creating new national monuments throughout the West — including two in Utah — to block potential oil and coal development.

The Interior Department document, marked as "internal draft — not for release," lists 14 wild areas that "may be good candidates for national monument designation" by President Barack Obama, including Utah's San Rafael Swell, which is mostly in Emery County, and San Juan County's Cedar Mesa.

Outrage over the revelation is prompting Gov. Gary Herbert to get on a plane and meet with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Undersecretary David Hayes on Sunday and Monday to express his "deep concerns" over a move he characterized as "upsetting and offensive" because of lack of input.

Interior Department spokesman Kendra Barkoff on Thursday confirmed that the document came from her agency but said it merely reflects some "brainstorming discussions" with the Bureau of Land Management, and "no decisions have been made about which areas, if any, might merit more serious review and consideration."

Environmental groups hailed the possible move toward protecting more wild land, but most Utah elected officials howled that the situation looks like a repeat of former President Bill Clinton's surprise 1996 creation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah to block a huge proposed coal mining operation there.

All four of Utah's Republican congressional delegation denounced the list, citing the lack of consultation and harm to Utah's interests, including industry.

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, fired off a letter Thursday complaining to the Interior Department, and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, told Utah lawmakers he's crafting a bill that would allow BLM land to be sold. Even Rep. Jim Matheson, Utah's lone Democrat in Congress, was critical of the administration.

Reaction from local officials was even fiercer over areas they say are vital to their economic survival.

"I think it's outrageous," said San Juan County Commission Chairman Bruce Adams. He said Cedar Mesa has potential oil and other minerals that could be developed, but that activity would be blocked by a monument. "There's also a huge amount of grazing there. That (monument) would put cattle people out of the business."

Similarly, Emery County Commission Chairman Gary Kofford said a San Rafael monument in his area "would be devastating" because of the effect it could have on mining and grazing.