Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to attend 'listening sessions' in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will be in Salt Lake City next week to participate in two "public listening sessions" — one geared toward adults and the other designed specifically for youths.

The Tuesday, Aug. 3, sessions are part of President Barack Obama's Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a "conservation agenda" that fits with 21st-century ideals and aims to reconnect Americans with the outdoors.

As part of that initiative, Obama directed senior officials to travel across the country and listen to people directly involved in conservation efforts aimed at public lands, waterways and historical and cultural resources. The sessions are intended to include tribal leaders, farmers and ranchers, sportsmen, community park groups, foresters, recreation and conservation groups and state and local government officials.

Because of the role youths will play in shaping the country's environmental future, the listening sessions are being broken up into two segments, with one aimed at tapping young people's opinions and engaging them in conversations.

The first session for adults who are interested in conservation and land management issues is at the Radisson Hotel, 215 W. South Temple in downtown Salt Lake City, from 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Afterward, the youth session will be from 2-3:30 p.m.

Walk-in participation is welcome at both sessions. However, because space is limited, youths are encouraged to contact Cindy Ledbetter at americasgreatoutdoorsyouthslc@blm.gov or 801-977-4377 by Monday, Aug. 2, to ensure space is still available. Adults interested in attending the earlier session also should make advance arrangements by Monday with Jeanette Matovich at americasgreatoutdoorsslc@blm.gov or 801-539-4232.

Salazar, who is expected to speak at a breakfast Tuesday hosted by the Outdoor Industry Association, has been a controversial public official in Utah because of his decision in February 2009 to yank 77 gas and oil leases that had been offered at a Bureau of Land Management auction in Salt Lake City.

In defending his decision, Salazar said he felt the environmental reviews conducted on the parcels were inadequate and too many of them were located on the doorsteps of national parks or other scenic treasures.

Although many were ultimately released for auction, a review team deemed that eight had been inappropriately offered. A recent investigation by the agency's own Office of Inspector General refuted Salazar's claim that the parcels were rushed to auction as a result of the pending change in presidential administrations.

Although oil and gas exploration companies that bid on the parcels had the money they paid refunded, the industry and officials in three impacted counties say Salazar's actions have created an atmosphere of uncertainty, chasing away future exploration efforts.

A lawsuit on the issue is before U.S. District Judge Dee Benson, who heard arguments last week. He is expected to issue a decision shortly.

e-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com