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BLM oil and gas lease sale 'criminal,' Redford says

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This land is your land | 11:41 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
This land is everyone's land, we collectively are stake holders in the government's use of land in this great country, and i for one am for more oil and gas exploration. Its not like they are actioning off the delecate arch for oil exploration at it's base. There is a phony outrage by the environmental extremists and those of us with some common sense don't buy it.
NOT | 11:42 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I am so happy! I thought he was in a rest home. Good to see he is still among the living.
Thinkin' Man | 11:43 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
As fuel shortages become more common and prices again rise, remember people like Redford who oppose energy development at every turn.

This isn't a Bush-Cheney issue, it's about developing America's natural resources. The impact on the land will be minimal as it is in thousands of other places.

Ironically, Redford and others like him would rather ruin scenery with 300-foot tall windmills. What a double standard!
Comments continue below
Mark | 11:41 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Why did the author tack on information about the oil shale and tar sands development at the end of his article?

My understanding from the first part of the article is that these leases are for oil and gas drilling in red rock country near national parks and monuments. Are these leases for oil shale and tar sands development or for drilling?
Redford is about His Land | 11:51 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
All Redford wants is His property values to go up. He wants to be able to develop beautiful land enjoyed by all but no one else. He is so full of hypocracy.

The public wants to get a chance to put these energy resources to work for ALL of us not just have a select few benefit from their developments.
Save it. | 11:58 a.m. Dec. 17, 2008
"Impact on the land minimal"? Have you ever seen an area where oil drilling is going on? It is a huge eyesore. Not only that, oil spills continue to plague areas offshore. Anyone who thinks oil exploration/drilling has a minimal impact on the environment is just clueless. Lets develop alternatives and save the destruction of the beauty of Utah as a last resort, after every other measure has been exhausted.
James Wankier | 12:06 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Robert Redford looks like a poster boy for the American Oil & Gas Industry he so heartily condemns. From his dyed hair, tailored clothing, oiled leather belt and shoes, it looks to me like he is high on the list of consumers who like and need products from American Oil. Maybe he only gets plastic from "approved" sources and always checks. Yeah right, just buy something from his catalog. (only catalog on earth not printed from trees?)Redford's beloved Sundance could not survive without the heat and electricity provided by the very industry he derides. I suggest he call the power and gas company for a shut off every year on December 1st. Wake up and smell what bozo is selling. Speaking of ducks, if it looks and walks like a duck it's a duck. Seeing is believing.
Geezer | 12:04 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
If you've seen how the land around Grand Junction has been wrecked by drilling, you won't want that to happen around Arches, Canyonlands or Dinosaur. BLM should have taken those lands off the leasing list long ago, but this is clearly being directed by Bush appointees who don't care about protecting any lands for public use.
Robert Redford | 12:11 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Wow, now that he has thrown his support behind this, that means ..... nothing to me!

Drill here, drill now, we know how to do it with very little impact on the environment.

AIMHO,
A 'Clueless' individual, (As told to us by the all-knowing 'Save it.' commentor)
Jan | 12:11 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I hope he had a face lift.
Dan | 12:15 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
A friend of mine, engineer, works The one of the larger oil companies. He said that these companies who drill have a process that is tightly regulated.

I think we need to develop our natural resources. Otherwise we are hostage to those producing oil outside of the US. Let's explore and utilize ALL of our options.
How many of you.... | 12:20 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
...have seen the true impact on your own land, when you lease it out for drilling? It's not just the site of the actual drilling. It's the roads, the storage, the equipment, the people who now have total access to the property - and the little you get back for it, isn't worth it.

Drill Baby Drill is a temporary fix. We've known for 30 years that we needed to do something else, why haven't we?

We had better start working on something else, because we cannot support our country entirely on our own oil - so it becomes an issue of National Security.
Is Redford still Alive | 12:23 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Man I thought he assummed room temperature along time ago and was up there doing Butch Cassiday and the Sundance Kid sequeals with Paul Newman
basinboy | 12:40 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
That Buccino is a nut case; calling plans that took about six years to prepare "hastily prepared." She has no credibility after making such statements.
And, that valley at the base of Mt. Timpanogos was a beautiful place of solitude and tranquility until Mr. Redford spoiled it with a ski resort. Give me a break!
Southern Utah Resident | 12:54 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I guess dressing up and acting like someone he's not makes him an expert on the subject.
M A | 12:59 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Hey! please don't get me started on Redford. GEEZzzZ!
Rhett | 1:03 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Please reseach the effects that oil shell and tar sands have on the environment. You can choose not to believe facts and science but the facts are these two types of drilling and mining are extemely damaging to the environment. Regardless of what people think fossil fuels are not the future of energy in this country. The middle east has 100 times the amount of fossil fuels the U.S has, so regardless of the amount of fossil fuels we take out of the U.S the middle east will always dictate the price of oil. We must stop using fossil fuels for the sake of the environment and the country.
Pro Energy | 1:06 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Bob..you're wrong on this one. The biggest danger is importing energy that can break the economy and households. We need to get the energy out of the ground...employ people to do so, and be energy independent. We'll manage the environment as well, but there is no point to having a pristine environment if people cannot exist.
OK... | 1:47 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
"Save it" and "How many of you..."

Nobody is stopping you from developing alternative fuel sources. Be the next Rockefellers of wind, solar, hydrogen, garbage, etc. Until you are, butt out! We do not want to be at the mercy of terrorist cartels any longer!!!
Anonymous | 2:18 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Wow! Looks like Bush is going to do a 'Clinton' on us before leaving office, only at the other end of the spectrum.

Clinton established the Escalante Staircase National Monument when he left office that effectively locked up millions of acres of multiple use land from being used for anything but sight-seeing.

Now Bush goes to the other extreme and places millions of acres of multiple use land from being used for anything but road scarring oil/gas use.

Fact is, these actions are just different faces of the same exact coin... and neither really serves the greater interests of the public either in the short term (as Clinton's actions did) or the long term (as Bush's actions are sure to do).

It's a proverbial "Damned if we do, Damned if we don't."
Fred | 2:23 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Wow, the comments must have been really bad for them all to disappear. I can just imagine?
Really??? | 2:24 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Robert Redford and Al Gore are two of the biggest hypocrites the in environmental movement. They have their big mugs in front of a camera always preaching about how bad the environment is becoming. But, in real life they are an ecological nightmare. Their carbon footprint and damage to the environment will probably equate to more than 15- 20 normal American households. Think about how many people work for these two to make them, who they are, how many houses they own. Robert Redford and Sundance, high alpine forest are some of the most fragile ecosystems on the planet. Al Gore and his Tennessee home, 10,000 a month for utilities.

Again, they need to fix their own lifestyle before they get involved with anything else.
A frustrated Utahn | 2:31 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Redford may own property and recreate in Utah but appears to spend more than half of each year outside of Utah. The interview he gave was done outside of Utah and he was on hand, again outside of Utah, when Clinton signed an executive order creating the Grand Staircase Esclante National Monument. Mr. Redford, please have the decency to at least make your opinions known on how Utah land should be managed WHILE in Utah and not outside the state.

I suggest that all parties get together and decide which plots of land should be made available and which ones shouldn't. The National Park Service was able to do that why not other organizations? Oh wait, for the other organizations it is either all parcels off the auction block or a law suit. These other organizations like the Sierra Club would rather sit down with the BLM in court instead of another venue. Do the tax payers get reimbursed by the Sierra Club and other plaintiffs for court costs?
Sundance | 2:31 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Well, that just makes me want to endorse the sale if Redford is for it.
Redford speaks only for himself | 2:52 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
"These lands are not Cheney and Bush's, they're ours," Right define �ours� because you are not speaking for this Utahn.

Ok, Sundance Kid. Bush and Cheney aren't taking lands away from the American people. What is more funny is you think they are "yours" because you think you are wiser than anyone else that has an interest in their use other than what you and your environmental buddies see fit how to use them.

Sundance wouldn't be around if today�s environmental rules of operation were around when you plunked down your money for it all those years ago. They wackos would have worn you down and discouraged you from buying the land it is on.

george | 2:53 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Hold on Utah we are in for a big fence to be put up on all federal lands in Utah, this will cause the cost of fuel to go up again, make it so we won't be able to hunt where our fathers and Grand Fathers did. It is really time that we start standing together and get heard, because a thousand voices can shout out Mr. Redford. No not just a thousand lets try a million. I can really see all of Utah's Federal Lands put into a National Monument only this time instead of being on the rim of the Grand Canyon to make the announcement, it will be from somewhere in Colorado! This oil and gas sell will bring jobs to Utah that are far better paying than tourist industry jobs. Wake up people of Utah this is your land help save it for future outdoor recreation for everyone not just those that backpack and eat granola bars.
We're So Lucky! | 2:55 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Wow, I don't know what to say. Several column inches and large headline devoted to ..... a Holly wood Actor!! I so care about what Robert Redford thinks, wears, eats, and believes. What would we do without Hollywood Actors to tell us what is "kool." Or "cool." Gee whillakers. Seriously, his opinion is no more valid that Joe the Plumber. So why the special treatment, Deseret news??
JSMES DUCKWORTH | 2:58 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
RREDFORD SHOULD TALK
HE OWNS A SENIC PART OF THE CANYON
BUILDS ON IT , WANT'S NOTHING BUT RGH HEWN LUMBER
FROM THE AREA
IS ONE OF THE 1ST PEOPLE TO GET TICKETED FOR POLUTING A STREAM BY HIS RESORT
HE SHOULD TALK
Fire Sale | 3:01 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I don't doubt many are calling it a "fire sale" but should the Deseret News be one of them? This very stilted article gives no indication what the truth might really be and should be labeled opinion until the reporter finds the time to interview someone besides Redford minions and do more than rephrase a press release.
Redford has lived here since ... | 3:12 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
....1963! That's 45 years!
So what if he spends time elsewhere? Since when do our public lands NOT belong to everyone?

Why do you want to take away Redford's right to speak? He likely brings more money IN to Utah, than any other single citizen ($30-$40 million a year for Sundance Film Fest!)

Quit being bigots. ALL of us deserve a voice in what happens.

Sell your SUVs (are you listening, little Congressman) and leave something for future generations. Unless you're part of some wacko "the world is going to end in 20 minutes" group, you're going to have to live on this earth, and pass it along.

We KNOW what oil has done to our land. Let's put a drill in front of your home, and let you see the total impact.
Redonculous | 3:14 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I don't like how he uses the excuse that they want to stop these leases so that the public doesn't have to pay for expensive legal battles after the leases are started. By not leasing lands like this everyone will continue to pay high energy prices!

These people against this use sensationalism to scare the public. They use iconic Utah words like "arches", "dinasaur", "canyonlands", and "red rock". One parcel can be 25 miles from canyonlands or arches national park and they all become "near" these parks. It is so rediculous. Responsible development of our natural resources would be a lot easier if the people trying to protect the environment weren't so irrational and sue happy.

You also have to realize that the State receives millions of dollars from oil and gas production in the State. How do you expect to have better education systems, better highways, less State tax, if you purposfully shut off revenue and protect millions of acres for the 100 or so people who actually go out there?
Robert | 3:16 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I agree with you. As a native Utahn I recognize that the rich outside of our state want to tear up my state for their gain. Nothing more, nothing less.

And because we are so like sheep, it takes a hollywood movie star to stand up for us and our clean environment. Man, that is embarassing, isn't it.

Right on, Robert. Right on.
beautiful country | 3:32 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I don't think the issue here is about Redford. It's about these beautiful bits of land connected to some of our national parks and monuments.
As I've lived in an oil town in another state where the brochure reads, 'we're not just desert' and prominently displayed is the oil refinery I can say drilling does have an impact on the land and the scenery.
I think the big issue is that the President can just step in and change what the land is used for without any notification or state input. Everyone's not going to agree but I think these 'sales' should be more openly discussed before they're put on the table.
I think that while Vernal and Price might have another 'boom' cycle if these lands are approved for drilling that it also does affect the beauty of the area and that should be taken into consideration.

Yeppers | 3:35 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I like driving, plastics, pharma, heating my house and charging my ipod. Goferit BLM. We NEED to produce more of our petrol domestically. Utah could also use the high paying jobs that the oil and gas industry produces.
If i'm not | 3:40 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
mistaken this redford character ia a past c.e.o.of the infamous sierra club.you know,the radical club that would shut down the entire U.S.A.if they had their way.
Bro Chuck's Rant n Rave | 3:44 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Let's hope Robert Redford sing's a tune of "DRILL baby DRILL". So after the "left-wing-waco's" did some consulting behind back's with their own liberal tax and spend economists from across the socialist political spectrum, President-select Barack Obama's phony-advisers are contemplating an economic recovery plan that would cost far more than the $600 billion initially envisioned ?. Oh yes, let's now all sing The gift of song. So please enjoy this version of a liberal Christmas classic, ya'll sing along now, ya hear?, Obama Claus is Coming to Town. Times are tough, but don't worry about most members of Congress making ends meet. Their collective wealth grew by 13 percent last year, leaving them in better shape than most Americans to make it through an economic downturn, according to a new analysis of personal financial reports. Overall, nearly two of every three senators are millionaires. That includes presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. In the House, 39 percent of all members belong to the exclusive club. Only 1 percent of all Americans are considered millionaires. With a median net worth of $746,000, most members of Congress have a comfortable financial cushion to ride out any recession or depression of 2009.
Eric | 3:51 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Yes oil and gas development will bring in dollars and jobs, but then what happens when all the oil and gas run out? How many dollars and jobs will that bring? The land will be destroyed, will lose all tourist value, and would likely be worthless.

So the question is, do we take the big cash now that will run out and or do we take the smaller cash that will come in for a longer period of time?

Drilling UT for our 'vast' reserves is a short term solution for a long term problem. Let's focus on solutions that will work and last.
predator | 3:58 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
REDFORD HAS HIS SO YOU CAN ALL STICK IT
JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER FRIENDS OF THE EARTHER'S
AND SAVIORS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Moderate Utahn | 4:00 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I agree with Redford on this. the Moab area and the other areas targeted are beautiful, and are our last sanctuaries to take our kids, grandkids, etc. We owe it to future generations to protect certain pristine open lands like these. The very temporary economic impact that lines oil company's executives' pockets is not worth allowing them to set up stand and overuse and abuse the lands as they ALWAYS do. Go to Dead Horse Point near Moab and look down at what WAS a beautiful view of the Colorado River and Canyonlands Natl Park. Now it is cluttered with phosphorus treatment facilities, roads and trucks. My wife and I tried (unsuccessfully) to explain to our 10 and 12 year-old boys how beautiful it USED to look. How sad. Just as a side point, I am not a liberal or an environmentalist. I usually vote Republican (except this last election). Bush's sneaking this in as he leaves office rivals his selfish decision to go to Iraq. It's about him and his oil and business buddies, not about us or our kids. I hope the lawsuit works and they get an injunction until Obama can take care of it.
Anonymous | 4:27 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
If Obama protects a few million more acres in Utah it won't effect them politically. Clinton wasn't hurt. We liberals could turn Utah in to an environment reserve and there's no political penalty. Obama could send a message to other states that don't support him. If you don't have any political support in a state, it not like there's votes you can lose.
I agree | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I have travelled all over the world and Utah is by far one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It's lands are well worth protecting. I don't care who has to come forward to get Bush to listen so long as it works. I love Utah!
Once a Utah Citizen | 4:32 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN UTAH, BUT HAVE NOT LIVED THERE FOR OVER 50 YEARS. I STILL LOVE THE STATE AND IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL, BUT COMMON SENSE SHOULD BE USED INSTEAD OF HOLLYWOOD MOVIE STARS TO SAY WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. SHOULD NOT THE MAJORITY BE THE ONES TO BENEFIT BY WHAT IS DONE WITH THIS LAND? I FOR ONE FEEL IF UTAH CAN HELP SO GREATLY TO GET US FROM BEING DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN OIL, THEN UTAH SHOULD DO SO.
Anonymous | 4:33 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
There are three trillion (3,000,000,000,000) barrels of oil in the Green River Formation covering parts of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
Enough for 644 years of America driving at 1975 rate of consumtion (World Energy Conference 1975)
There are three available states with much less valuable land available for explorations.
Why is some of most spectacular beauty in the world being damaged for Darth Cheney's benefit?
I mean any reason other than rampant greed and a hatred of Utah.
dano | 4:36 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
It amazes me how successful the enviros have been in painting this routine lease sale as a last minute 'they're going to drill tomorrow' crisis when in fact, it's no different than lease sales that go on all the time. These parcels all carry so many stipulations and restrictions that prices will have to rise back to June levels, in other words not any time soon, before it'll be economic to drill the first well and maybe not even then if the geology doesn't work out. The enviros need to dial back the burner a bit or even fewer people will believe half of what they say.
Bear | 5:02 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Why doesn't Old Man Redford get rid of the ski resort there in Sundance and change the land back to the way is was to begin with. When it wasn't so commercialized, so that the forest animals can live happily there once again without drunkards hanging out here and there.
Journalism | 5:03 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
What is with the biased headline "fire sale"? Come on people give both the good and bad, don't paint this as something that it's not!

While I'm at it, How much longer are we going to believe that drilling is a temporary fix? Oil is here to stay, our economy is based on it now. Why do we fight what is needed and good. The earth isn't having all the negitive problems that we are led to believe.
It isn't "your" land | 5:23 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Sorry folks, it isn't "your" land. If you can't sell it, you don't own it! Further, you have no say in how "public" lands are administered. Ask Bill Clinton who "owns" the land in S. Utah that he took without any public vote or consultation from citizens. Your federal government own both you and all the land! Don't believe it? Just don't pay your taxes, you will find out who owns all your "private" property and your life!
allanoil | 5:27 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Speaking as a petroleum geologist with over 30 years experience in the oil business I am alarmed and dismayed at the incredible misinformation that permeates the press and the uninformed public.

Our country runs on petroleum in the form of gasoline for our cars, natural gas for our heating, plastics in construction, clothing cars, etc. and fertilizer for our crops. Anyone (especially Sundance Kid) who opposes drilling has zero credibility until they park their SUV (or even their pious Prius) and their private jet and WALK to the press conference where they spout their biased and inflammatory opinion.

Our governmental lands belong to all of us and are designated as "multiple use." Oil and gas operations can be done in a non-disruptive manner so as to not impact sensitive scenic areas. Especially when the oil and gas is depleted, restoration of the operational site can be done so completely that there is no trace of the operations.

Royalty schedules attached to all leases of governmental lands dictate that the government receive between 12.5% and 25% of every barrel produced from those leases. For that the government does nothing. The government is the real recipient of windfall profits.
wooF | 5:25 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
To journalism

Just because you and Redford didn't lose your life savings in the market recently doesn't mean the rest of didn't lose ours. Times are bad--- they are real bad.
Unseen Beauty | 5:48 p.m. Dec. 17, 2008
Someday, perhaps, only the fittest of the fit will be able to view the National Parks and Canyonlands, because without affordable oil, we will need to walk there -- sort of like the first settlers who walked there along side their oxen-pulled wagons.

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