Drill now, pay less!!!

For those who haven't noticed, gas is approaching $2/gal. again. Any exploration or drilling on the borders of national parks will be exploited to the max by the oil companies to the detriment of Utah's unique landscape. Why is it that so many Utahans can't recognize the value of what they have?

A map in the Trib showing BLM's proposed lease tracts around Arches National Park showed that lands are to be leased just north and east of the park boundary, in areas BLM previously identified as wilderness inventory areas. Those were protected from leasing until Mike Leavitt and Interior Secretary Gale Norton cooked up their "no more wilderness" deal in 2003. BLM should restore that protection now.

These same park flacks memorialize the roads of yesteryear that were as unwelcome then by the inhabitants as these oil roads are now. Get real you hypocrites.

There are already numerous roads all around the national Parks as the area was extensivley mined for uranium. Much ado about nothing.

Yes, they do.....because they don't need/want any more. Enough are enough.

Why do you hate America's beauty?

the key here is that the proposed roads are **NEAR** the National Parks--Not IN the parks. The park boundaries are where congress agreed to protect and preserve, as well they ought. It's unreasonable to lock up land surrounding the parks. That's like your neighbor controlling your yard because it is close to his....

Despite that fact that his policies have almost no support among Americans, George Bush is trying to use his last weeks in office to do as much damage as possible and destroying the Southern Utah backcountry is apparently at the top of his list. Hopefully, our new president, actually elected by a majority without any shenanigans, will find a way to reverse these drilling decisions. This drilling won't lower gas prices; instead, it will increase oil company profits. That's what history tells us. To believe otherwise is to live in fairyland.

Most Utahns would drill on Temple Square if they could get a few more barrels to power their ATVs as they merrily trash the most beautiful landscape on the planet. This is called "exercising one's stewardship."

It is certainly within BLM's discretion to offer leases next to the national parks, if there are compelling reasons to do so. But why on earth didn't BLM discuss this with the Park Service before offering the leases? Shouldn't two agencies within the Department of Interior communicate better than this, rather than duking it out in the media? The Secretary of Interior needs to take them both to the woodshed and admonish them to start communicating like adults, rather than kids in the school yard.

Re: "The concern is that those roads will become new entry points into the parks, creating potential access . . . ."

Horrors! The people will be able to access their parks!

We can't allow that!

I wish the Park Service would mind its own business, and stop trying to run the BLM. It is BLM jurisdiction-the Park Service has its authority end at the park boundary.

How much support did Bill Clinton have for punishing Utah for his poor election showing here?

Remember how, on his last day in office, he established a national monument to deprive Utah schools of school trust land revenues? All because he came in an embarrassing third, behind Ross Perot!

I'm sure you were as outraged by that as you are by President Bush's actions.

The BLM didn't communicate with the Park Service about the leases for the same reason the Park Service doesn't ask the BLM permission for their own road closures and blocking park access to the public.

The increased access issue is easily addressed by requiring the roads to be obliterated once exploration or production is done. Its a very common practice these days...

Speaking from the red rocks - we're not likely to sit by and watch the oil rigs destroy the beauty of our area. As far as "blm jurisdiction', the last time I checked, which was prior to GW regime, the people are the stewards of the land, not government agencies. They've proven themselves unable, incompentent and willing to sell out to the highest bidder.

Regarding "drill now, pay less", please please be a bit more mindful about the rubbish your media feeds you. You need to study the process of drilling and the Incredible negative impact it has on the planet for a tiny bit of dirty fuel to further pollute the air with. Oil drilling is a very very dirty story, one which leaves tons of chemical scum water to dispose of. How about expanding the clean alternatives we have ie WIND (Free and so far infinite supply) SUN (Free and so far infinite supply.

Meanwhile, drive your SUV's to your hearts content, until the fossil fuel you love runs out....coming soon to an area near you!

Sierra's apparent contention that leasing up to a National Park boundary is fulfilling BLM's "multiple use" mission makes a mockery of the definition of that term. Under multiple use, by law, not all uses are appropriate on all acres. As others have pointed out, we have already identified some of these areas as having more appropriate uses. And to not consult with the NPS? Don't think that was an oversight -- it was deliberate.

Sierra was unqualified for her posistion, has been a miserable State Director (unless you think like Gale Norton), and is likely to be the first State Director replaced by the next administration. Perhaps you should think of this lease sale as her parting gift. We in Utah are thankful that her days are now numbered.

1.research what happens to the land with seismic thumping before you say drill baby drill.2 Research what happens to every living thing from seismic thumping and drilling and what ecosystems will die.
3. You may not like anyone from outside Utah speaking for the land - then do a better job with your land. The land that belongs to all of us and was given to all of us FREE. 4. Abuse to the land, tearing down of beauty, degrading of rivers, loss of fragile soils and the species that depend on them - there is no more excuse for it. 5. If - I repeat - if - there is oil one mile from Delicate Arch - how long will it last? 6. Our national security should not depend on mass destruction of beauty and what it holds for all of us. 7. Ms. Sierra is misguided and does not care enough about what will be gone forever when the drills arrive.