On February 21, an oil and gas lease sale by Utah BLM officials will include 3700 acres just west of the Green River in Labyrinth Canyon, a popular and heavily used recreation area.  In addition, over 100,000 acres of land proposed for wilderness designation in the San Rafael River and San Rafael Desert region will be auctioned. These are remote areas harboring hanging gardens, sand dunes, elaborate rock formations and miles of roadless desert.

Utah's official state website describes the Labyrinth Canyon area as an "amazing" area where river users can enjoy a landscape "unchanged since John Wesley Powell saw it." Obviously that unique character will be changed forever if the BLM is allowed to move forward with its plans.

Time is short for the public to weigh in on the issue. We encourage those interested in protecting this pristine area to call, write or email the Utah BLM offices.

To view a Salt Lake Tribune story on this issue click here. (Word document)

To view a press release on this issue, click here.  (Word Document)

Contact information for the Utah BLM is below.

Gene Terland

Acting State Director

Bureau of Land Management

Utah State Office

P.O. Box 45155

Salt Lake City, Utah 84145-0155

(801) 539-4010 (phone)

(801) 539-4013 (fax)

Gene_Terland@blm.gov

Kent Hoffman

Deputy State Director

Division of Lands and Minerals

Kent_Hoffman@blm.gov