Local leaders have their own concerns with some aspects of oil and gas leases announced in Uintah County. The Bureau of Land Management released their environmental assessment last month on 64 parcels nominated for a competitive oil and gas lease sale in December. The parcels are all located within the Vernal Field Office boundaries and comprise around 64,500 acres of federal land and 2,080 acres of split estate land. Parcels garnering concern include those located on the west side boundary of Dinosaur National Monument and the monument entrances from Highway 40. During Monday’s Uintah County Commission meeting, Commissioner Bill Stringer explained that some parcels in the lease sale lie across the road to the monument with one piece of a parcel below the visitor center. “I don’t think anyone is more friendly to oil and gas than Uintah County,” stated Stringer, “but…why put those parcels forward?” Stringer stated that 80 percent of the parcel can be maintained and just those near and on the road would need to be moved to the west. With the Utah Symphony coming to play within the boundaries of Dinosaur National Monument and the travel and tourism conference a week later, the sentiment was that it will be better if visitors are not driving through a lease parcel. The Commissioners are working to write a letter to the BLM expressing their concerns.
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