The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) St. George Field Office is proposing to offer 3 parcels of public land, totaling 4,730 acres in close proximity to Zion National Park and the rural residential gateway community of Virgin, UT as oil and gas leases for potential development.  The BLM is accepting public comments on this controversial proposal through February 10th, 2017 with an auction scheduled to take place the week of June 12th, 2017.  (UPDATE:  The BLM has extended the public comment period through March 9th!)

Two of the parcels being considered for auction are approximately one mile from the boundary of and clearly visible from Zion, Utah’s most visited national park.  The surrounding communities are economically sustained almost entirely on tourism and a large number of residents have moved to this area because of its unparalleled wild beauty, diversity of natural resources and abundance of recreational opportunities.  Industrial development of oil and gas leases here could potentially and significantly compromise the unique habitat of over 450 species of flora and fauna (some endangered), the health of North Creek drainage (which flows into the Virgin River) and the livelihood of local townspeople.  These consequences are deemed inappropriate.

We, the undersigned, feel that the industrial development of these parcels proposed for lease is not in accord with the nature of this area and collectively raise serious concerns of negative impacts on air, water and soil quality, night skies, view sheds, soundscapes, ecosystems, historical preservation, grazing rights, and visitor appreciation/recreation (hiking, camping, mountain biking, OHV use, etc.).

As conscientious citizens, we support and advocate that the BLM adopt Environmental Assessment Alternative B - No Action, under which none of the nominated parcels would be offered for sale, as the most responsible choice in the matter of the lease of these stipulated public lands in Washington County, UT for oil and gas exploration.