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Tell the BLM to Reject Drilling Proposal Near Dinosaur National Monument

Jun 14th, 2021 Written by Landon Newell

The Biden administration is poised to authorize oil and gas drilling on the doorstep of Dinosaur National Monument. If approved by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the proposal will industrialize a remote and scenic area by greenlighting the construction of new access roads, well pads, and the drilling of two wells—all about ¼ of a mile from the monument.

This ill-conceived project—proposed by Hoodoo Mining & Production Co. LLC—runs counter to every stated goal and objective of the Biden administration. It threatens some of our nation’s wildest, most scenic public lands, including a national monument, and will harm lands with wilderness characteristics as well as priority habitat for greater sage-grouse. On top of all this, it will exacerbate the climate crisis.

The BLM is accepting comments through June 23rd. Please tell agency not to approve this terrible drilling proposal.

Split Mountain Benches
Wilderness-quality lands at risk near Dinosaur National Monument. © Scott Braden/SUWA

Making matters worse, BLM is bending over backwards to facilitate the project. The drilling and related development will take place on public lands that are currently subject to a “no surface occupancy” stipulation, which prohibits all surface disturbing activities. When Hoodoo Mining acquired the lease it did so with full knowledge of this restriction. Now, at the company’s request, the BLM is proposing to waive that important stipulation rather than requiring the company to develop in a less sensitive area.

Tell the BLM not to grant Hoodoo Mining’s request to waive the “no surface occupancy” stipulation.

Dinosaur National Monument is world-renowned for its remarkable density and diversity of prehistoric sites and paleontological resources. In addition, according to the National Park Service, the monument “is one of the darkest places remaining in the United States. Because there is little light pollution here, you can see the stars of the Milky Way galaxy with startling clarity.”

With your help, SUWA will fight every step of this project to ensure that the monument remains that way.

Please click here to submit your comments now.