We reported final month that the BLM had proposed making leases out there to vitality firms within the Moab space, some within the floor beneath the famed Slickrock path. The plan was to promote leases within the Sand Flats Recreation Space that might complete roughly 5,000 acres, greater than half the recreation space’s dimension.
The reversal got here after mountains of opposition to the information, together with from representatives of the Utah authorities, together with Governor Gary Herbert.
“The governor appreciates the distinctive great thing about the Slickrock space and desires to make sure that nothing is finished that might be detrimental to the customer expertise or native water high quality,” mentioned a spokesman for Herbert.
Moab’s water provide might doubtlessly have been threatened by any mining or drilling within the space, because the parcels had been close to the only aquifer the city has for ingesting water.
The financial advantages of the recreation space performed an element within the determination. A whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals spend time within the San Flats space, particularly mountain bikers on the Slickrock path, but in addition hikers, path runners, and campers. Grand County, of which Moab is the county seat, says greater than $7 million in native spending is generated by guests to the Sand Flats space annually.
“Recreation entry is a precedence of ours—in addition to accountable vitality growth—and each present essential financial advantages to Utah,” BLM performing Canyon Nation District Supervisor Brian Quigley mentioned.
The mayor of Moab, Emily Niehaus, applauded the BLM’s determination, however was additionally enthusiastic that public outcry was heard by the federal company.
“Let’s have a good time this determination, as a result of they’re listening,” Niehaus mentioned. “The state of Utah is doing a superb job of balancing the financial implications of our public lands. This transfer says to me we now have a accomplice within the governor’s workplace. Now we have a accomplice within the BLM.”
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