BLM Drilling Lease Auction

By Dan Bammes

Vernal, UT – The Bureau of Land Management's auction of oil and gas drilling leases set for December 19th has become a lightning rod for criticism of the agency. Environmental groups accused the agency of a "fire sale," trying to issue leases in areas the next administration may not allow. Many of the parcels proposed for this lease have been deferred, while the National Resources Defense Council and other groups have filed a suit trying to stop the sale altogether. KUER's Dan Bammes takes a look at one area of the Uintah Basin involved in the sale -- parcels bordering the White River.