Photos: Drilling America’s Heritage
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s “drill everywhere” approach leads to the doorstep of our national parks and monuments
Under Secretary Ryan Zinke, the Interior Department has become a rubber stamp for the oil and gas industry. A recent analysis of 24 policy changes supported by the oil, gas, and coal industries found that the Trump Interior Department has already taken meaningful action to complete or advance 13 of them.
When it comes to managing our public lands, Zinke has tossed aside any semblance of balance and instituted a “drill everywhere” approach. In the coming months, the Bureau of Land Management will auction off rights to drill near some of our most spectacular national parks and monuments. Scroll down to see some of these landmark places that could see oil and gas development nearby.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument | Colorado
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: Bordering
Sale Date: March 2018
Dinosaur National Monument | Utah
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: 1.3 miles
Sale Date: December 12, 2017
Update: The Bureau of Land Management sold four lease parcels that are within view of the Quarry Visitor Center and the monument’s Carnegie Fossil Quarry. Two parcels were withdrawn after objections by the National Park Service and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
Bears Ears National Monument | Utah
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: 0.1 mile
Sale Date: March 2018
Chaco Culture World Heritage Site | New Mexico
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: 2 miles
Sale Date: March 2018
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument | Montana
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: Bordering
Sale Date: March 2018
Basin and Range National Monument | Nevada
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: Bordering
Sale Date: December 12, 2017
Update: Leases bordering the Basin and Range National Monument were offered, but did not receive bids
Great Basin National Park | Nevada
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: 4.5 miles
Sale Date: December 2017
Update: Leases near Great Basin National Park were offered, but did not receive bids
Hovenweep National Monument | Utah
Distance of proposed leases from boundary: 5 miles
Sale Date: March 2018
