Recently the Obama administration approved a plan for Gasco, a Colorado-based gas company, to drill in the Desolation Canyon wilderness area of the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah.
Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1968, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) calls it the "largest unprotected roadless complex in the lower 48 states."
Environmental groups oppose drilling in the area, including the NRDC. "It's bewildering that Secretary Salazar, who has been such a strong advocate of conserving America's great outdoors, would allow turning Desolation Canyon into an industrial wasteland," said Sharon Buccino, director of NRDC's Land and Wildlife program. "Desolation Canyon has some of the most stunning wilderness vistas found anywhere. It is no wonder that EPA gave this proposal its worst environmental rating possible."
"Secretary Salazar is making the wrong decision to approve the Gasco project in a way that creates irreversible risks to Desolation Canyon," said Peter Metcalf CEO/President of Black Diamond, Inc.
"Secretary Salazar's approval of the controversial Gasco project stands in stark contrast to the agreements worked out over the past few years between industry, the Interior Department, and conservation groups over several natural gas projects in eastern Utah," said Stephen Bloch, an attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Let Secretary Salazar know that you oppose drilling in the Desolation Canyon area!
