Drilling oil .. on the Slickrock trail

Yeah, I've see that reported on several sites. It shouldn't be a surprise that it's come up since it's been on the table since 2008 per this paragraph I keep seeing: "Even though the BLM manages Sand Flats in partnership with Grand County for outdoor fun, it was included among the lands open for energy development under the 2008 plan for the Moab field office. It lies just outside the BLM’s Moab master leasing area established under President Barack Obama’s administration, which identifies places surrounding Arches and Canyonlands National parks that should not be drilled because of their popularity for cycling, climbing, hiking and four-wheeling." How Slickrock, the most iconic trail out there didn't get included in the original "master leasing area" is beyond me. If I was a betting man, I'd bet heavy against it ever actually occurring.
 
There’s lots of drilling fairly close to Moab, when I drove by it I was surprised at how not-upset I was about it. They seemed to be out of the way of the more picturesque spots, and I anticipate they know better than to get too close.

Utah government knows how its money is made. They are generally pro drilling but they know to keep it out of sight.

The local latte shop in downtown Vernal is named “I Love Drilling.” Fracking keeps the town from disappearing. The fracking supply trucks run through town all day. But from Dinosaur National Monument or the (excellent) MTB trails, you wouldn’t notice the industry, as the shale beds are down the road on the other side of town.

Utah knows that the tourists will come long after the shale dries up.
 
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