Did you hear?… Bush authorizes oil exploration and drilling in Utah

While the consumer press has been largely mum on the issue, the Access Fund has asked us to point out to our readers that President Bush recently, and very quietly, authorized oil exploration and drilling between Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park in Utah. Some of this exploration will occur on land recently reviewed for expansion of Canyonlands National Park. The San Rafael Swell just south of Capitol Reef NP is also being considered for oil and gas drilling. Federal and state park officials, and even some oil companies, object to this policy. For a detailed report, click on the New York Times article. The Access Fund is concerned about the potential effects of oil and gas exploration on the climbing experience in Canyonlands, Indian Creek, and other lesser-known areas in this region. Fund spokespersons said they do not believe the limited resources that could be extracted from these areas justify the disruption of the environment that inevitably accompanies drilling. For more information, click on www.accessfund.org