The Bureau of Land Management’s Utah state office Friday deferred proposed oil and gas leasing of 99,960 acres following protests by conservationists and environmentalists.
The lease areas were near the state’s San Rafael Swell region.
The BLM is going ahead with the tender of 44,021 acres of oil and gas leases in Utah this week.
The state has about 11 million acres under federal management.
The San Rafael Swell area is known for dramatic scenery with red rock towers, spires and canyons and is a favorite destination among outdoor enthusiasts
