June 5, 2009

The Bureau of Land Management is once again considering a proposal for drilling and road building in the heart of Adobe Town, one of the crown jewels in the Red Desert.

The Desolation Road Project
The proposal, called the "Desolation Road Project," includes one well and four miles of road along the northern border of the Adobe Town Wilderness Study Area. In 2003, the BLM lands bordering the current Wilderness Study Area were also officially found by the BLM to possess wilderness qualities. The proposal also includes an additional well on neighboring private lands in the "checkerboard" land ownership area.

The Desolation Road Project--A Very Bad Idea Because:

• There are many places in Wyoming where oil and gas development is appropriate, but there is no reason we should sacrifice an outstanding, heritage landscape like Adobe Town. The drilling would occur right in the heart of Adobe Town, at the base of the spectacular geological features of the Haystacks. In the interest of balance, the people of Wyoming should be able to identify a few special places, such as Adobe Town, where development should be off-limits.
• The state of Wyoming has officially recognized Adobe Town's signature landscapes, unique geology, archeological and paleontological resources, historic importance, unparalleled recreational opportunities, and rich diversity of native wildlife by designating all of Adobe Town as 'Very Rare or Uncommon' under state law.
• Adobe Town is home to one of the largest wild horse herds remaining in the West and this part of Adobe Town is also a noted trophy antelope hunting area.
• The area proposed for drilling also falls within the Monument Valley Management Area, which is under consideration to be designated by the BLM as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.  The BLM should carefully apply the strongest possible protections, including the rigorous environmental review of a full-fledged Environmental Impact Statement. This is not a situation that lends itself to a quick-and-dirty approval process.

Urge the BLM To Apply the Strongest Possible Protections for Adobe Town
The BLM is soliciting scoping comments on the Desolation Road Project at the Rock Springs Field Office. Comments must be postmarked by June 15, 2009. We urge you to send in comments and help protect Adobe Town, the crown jewel of Wyoming's high desert wilderness. Send your comments to:

Bureau of Land Management
Rock Springs Field Office
280 Highway 191 North
Rock Springs, WY 82901

Thank you for helping to protect one of Wyoming's very special places.