A new, compelling video from the Center for American Progress shows how drilling and fracking are encroaching on Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s an eye-opening look at how North Dakota’s industrial scale oil boom is wreaking havoc on the park and asks the question: How much are we willing to sacrifice?
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfOpPnfW0lo]
Here in Colorado, just one month after deferring controversial oil and gas leases next to Dinosaur National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado BLM Director Helen Hankins’ and her staff showed signs that Hankins may welch on her office’s commitment to protect our national parks.
Energy development and land conservation are out of balance on our public lands, and are out of balance with Western values.
The Obama Administration has leased 2.5 times more public lands to oil & gas companies than it has protected. Yet, 9 out of 10 western voters believe national parks, forests, monuments, and wildlife areas are an essential part of their state’s economy. While, 59 percent want to ensure strong standards are in place and that drilling is not allowed in critical locations near recreation areas, water sources, and wildlife.
It’s time for the BLM and the Obama administration to prioritize policies that protect our public lands and national parks.
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