Lands Leased in November 2003
Reports & Consumer Guides
Public Land Policy Alert: Utah : Lands Leased in November 2003
February 18, 2004
Over 13,000 Acres of Wilderness Lands Bought by Oil and Gas Interests
At auction in November 2003, BLM offered oil and gas leases on 13,740 acres of land that BLM's "most experienced wilderness professionals" identified as wilderness quality. Industry jumped at the chance to develop these irreplaceable lands, placing bids on over 95% of the acreage. Among more than a dozen sensitive features, the land includes habitat for eagles and antelope as well as three municipal watersheds.
Summary of Wilderness Lands Offered in November 2003
| Acres of Wilderness Land Offered | 13,740 |
| Parcels with Wilderness Land | 18 |
| Parcels with Wilderness Land Receiving Bids | 14 |
| Acres of Wilderness That May Be Developed | 13,250 |
| Average Winning Bid | Less than $ 20/acre |
| Smallest Winning Bid | $ 1.50/acre |
About the Wilderness Land Parcels with Pending Leases
| 3 | contain elk habitats |
| 3 | contain peregrine falcon habitats |
| 5 | contain deer habitats |
| 3 | contain Mexican spotted owl habitats |
| 3 | contain antelope habitats |
| 3 | contain municipal watersheds |
| 3 | may have visual impact |
| 3 | contain bald eagle habitats |
| 3 | have soil erosion concerns |
| 3 | contain golden eagle habitats |
| 11 | are on floodplains |
Source: EWG analysis of BLM final sale list for the November 2003 Utah Oil and Gas Lease Auction.
Who purchased the leases?
| Company/Individual | Number of Leases Purchased |
|---|---|
| Baseline Minerals Inc. | 3 |
| Retamco Operating Inc. | 3 |
| SonJa V. McCormick | 2 |
| Tidewater Oil & Gas Co. | 7 |
Source: EWG analysis of BLM sale results for the November 2003 Utah Oil and Gas Lease Auction.