BLM deferring Dinosaur-area oil, gas leasing
BLM oil, gas auction in May includes 2 parcels in Arizona but none near Dinosaur, Colo.
DENVER (AP) -- The Bureau of Land Management says it won't offer any parcels in the Dinosaur area in western Colorado at its oil and gas lease auction in May.
The BLM said Wednesday it is deferring the lease of dozens of parcels near Dinosaur for further review after the National Park Service raised concerns about the parcels' proximity to Dinosaur National Monument. The BLM previously said leasing of at least three parcels would be deferred.
The auction May 9 will still offer leases on five parcels totaling 5,577 acres for energy development. Two parcels are in Mohave County in Arizona, two are in Larimer County in Colorado, and one is in Jackson County in Colorado.
The deadline for submitting protests is 4 p.m. March 11.
