Oh my goodness. Just read the article. BLM is virtually turning western Wyoming (known as the Serengeti of the West) into a oil-drilling field.

“In the past two years, the BLM issued a record 13,070 drilling permits on federal land, but industry drilled just 5,844 wells.”

Isn’t that absolutely ridiculous? I’m as much an advocate for energy independence as the next person, but there probably isn’t much oil in Wyoming to make much of a difference anyway.

Land management, my ass. I wonder if BLM is being led by Bush-appointed oil-industry cronies, because what they’re oding just seems so contrary to the purpose of land and wildlife management.

So what solution(s) are you proposing, Bobby?

Bush Administration’s philosophy about energy is basically to deplete one energy resource then go to the next viable, profitable energy resource. Although it gives energy companies great incentive to do business trading rare resources at higher profit margins, the government needs to step in and fund research to make alternative energy resources such as clean burning fuel from corn more efficient and cost effective to extract. Additionally, the government needs to take a more active role in pushing auto manufacturers to create more efficient cars. Taxpayers should get tax credits for using hybrid cars and using gas taxes to subsidize public transportation.

I think reducing suburban sprawl by controlling development will reduce the longer commutes that are becoming more commonplace and encourage people to live closer to work. With so many people commuting longer than before, the consumption of gas is increasing.

It’s so difficult to comprehend the greed of so many people who think they need a big house and a gas-guzzling Hummer.

Rob: First of all, the word needs to get out. Second, as far as a solution: I think that the light being shed on the Bureau right now (by the Post, natch) is probably making them uncomfortable. I mean, biologists being employed to do grunt work filling out drilling applications is just unconscionable. The REAL question is what can an Deaf citizen like me do about this. Anybody have any ideas other than writing a letter to Congressmen or Representatives?

I have land in Hot Springs Montana that was my grandmothers…most of the town. It was taken because of they say taxes owed but I have a letter by Woodrow Wilson saying our land cannot be taken because of taxes. There have been alot of illigal things done that the BIA will not help us with. We feel lead astray and lied to. When you live so far away its very expensive to get an attorney and one that isn’t also involved with this theft.

I’m doing a project on the BLM and I don’t really understand the whole oil deal. How much are they selling the land for? When did they start doing this?