While it is true that the gas and oil industry provides some employment in the area, it is also true that our Four Corners landscape and the archaeological, recreational, agricultural and natural resource values it contains offer so much more than cheap fossil fuels. At a time when we should be vigorously pursuing alternative energy sources there is certainly no sense in rushing into yet more questionable industrial-scale gas and oil development, especially on steep, easily eroded land.

Commissioners Gwen Lachelt and Julie Westendorff have served their constituents well in urging BLM to take a harder look at these proposed leases, and to consider the many other public values at stake.

Veronica Egan

Mancos