As an avid user of public lands in the Southwest, it’s important that we protect these places where we hike, bike and fish. Areas that could be damaged include Canyon of the Ancients, Phil’s World and the La Plata River.

If we allow the oil and gas industry to drill on our public lands, we are effectively allowing that land to become private, which will limit our access as hikers, bikers and anglers.

The Donald Trump administration is pushing to roll back many regulations on oil and gas extraction, as well as many of the environmental laws that protect the places we love. Because of this, we need to push the implementation of the MLP before Trump takes office. If it is implemented, 39,000 acres of land will have one more layer of protection against Trump’s energy plan.

I urge Mike Nedd, assistant director of energy, minerals and realty management at the BLM Washington office, to make the right choice and pass the Master Lease Plan.

Jake Hutcherson

Durango