National Parks Traveler Episode 71: Oil And Gas And National Parks

By - June 21st, 2020 7:00am
Oil and gas leasing in southern Utah could impact Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks

This week we take a look at the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s move to offer more than 110,000 acres in Utah for oil and gas development. How might that proposal impact Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands national parks? Erika Pollard from the National Parks Conservation Association joins us to explain some of the issues in play.  After listing to our conversation, take a look at this story that looks at the issue in more detail.

We leave you with a rationale for instituting a reservation system for visiting some units of the National Park System.

:02 National Parks Traveler introduction
:12 Episode introduction with Kurt Repanshek
1:21 Red Clay - Grant Geissman - The Sounds of The Grand Canyon
1:55 A discussion of oil and gas leasing in Utah and how it could impact Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef national parks with Erika Pollard of National Parks Conservation Association.
12:02 Escalante - Tim Heintz - The Sounds of Peaks, Plateaus and Canyons
12:17 National Parks Traveler promotion
12:31 Washington’s National Park Fund promotion
13:07 North Cascades Institute promotion
13:28 Friends of Acadia promotion
14:02 The discussion of oil and gas leasing in Utah continues.
23:29 Long Pond - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
24:01 Grand Teton National Park Foundation promotion
24:33 Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation promotion
25:02 An editorial on instituting a reservation system for visiting some national parks.
30:22 No’Easter - Nature’s Symphony - The Sounds of Acadia
30:33 Episode Closing
31:05 Orange Tree Productions promotion
31:44 National Parks Traveler footer

Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
National Parks Traveler Podcast
bootstrap

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 376 | ESA's Future

Since this past December here at the Traveler we’ve been bringing you a series of stories on the Endangered Species Act and the threatened and endangered species it’s intended to keep from going extinct.

For me, it’s been an eye-opening series because of what our editors and writers have learned about threatened and endangered species — from birds to trees and even to grasses — and the work being done to help them recover. It’s certainly not an easy task, and one that often takes decades before you can see progress.

May 31st, 2026 Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 375 | Rethinking Public Lands Stewardship

Public lands stewardship has most definitely changed under the second presidential administration of Donald Trump. Land-management agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management have lost thousands of employees, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is on a mission to turn the country’s public lands into a cash cow of sorts.

May 24th, 2026 Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 374 | Cook Inlet's Beluga Whales

A fast-track proposal to develop a gold mine near Alaska’s Cook Inlet and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is alarming scientists, environmental groups and local communities because of the devastating effects it is expected to have on the region’s critically endangered beluga whales.

May 17th, 2026 Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 373 | Southern Campaign of the American Revolution

America’s 250th birthday is coming up this summer, festivities will be held all over the country, and history buffs will be delving into the various nooks and crannies of the National Park System to see where they can visit sites of Revolutionary War battles.

Don't overlook South Carolina and its three park sites that preserve Revolutionary War battlefields – Kings Mountain National Military Park, Cowpens National Battlefield, and Ninety-Six National Historic Site. 

May 10th, 2026 Read More

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 372 | Print Ain’t Dead

We’re living in somewhat tumultuous times in the print media industry. Well-familiar titles are either disappearing, shrinking drastically, or shifting over to the internet. On top of that, the advent of Artificial Intelligence has some readers wondering how much human effort and talent went into the piece they're reading.

May 3rd, 2026 Read More
Explore All Podcasts

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks 

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks. 

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks 

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.