Nine Mile Canyon, Utah, Petroglyphs Endangered

Blog Updates

Update March 2008

Nine Mile Canyon is an internationally known site containing sacred petroglyphs and other cultural resources including a connection with Buffalo Soldier history. The Canyon contains expansive petroglyph "galleries" of prehistoric examples from the Archaic, Fremont, Ute and Historic rock art traditions.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) declared that the Bill Barrett Corporation (BBC) Seven Well Exploration Program will have no significant impact on Nine Mile Canyon's cultural resources is not, in our opinion, and in the opinion of The American Rock Art Association, correct.

Harmful impacts from the Project
The single well proposed for Nine Mile Canyon and 2 well sites for the tributary, Dry Canyon would be directly in conflict with nearby petroglyphs and cultural structures.

- Access roads, well pads, support buildings and industrial traffic would be harmful.
- Dust from construction and vehicles would damage the petroglyphs
- Construction workers might harm fragile rock engravings and structures
- Vibration from traffic, drilling and construction would also be harmful

What we would like to see happen
- The site should be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places
- A plan should be developed to encourage controlled visitor access in a way that will enhance the local economy

The Environmental Assessment
- The EA did not propose adequate mitigation
- An archaeologist on site will not be able to take care of harmful dust and vibrations
- The views of sacred symbols within a landscape context will be forever obstructed
- Fencing some areas would not prevent entry and damage to sensitive area

The Recommendation
- Adoption of the No Action Alternative A which requires, "The Action as proposed would need to be relocated and/or abandoned."

Letter-Writing Campaign
Please send polite letters referencing: The Seven Well Exploration Program Environmental Assessment UT-070-2002-48 and make the points listed above. Send you letters as soon as possible to: Dean Nyffeler, Bureau of Land Management, Price Field Office, 125 South 600 West, Price, UT 84501.

ssif / preservation / Sarmezegetusa