Trump administration backs off plans to open land near Utah national parks to drilling
(WorldNews Politics)

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has canceled plans to open tens of thousands of acres for oil and gas drilling near three national parks in Utah next month, a victory for environmentalists and residents angered by its proposal. In all, the Bureau of Land Management`s plans had called for more than 114,000 acres of federal land across southern Utah to be auctioned off in September, one of many lease sales across the West planned for the end of this year. But from the outset, the proposal generated fierce debate because most of the land — about 87,000 acres — is close to three of the state`s biggest tourist attractions: Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef national parks....