Terry Catlin, minerals leasing spokeswoman for the BLM in Salt Lake City, said conservation groups have protested 78 of the 81 parcels listed for the quarterly lease sale scheduled for Aug. 21. The BLM generally expects protests on about half to three-quarters of lease parcels, she said.

The protests don't mean the parcels, which cover 141,265 acres, will be held back. But one of the conservation groups, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, is arguing that 29 parcels on 46,000 acres in Summit, Millard and Juab counties ought to be reconsidered due to possible habitat damage for elk and mule deer.

The group, based in Missoula, Mont., says the BLM has inadequately planned for the needs of deer and elk in the Deep Creek Range, the West Tintic and Sheeprock Mountains and other areas of central and southern Utah hunting regions.

Other groups lodging protests include the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Trout Unlimited and the Denver-based Center for Native Ecosystems.

Catlin noted that the BLM is required to hold lease sales every quarter. Recent court rulings on how cultural and other resources are evaluated have led the agency to be more cautious when putting the parcels up for auction.

"We scrutinize them very hard these days. We expect to be challenged," she said.

The 10-year leases expire if the leaseholder doesn't develop them within that period, Catlin said, adding "lots of leases get sold but few of them get developed."

But William Geer, former director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources now working with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said issuing the leases sets in motion activities that are difficult to undo.

"If the BLM sells these leases and then later realizes it erred because of important wildlife or recreational values, there's almost no going back," he said in a statement. "It's time to start planning before we act."

Geer said "irresponsible energy development" combined with serious drought and habitat loss has led to hunters' reports of shorter seasons and fewer mule deer in Wyoming's Upper Green River region. "Without visible pre-drilling plans and agency commitments for exactly how mule deer will be sustained during development, Utah hunters could face the same losses," he said.

Typically, the BLM does not select lands to offer for lease. Rather, industry representatives nominate them. Any U.S. citizen at least 18 years old may register and bid on the parcels offered at auction.

For more information on the lease sale, go to www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/prog/energy/oil and gas/oil and gas lease.html.