Well, it isn't just the San Rafael Swell that has drilling plans. The Paradox Basin, mainly in Utah and in parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona (heard of the four corners region) is tagged for opening for oil and gas development. Here is the report by the USGS: http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2012/3031/FS12-3031.pdf "The findings are based on using a geology-based assessment methodology, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated means of 560 million barrels of undiscovered oil, 12,701 billion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas, and 490 million barrels of undiscovered natural gas liquids in the Paradox Basin of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona." The Paradox Basin is around the major NP's in southern Utah, from Bryce in the West, Capitol Reef, up to Canyonlands and Arches. A friend of mine, Mike who lives in Wyoming, states in his opinion, but his opinion is based on facts and reports open to the public if one has the time to request and/or look them up (he is retired). "Yes, there is oil and gas everywhere in and around the famous national parks of southeastern Utah. And before you think, "But they can't drill in national parks!", think again. The gas and oil industry already drills in 12 national parks/preserves. With $40 billion in tax breaks, widespread state and local support, astounding profits, and blooming foreign markets, expect them to drill, drill, drill. It is the ending of dark skies from National Parks from Bryce, to Capitol Reef, to Arches and Canyonlands and other such pristine areas." It is no wonder Utah wants control of all this land. I guess observing at dark sites in Utah will be limited to the West Desert . . . as LP hits the major parks from the oil and gas wells that are drilled.