WASHINGTON – Today Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar requesting clarification on new restrictions that serve to further prevent the development of America's abundant domestic resources.

Lee expressed concern that the Master Leasing Plan (MLP) process currently used by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to reform oil and gas leasing could be obstructingresponsible exploration for oil and gas. The MLP is viewed by Lee as an “unnecessary obstacle to an already thorough and public process.” The letter states:

We understand that the BLM professionals have defended the land use plans written pursuant to the established Resource Management Plan (RMP) process and so it remains unclear why the land use plans were deemed to be insufficient to address any new issues. 

Joining Senator Lee on the letter are Sens. John Barrasso (R-WY), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT).

The letter includes a list of 12 questions and requests written responses in order to provide clarification of the intent of the MLP policy.

The full text of the letter is attached below.