SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Department of the Interior announced plans on Monday to fire more than 10% of the staff at Utah’s Bureau of Land Management.

The department discussed cutting around 2,000 jobs for the National Parks and BLM offices nationwide, which could affect 93 workers at BLM offices in Utah.

Steve Bloch, Legal Director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said these cuts could be devastating.

“These are the staff who you interact with,” Bloch said. “And so it’s everything from are the trails maintained, to is there somebody at the office to answer your question for where you can camp with your families?”

Utah’s BLM also manages mineral contracts, including mining for coal and oil on federal lands. Bloch said a reduction in employees could cause problems for those con

See Full Page