(Scott Sonner | AP file photo) On Nov. 7, 2017, Raul Morales, right, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's deputy state director for Nevada, looks at a map of sage grouse habitat areas on BLM lands in Nevada and Northeastern California during a public meeting in Sparks, Nev. Federal land managers have withdrawn more than 500 square miles of public land from a swath of eastern Nevada where oil and gas drilling leases were scheduled to be auctioned off on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019. Critics say rock-bottom oil prices have led to rank speculation in government leasing of oil and gas drilling rights.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.