Soil crusts destroyed by seismic exploration

The 3-foot wide tires of thumper trucks destroy cryptobiotic soil crusts. This damage is from seismic exploration near Canyonlands National Park in 2001. According to an official BLM publication for recreationists, "This crust forms the foundation of our local ecosystem by keeping the desert floor in place. When disturbed, crushed or smothered by blowing sand, the critical cyanobacteria in the soil stops fixing nitrogen, and therefore, can no longer provide essential nutrients. Once the crust is gone, plants and animals cannot live here. We can't bring the crust back; we can only protect it so we don't create a wasteland. Avoid all cross-country travel!"

Apparently the rules are different for oil companies. Shame on the BLM for being so hypocritical.

Index:
* View from Delicate Arch threatened
* View from Dead Horse Point threatened
* Oil well in Canyon Country
* Soil crusts destroyed by seismic exploration
* Soil damage from seismic exploration
* View from Canyonlands threatened
* Oil wells near Arches
* Ugly tracks from seismic exploration
* Threats to Delicate Arch - 360 degree panorama
* Delicate Arch and Dome Plateau - aerial
* Threats to Delicate Arch - panorama
* View from Delicate Arch threatened
* Computer viewshed from Delicate Arch
* Sludge pit in Canyon Country
* View from Arches NP threatened
* Thumper truck damage
* Lockhart Basin and Canyonlands NP - computer viewshed
* Lockhart Basin and Canyonlands NP
* Delicate Arch and Dome Plateau - aerial

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