Landmark deal protects artifact-rich Utah canyon

An unusual agreement to protect a Utah canyon decorated by ancient American Indian art is expected to allow energy development to move forward. The pact is scheduled to be signed Jan. 5 by federal and state agencies, conservation and archaeology groups, tribal leaders and a Denver-based natural gas producer. It calls for road work to cut down on abrasive dust that can erode the rock art panels of Nine Mile Canyon. The canyon — actually 78 miles long — has been called the world's longest art gallery, with thousands of prehistoric drawings. Bill Barrett Corp. is awaiting federal environmental approval to add 800 gas wells on high plateaus that are accessible only from Nine Mile Canyon. The company said it was happy to end years of dispute with an agreement that brought an unprecedented level of scrutiny to its project...read more