Associated Press - November 4, 2009 4:15 PM ET

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is deferring the auction of controversial oil and gas leases in the high desert Adobe Town area in southwest Wyoming.

The Wyoming BLM announced Wednesday that is seeking guidance from the BLM in Washington, D.C., on "wilderness issues" and won't offer the 15 parcels at an auction in Cheyenne on Dec. 1.

Groups including the Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and Wyoming Outdoor Council protested auctioning the leases. They pointed out that local and state officials oppose drilling in the Adobe Town area.

The deferred leases cover nearly 15,000 acres, or about 23 square miles.

Fifty-eight leases are still up for auction. They include 17 in areas the state has identified as core sage grouse habitat.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.