Sold to the Richest Lobby: The Selling of Bears Ears Monument

The Bears Ears controversy could become a best “seller.” – Oh, wait! It already is! The nation has been sold a bill of goods under the name of protection. Lands that are already public and open to everyone, and protected by the BLM, are suddenly being confiscated by the Department of the Interior and changed into National Monuments and Parks. Millions of acres across the nation are turning into trophies for the presidential showcase with 23 already on display and a dozen more pending.  This is a tale of deceit, manipulation, greed, unbridled power and lobbyists gone “wild.”  This theft is being orchestrated in at least 12 states in the name of “protection,” and it is of proportions never seen before in the history of the United States. This insidious “campaign” orchestrated by Conservation Lands Foundation for more locked up land is not about preservation but about power.  As of July 2016 our debt was 18,152,809,942,589. Whoever pays the debt, will have the power.  (P.S. June 2019, that National Debt is now more than 22,000,000,000)

The land grab ploy often uses indigenous people, the Antiquities Act, or visions of “desecrated” landscapes to spin the need for National Monuments.  Let’s see how this was masterminded and is playing out in the words of one of the nation’s strongest lobby groups, The Conservation Lands Foundation.  (All quotes below come from the Conservation Lands Foundation or CLF Board Meeting Minutes San Francisco, CA 24 October 2014)

Lands at Risk: CLF Campaign –targeted for National Monuments Campaign

Targeted Lands:   Includes “ the most recent designations of the San Gabriels in L.A. (Ca), and the Pacific Remote Islands National Marine Monument (Hilo, Hi. Upcoming and on-going campaigns: Beryessa Snow Mountain (CA), Gold Butte, City (NV), Boulder White Clouds (Id), Cedar Mesa (Ut), Coast Dairies (CA), Desert and Browns Canyon (NM).  CLF staff  feels as though we are currently well positioned to secure designation for most if not all of these areas before the end of President Obama’s second term.”  How does that feel to know your state or a neighboring one may be a “campaign” target?

Fallacies not facts: Dick Moe stated, "Cedar Mesa has the most unique cultural sites in the nation and are not protected.”  These lands are already designated and designed to be protected by the Department of the Interior. It has authority to limit harmful activities, prohibit irresponsible uses, and enforce existing laws.  However, the Federal government has not adequately funded National Parks, nor has there been sufficient funding given the BLM to protect public land in San Juan County, Utah. If the Federal government cared about “protection” they already have the power to do so.  If they cannot afford it now, why do we believe they can afford it later?  Hmmm, another National debt issue? 

While visiting the green landscape in the northern part of the proposed monument, Secretary Jewell said, “’This [Bears Ears range] is so pristine; I can't believe it's not protected.’   There lies the oxymoron.  The actual Bears Ears area and mountain range HAS been protected. That IS why it is so pristine! It’s been protected well by Ute, Anglo, and Dine’ while all the time being used for herbs and ceremonies. Wood gatherers, hunters, campers, cattlemen, trail riders, hikers, and those who has enjoyed it the past 140 years, have kept it pristine. Very few ruins dot that landscape.  But most importantly, it provides life giving water to towns below, to Ute, Navajo and Anglos alike.  We protect it because it is our lifeline.  Why should we trust the Federal government to do that? Neither the CLF nor federal bureaucracy is invested or seems to care about the lives of rural America.

Looking behind the smoke and mirrors of media spin
The illusion that this is a "bottoms up" effort, driven by indigenous people is false.  The groups were organized by CLF associates.  This is a Top Down Organization and they are carefully watching all players in the game, from Secretary Jewell, down to each tribe. This is illustrated in their minutes, "Struggles with Secretary Jewell.  She is not being a strong advocate for the Antiquities Act, but continues to show gradual improvement.  With strong leadership from the White House this has become less of a roadblock." Looks to me that we were duped into thinking she was honestly seeking "local input!"

One CLF member admits to relying on the Navajo Nation, but asks, “What happens if we separate from them or disagree with them. Without their support the White House probably would not act.”  They are using coalition members as Kings in a grand scale game of chess, and tribal members as pawns.

Money is Power but does Might mean Right?  (2014) In the event that the Senate turns after the mid-term elections and there are more attacks on the Antiquities Act, CLF is leading a broad coalition of national organizations that are increasingly focused on defense. The Wyss Foundation and other funders have set aside some funding resources specifically for this purpose.  Do we believe as a citizenry that elections, campaigns, and land grabs should go to lobby groups with the most money or with the best spin? 

Obviously CLF has money. They “raised $12 million (60% of goal). One member noted that an additional $6 million will likely be received through foundation support over the next two years, and emphasized that the last $2 million will be the hardest to raise.”  And of course there was the $30,000 (no match) funding they gave to Friends of Cedar Mesa. Knowing this, how would it feel to be the focus of CLF's “campaign” or know your state might be the next target?

Everyone has been affected by CLF policies, plans, and hype: Government officials including important cabinet members, congressmen, all states with public lands, down to the poorest counties and reservations in the nation. The final question:  To whom is the United Stated indebted? Who has been paying our bills? And who has something to gain by owning more and more lands in the United States?

Published in The Navajo Times 8/11/16