Beyond The Bears Ears: August 2019

Saturday, August 31, 2019

"Be Nice" Revival -- Following Divisiveness in Meetings Bear Essentials 8/30/2019

Life Beyond the Wasatch Front

~~ Incendiary Provocations Close Doors, Undermine Bridge Building

~~ Election Integrity: America's Biggest Issue

~~ New York Times Trying to Rewrite History to Fit Its Biases

~~ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Loves to Hate the Electoral College

~~Massive Rock Fall in Zions Injures Three Hikers

~~ Commissioners United in Ending Lawsuit Concerning Redistricting

~~ Two Town Hall Meetings held Recently: Monticello and Mexican Water

The objective and balanced reporting in this KUER article is appreciated.

~~ New Dinosaur Dig South of White Mesa KUER

"Just south of Blanding, researchers are excavating seven giant dinosaur vertebrae. They are part of a 70-foot-long diplodocus skeleton that will be on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County."

~~ Patagonia Shame Patch/ Public Lands Council

The Public Lands Council iron-on clothing patches are designed to cover the logo on Patagonia merchandise and cure “Patagonia Shame.” These patches were developed in response to the profit-driven marketing efforts of multinational retail corporation Patagonia, who promoted false claims about national monuments in the wake of the recent decision to appropriately scale Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante.

Visit http://publiclandscouncil.org/ to get your patch today!

~~ Gavin Noyes Claims Concerning Cultural and Political Divide:

"The issue is that the white people live in the north, and the Native American people live in the south, and those are two different worlds that don’t interact."

~~ Accusations from M. Maryboy Fly in the Face of Open Meeting Concept

Quotes from Mark Mayboy's rant at Aug. 23 meeting, Mexican Water Chapter House

Here are a few moments from Mark Maryboy's unprovoked rant at the Mexican Water chapter of the Navajo Nation Aug 23 during a town-hall meeting (comments were directed at a handful of San Juan County residents – of group members only one was male, several were Navajo – who drove down from the northern part of county).

Maryboy was scheduled to talk about water rights at the meeting, according to its agenda (below). He went off script. Two reporters were there – Zak Podmore, from The Salt Lake Tribune, and Kate Groetzinger, from KUER radio in Salt Lake City. Both have access to national media. It's likely Maryboy knew they were there and would report his every word.

Maryboy is a board member of the Salt Lake City-based activist group Utah Dine Bikeyah and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and a long-time advocate of creation of Bears Ears National Monument. He's been quoted extensively as an authoritative source in hundreds of regional and national reports published by the nation's most prominent news outlets.

* Navajos on the BLM's Bears Ears advisory committee are "tame Indians" just trying to get something from "white Mormons."

* To a questioner who suggested she and Maryboy might be related through an aunt: "She's too ugly to be related to me."

* “All I can say is that you have an idiot aunt,” Maryboy used that adjective several times.

* A question on November's ballot about possibly changing the way county commissioners are selected came from "racist Mormons from Blanding and Monticello."

* The petition was pandering to "illiterate" Navajos.

* “Red-neck Mormons is what they are … They are probably all members of the Ku Klux Klan.”

* “Which part of the Ku Klux Klan do you belong to?”

* “If they don’t let the Navajos (govern) … all I can say is go back to Missouri where you came from.”

~~ Zak Podmore's SL Trib's Version of the Mexican Water Meeting Aug 21

Response by Nicole Perkins after reading his article: "

"I didn't know that Zak was a such an adept gymnast. He has really mastered those backflips and somersaults, twists and handsprings as he carefully danced and twirled his way oh so delicately around Mark and his rantings. Fascinating performance with quick turnabouts as he savagely painted a red target on the back of a Navajo lady with such masterly, dastardly precision. I give it a 10 for his fairytale performance but sadly a 1 for actual journalism."

~~ Worsening Road Conditions on the Navajo Reservation

~~ Is Johnny Depp's "Sauvage" Perfume Ad Appropriate Use of Sacred Land?

~~"Facebook Bias Regarding Conservative Views, Alive and Well"

~~ Hikers Have Adverse Effect on Elk

~~ SL Tribune Gehrke Spews Racist Remarks about San Juan County

Does this look like San Juan County is Racist? We (Hispanic, Navajo, Anglo, Ute) all joined together in 2016 because of what was being done to us and our county because of Pres. Obama's excessive declaration of a 1.9 M acre Nat'l Park...7/27/2016 Senator Lee and other State officials spoke and people from all walks of life, and cultures spoke and were listened to.

~~ Old News in case you missed it: Conservation in the West/ Nat'l Geographic Article:

“It is encouraging and inspiring to see Congress renew America’s long, bipartisan tradition of conserving lands, wildlife, and waters, bolstering rural economies, and guaranteeing public access to the outdoors for the enjoyment of all,” said Molly McUsic, president of the Wyss Foundation, whose founder the Jackson Hole, Wyoming-based businessman Hansjörg Wyss announced last autumn that he was giving $1 billion to the cause of conservation. Wyss and McUsic are hopeful that strong support for the Dingell Act might serve as a wakeup to the Trump administration in realizing that environmental protection is a winning position. This passed in March, and affected several parts of Utah

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Description/Agenda: SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 3, 2019

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA

9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. San Juan Stampede Update - Karah Nay, Rodeo Director
2. Review of Draft Agreement between the Bureau of Land Management and San Juan County regarding law enforcement services - Sheriff Torgerson
3. Briefing regarding a possible request for a Library Fund tax increase for 2020 - Pat Smith, Library Director
4. Review a request to purchase a truck for the Public Works Department - Ben Mussselman, Public Works Director
5. Discuss contract modifications with the U.S. Forest Service regarding cattle guard installation and certain road treatments - Ben Musselman, Public Works Director
6. Discuss a resolution authorizing outside legal counsel to file cross-appeals to 2019 appeals filed by taxpayers subject to central assessment - Kendall Laws, SJC Attorney
7. Discussion of a possible employee compensation study - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
8. Follow up Discussion of a resolution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
9. Updates - Jerry McNeely, SJC Liason
10. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Accept the 2018 financial audit findings - Jon Haderlie, Larsen and Company
4. Approve new pay schedule for sworn officers in the Sheriff's Office - Jason Torgerson, SJC Sheriff
5. Approve the Public Works Department truck purchase -Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works Director
6. Approve contract modifications with U.S. Forest Service regarding cattle guard installation and certain road treatments - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works Director
7. Out of State Travel - Paige Wray, USU Extension
8. Approve a letter of support for a SITLA range improvement project - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
9. ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAN JUAN COUNTY, ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF MEXICAN HAT SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT, OF A PARAMETERS RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE BY MEXICAN HAT SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT OF A WATER REVENUE AND REFUNDING BOND IN AN AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING RELATING THERETO
10. Approve a resolution authorizing outside legal counsel to file cross appeals to 2019 appeals filed by taxpayers subject to central assessment - Kendall Laws, SJC Attorney
11. Approve a resolution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
12. Commission Reports
13. Executive session to discuss pending or imminent litigation
14. Approve resolution designating individuals to participate in mediation on behalf of the Commission with regard to attorneys' fees owed to the Navajo Nation

Do You Suffer From PLES or Because of it?

PUBLIC LAND EXPANSION SYNDROME

By Kelly Green

Public land expansion syndrome is addictive and the continual craving for more and more territory is never ending. Thus PLES continues to cause ongoing damage to America’s public lands and to nearby communities in rural Utah. To keep the expansion going and the addicts hooked on obtaining more and more land from the federal government, outdoor retailers have specific marketing strategies with the goal to increase profit and keep their product alive and well for the environmental crowd. They collaborate, join, and infiltrate various NGO’s by getting on boards to influence public opinion. This strategy ensures that the goal of acquisition continues.

By giving sizable donations to promote the expansion of public lands, these donations are then used as seed money with NGO’s, to entice people to come out and buy their products and subscribe to the organization. Bears Ears National Monument is the latest promotion focal point and companies like Patagonia, Black Diamond, and others, benefit financially in the fight to “ Stand with Bears Ears .” The eco minded crowd are enticed to buy these products not only as a status symbol, but to show solidarity for the environmental movement because they think they are helping the cause.

Propaganda to “ Protect “ the environment from the threat of climate change stirs strong emotional response among followers and they are eager to believe, without critically looking at all the facts. Photoshopped images showing out of control mining operations or oil wells pumping away next to pristine vistas are common advertising strategies. These false images and exaggerated articles (for advertising purposes) are used to attract new followers and also help bring in more donations from the general public.

Utah Diné Bikeyah, Friends of Cedar Mesa, and Southern Wilderness Alliance have used oil well pump jacks cropped into local scenery to stir up environmental concerns. These organizations are encouraged to lobby for political favor. In addition, they hire attorneys as legal experts who can then initiate litigation against County, State, and the federal government for cash settlements, attention, and slowing down any potential commercial activity. The constant pressure to fight these frivolous lawsuits has devastating effects upon local communities and counties who depend upon public land to live-- thus rural Utah has become a targeted casualty. Schools suffer, roads decay, services diminish, and families suffer.

When questioned about the economic loss of existing industries in rural communities, the patent answer by these groups is usually "tourism is the way to economic prosperity because it is a cleaner industry." Escalante National Monument visitation has increased 63% over the last decade with 1.1 million visitors from October 2017 through September 2018, according to U.S. government figures. The impact visitors are having on the landscape is having devastating effects. Prior to its designation, with other industries as the mainstay, the overall impact on the land was much less.

Public Land Expansion Syndrome is a danger to rural America because the end result is the destruction of higher paying jobs and the unraveling of the social fabric that communities traditionally inherit through generational residency. Young people are forced to leave due to economic hardship. The Nonprofit hierarchy get rich by the legal actions they implement and rather than improve communities, they systematically destroy them. Escalante, and Moab, Utah are two classic examples of how this impacts communities. Neighbors to the south who reside near Bears Ears Country, are worried this same problem will occur for their communities.

Public Land Expansion Syndrome creates more problems than it solves. The Federal government cannot maintain and manage what they are currently responsible for. Budgetary shortfalls for basic infrastructure repairs are at the breaking point. Parks like Zions, Arches, Escalante National Monument, and other national treasures are all examples of overwhelmed spaces because people are coming in droves. The strain affects local communities in a negative manner because infrastructure is taxed beyond what can be provided. This leaves local taxpayers to foot the bill. Ironically, in Moab, growth has exploded because wealthy investors are moving in from other states and buying up less expensive property and building expensive homes. This raises taxes and improves revenue, but sooner or later infrastructure costs for water and sewer are impacted beyond what they can provide and costs for growth is taking an ugly toll.

Ironically, continual lobbying goes on for more and more, “ protected “ public land. Another tactic used for diverting the serious influx of people by the Public Land Expansion Syndrome crowd is to blame others. Users like 4x4 enthusiasts and UTV riders are identified as the problem. Those who sympathize with the NGO’s are often active in local politics and constantly lobby against those who use the roads and trails for motorized travel on public access. They constantly try to redefine what is appropriate and have no qualms about keeping out those with different recreational tastes from enjoying outdoor activities like camping and motorized travel.

Public Land Expansion Syndrome is at the core of the problem. Changing the rules to allow only one type of user over another unfairly discriminates. Recently, Utah Congressman Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch tried to change the rules,and they received a lot of criticism by both the environmental community and the motorized recreational users over this controversial bill. The 1964 Wilderness Act prohibits the use of any form of “mechanical transport” in wilderness areas-- keeping motorized vehicles like cars, dirtbikes, ATVs and aircraft out of these areas. The Congressmen proposed that non-motorized vehicles be allowed. The Human-Powered Travel in Wilderness Areas Act would give local land managers the discretion to allow mountain bikers into wilderness areas However, this sets a dangerous precedent for discriminatory land use for all Americans. Here again, if allowed, more and more people will want to go into areas that have not had that level of increased human activity. Public Land Expansion Syndrome discriminates because gives preference to one user over another.

It is time to stop the fallacy that a tourist driven economy is cleaner and has less impact on the land than other industries. Tourism's exaggerated claim of being a better alternative has not panned out in terms of financial security and a better way of life for rural communities. The sustainable economies promised based on industrial tourism perpetuate poverty among the working class. Unintended consequences show that housing has become more expensive and wages fail to rise in meeting the demand for affordable shelter. Workers cannot bear the high expense to live in the communities they once thrived in. To compensate, businesses that operate in tourist heavy enclaves bring in foreign workers and provide seasonal work in dormitory type quarters that are unsuitable for families. Local home rental prices are beyond what is reasonably affordable so people work several jobs.

Quiet outlying areas are seeing rental property increase as workers move further and further away searching for more affordable housing. Traffic on two lane rural roads has increased exponentially as longer distances are now normal just to get to work. Some outspoken voices have advocated forced wage increase by business owners, but owners hesitate to do so as this jeopardizes their competitive edge and will drive tourists away. Tourism pays much less than what you find with other jobs in the private sector. Mom and Pop businesses struggle to find dependable help. Supply and demand for workers will continue to be a struggle because temporary seasonal workers are filling the gap for now.

Meanwhile, continual attacks on extraction industries such as mining, oil, logging, and ranching, continues from the Public Land Expansion Syndrome crowd. Eliminate the competition and you're the only game in town. One business that has been overlooked or ignored as a bright spot in communities are small ranching and farming operations. In terms of direct impact, the industry is much cleaner and is more reliable long term. Generations of ranching and farming families have been able to thrive and continue a way of life that is truly sustainable and has much less overall Impact on surrounding public land. In today's world you will find such businesses scattered throughout America and especially in rural Utah. Joint collaboration between the ranchers and farmers with federal agencies have created sustainable jobs that provide income to families in a competitive market as compared to tourist jobs.

Another problem that Public Land Expansion Syndrome creates is the loss of useable lumber and wood gathering due to the devastation of fire. Juniper and other forest land is not able to be managed properly because various environmental organizations bring legal action to stop any kind of tree removal or management where insect blight needs to be controlled. This also affects wildlife as the loss of habitat kills hundreds of different species when out of control wildfire occurs.

The damage occurring on an environmental and societal level are a diversion to hide the ugly problems that Public Land Expansion Syndrome is causing. Non-Profit entities have created well paying jobs for themselves along with outdoor retail corporations but don't care what it does to rural communities. If it was once about protecting the land, that is no longer the case.

Kelly Mike Green
Lifelong resident of Southeastern Utah.

For more insight watch Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond: Managing the Environment

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Angst in August Generates Involvement; Bear Essentials 8/17/2019

Be sure to come: Listen, Ask, Learn

~~ Agenda for Aug. 20 SJC Commission meeting in Bluff: 9 AM & 11 AM

Bluff Community Center(3rd and Mulberry)

9: 00 AM

1. Discuss potential changes to interlocal agreement between Bluff & San Juan County - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
2. Discussion about a future trash drop box site in Bluff - Randy Rarick, SJC Landfill Manager
3. Briefing on the countywide special election taking place this November - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
4. Discussion of other issues in the Bluff area - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
5. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Consideration of the referability of an application for a ballot initiative submitted by San Juan County residents - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
4. Approve new hires - Walter Bird, SJC HR Director
5. Discussion & possible approval of a sole source procurement for engineering services for cell closure for the County Landfill - Randy Rarick, SJC Landfill Manager
6. Discussion and possible approval for the Chair to sign a letter to the Bureau of Land Management with comments on the Canyon Rims Area Travel Management Plan - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
7. Discussion and possible approval of the Chair to sign a letter to the U.S. Forest Service regarding proposed rule changes - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
8. Discussion and possible approval of a resolution urging caution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
9. Discussion and possible approval of a resolution authorizing the Chair to enter into an employment agreement on behalf of San Juan County with the future San Juan County Administrator - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator

~~ SUWA's Frivolous Law Suit, Followed by Appeal to Ut. Supreme Court

~~ Utahans Say They Want the SL Tribune to Survive but Only 25% Read It

~~ Looking for Common Ground With No Common Compass

~~ Fire Warnings in Colorado and SE Utah: Don't Burn Anything

~~ (Note to SL Tribune: Stop Bullying

~~SECRETARY BERNHARDT TRANSFORMS INTERIOR’S ETHICS PROGRAM

~~ Accomplishments: Bernhardt's first 100 Days as Sec. Of Interior -- Video

~~ Canyon Zephyr Digs out Recapture Protest info: Spring 2014 Parts 1, 2, 3

~~ Secretary of Agriculture Announces: Changes to Heavy Handed Sage Grouse Controls Aug. 1, 2019

"Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04): "The Obama administration imposed one of the largest land grabs in American history under the guise of protecting the Greater sage-grouse, a species that isn’t even threatened or endangered. Their real motivation was to lockup as much land as possible, preventing multiple-use activities like oil and gas production, mining, and grazing in the process. The Greater sage-grouse was simply the means to their end as the bird’s habitat comprises 173 million acres in 11 Western States. Secretary Perdue’s announcement is welcome news as it is the third and final piece of the puzzle in terms of reining in the sage-grouse overreach of the previous administration. I applaud President Trump and his administration for treating Western states as partners instead of forcing their political agenda down our throats like the Obama administration."

~~ Unrest with Adakai Leadership

~~ Follow: San Juan's Monumental Divide - By Bill Keshlear

~~ Tourism Only Part of a Diverse Economy: Letter to the editor by Bill Haven

~~ Legal Fees Continue to Mount in Litigious Environment

"The roosters at the Tribune would like to take credit for the sun coming up in the morning – 18 months after the sunrise!" They finally run a related story. The San Juan Record has been consistent in reporting the cost of defending freedoms in San Juan County. 1) From February, 2018 2)From January, 3) 2019 Read full story