October Tricks / Treats ~~ Bear Essentials Oct. 24, 2019

Life in the Rural West

~~Possible Fallout from the "BIG Little Question" on Nov. Ballot

By Bill Keshlear

"However, any eventual change brought about in good faith across party lines could foster a sense of electoral fairness among all county residents – a crucial ingredient in bridging San Juan's monumental divide and successful governance. Democratic Party intransigence, real or perceived, could widen the divide even further than it already is."

"It's a countywide vote, and countywide votes don't go well for liberals in San Juan. The county remains deeply anti-monument and deeply conservative, even with a slight majority of Navajo residents (Here's an under-reported factoid: Navajos can be, and are, conservative and Mormon).

• Not one pro-Bears Ears National Monument candidate came even close to winning a majority of county votes in any race conducted across San Juan in November. For example, county voters handed pro-monument congressional candidate James Singer, a Navajo, a landslide loss. Same with Jenny Wilson versus Mitt Romney for U.S. Senate. Democrats didn't even field a candidate against Phil Lyman, the former county commissioner, in his bid for the Utah Legislature.
• Former commissioner Rebecca Benally, an anti-monument Navajo, lost a squeaker of a primary race last year to Kenneth Maryboy despite winning her district’s two Navajo majority precincts. Liberal voters in and around Bluff put him over the top.
• Tally up the total number of votes countywide that put Grayeyes and Maryboy on the commission. Those two pro-monument candidates got 2,022 votes; Kelly Laws and Bruce Adams got 2,354 (2,957 if you count the write-ins against Maryboy).
• The Aneth Chapter, the largest of the Utah Navajo chapters and the only one wholly within the state’s border, voted against monument designation. It also is closest to Bears Ears."

~~ The Real Question that Needs to be Asked in Presidential Debates:  What about the National Debt?

~~ Socialism has Failed in Every Country Where it's Been Tried

~~ Information ad In Navajo on KNDN  - Information on SJC Gov Study 

~~ County Citizens to Vote on Study Concerning Form of Government

~~ Whistle Blower Reinstated in Nevada Grazing Dispute

~~ Utah's Unemployment Rate Continues to Improve

~~ Judge Rules that Lyman Does Not Have to Increase Restitution Payments

"misdemeanor charge for illegal use of ATVs and conspiracy for organizing a 2014 protest ride through a canyon."

~~ People of All Faiths Invited to Show up for Sabbatt to Show Unity Against Hate 

~~BLM Speeds OIl And Gas Leasing Despite Concerns 

~~ ACLU Claims Navajos Aren't Informed Regarding Ballot Issue

    Ryan Benally disagrees with article: "The county was at every chapter meeting...With TWO Navajo liaisons describing the election. Back in SEPTEMBER...."  

~~ County Officials Considering Tax Increase  San Juan Record

"Despite the fact that San Juan County is already the highest-taxed county in the state by percentage, a property tax increase of 22.9 percent is being considered by three separate entities associated with San Juan County."

~~ Liberals of America Want Public Lands Protected Via More Monuments

                           This is what happened instead: Graffiti at Moki Dugway 

~~ Where are Funds Coming From to pay for False Publicity like this?

~~ How to Handle Overcrowding In National Parks

~~  Moab City Officials Disagree with NPS, Hope to keep ATV's out of Arches

"A recent order by Acting Regional Director of the National Park Service, Palmer “Chip” Jenkins, to allow off-highway vehicles such as ATVs and UTVs into Utah’s national parks is positioned to possibly stall out when it is scheduled to go into effect Nov. 1."

~~ Moab Sun Times Writer, B. Blosser,  Disagrees with ATV's in Nat'l Parks

~~ Public Land Workers Face Assaults and Threats/ Montana

~~ Studies on Arches Traffic May Last through 2020

--------------------------

~~ Discussions / Decisions from Oct. 15  SJ Commission Meeting

 SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM AGENDA
                                                      October 15, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Public Hearing - Mexican Hat Special Service District
a. Public Hearing to receive input from the public with respect to the issuance of the Water Revenue Bonds for the Mexican Hat Special Service District and the potential economic impact that the improvement, facility, or property for which the Bonds will pay all or part of the cost will have on the private sector.
2. Economic Development & Tourism Update Regarding Economic Diversification Summit & Tourism Tour - Natalie Randall, San Juan County Economic Development & Visitor Services Director
3. School District Briefing on SITLA and what it does for the School District - Kyle Hosler, San Juan School District
4. Road Department Procurement Request for Spreader - Ben Musselman, San Juan County Public Works Director
5. Jared Kropf Property Reassessment - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
6. Lisbon Valley Mine Property Tax Pay Off Proposal - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
7. Briefing on Potential Property Tax Increases - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
8. Discussion of At Your Leisure State Parks 360 Trail Mapping Project - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
9. Proposed Manti-La Sal National Forest Plan Revision - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
10. Discussion of Utah Back Country Pilots Association Request - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
11. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
12. Updates - Jerry McNeely, San Juan County Liaison

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. Recognition - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
4. Approval of Jared Kropf Property Reassessment - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
5. Approval of Lisbon Valley Mine Property Tax Pay Off Proposal - Greg Adams, San Juan County Assessor
6. Approval of Grant Application for County Road B127 La Sal Regarding Utah Federal Lands Access Program - Ben Musselman, San Juan County Public Works Director
7. Approval of Road Department Procurement Request for Spreader - Ben Musselman, San Juan County Public Works Director
8. Approval of proposed Manti-La Sal National Forest Plan Revisions - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning
9. Ratify Approval of an Independent Contractor Agreement with Ricky Richardson for IT Repairs - John Fellmeth, San Juan County IT Director
10. Ratify Approval of the annual All Weather Inc. agreement for Aviation Support and Maintenance of Cal Black Memorial Airport - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
11. Ratify Approval of a Google Street View 360 Mapping Agreement - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
12. Ratify Approval of Notice to Residents Regarding Potential Property Tax Changes - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
13. Consideration and Adoption of A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING SAN JUAN COUNTY TO PROVIDE FISCAL AGENT SERVICES FOR THE OLJATO CHAPTER DROUGHT ASSISTANCE GRANT
14. Consideration and Adoption of A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND UPDATING THE REMAINING REGULARLY SCHEDULED COUNTY MEETINGS AND MEETING LOCATIONS FOR THE 2019 ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE PURSUANT TO SECTION 52-4-202 OF THE UTAH CODE.

~~ 

Rustlin' in the Leaves/ Winds of Change Bear Essentials 9/27/2019

Fall The Favorite Season of All

Horsehead in Fall by Karly Halls, Monticello
****

 History of Commission Districts in San Juan County, Utah

By Gail Johnson, former San Juan County Clerk

Serving 9 years 1983-1991 

            Because history gives context and perspective to current situations, the history of commission districting in San Juan County bears repeating. And perhaps I know this history best because of my personal involvement. It is not my intention to fuel anymore contention.  Just give some history.

             San Juan County was the first county in Utah to have district county commission seats.  That was in 1984.  Up until that time, all counties in the state had a 3-member commission, each member elected at-large with two seats being four-year terms and one seat being a two-year term.

            The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a legal action against San Juan County in November 1983, stating that the at-large commission violated the federal Voting Rights Act even though the county was in compliance with state law.  I was county clerk at the time and was a defendant in the action along with county commissioners Calvin Black, Ken Bailey, and Bob Low.  These men have since passed away.  I attended  the meetings with the DOJ attorney as well as participated in the county's efforts to comply.  Contrary to some beliefs, the Navajo Nation was not party to this legal action.  The Tribe did however, participate in the process of establishing the original commission districts.

            Neither the federal judge nor the DOJ determined the boundaries for these commission districts.  It was left to the county to do that with instruction by the DOJ that communities and cultural areas were to be kept intact as much as possible while balancing the populations.  The intent was not to dilute the vote of any group of people and thus diminish their voice in the county.  The DOJ had to give final approval of the commission districts to ensure they were in line with the decree signed by the federal judge. 

            The county held many meetings to get input from  residents -- from Spanish Valley to Navajo Mountain to Aneth.  An informal county-wide opinion survey was taken to get public input.  From February through September of 1984, 13 districting proposals were presented by different organizations and reviewed thoroughly by interested stake holders.  This included UNDC (Utah Navajo Development Council) and the Navajo Nation.  Eventually, issues were resolved and a final plan was agreed upon by the various groups, and it was accepted by the DOJ.  The plan was also approved by county voters in the 1984 November general election.  Of the 20 voting precincts, Navajo Mountain was the only precinct opposed to the plan -- 53 "Yes" and 88 "No".  Commissioners were then elected from districts beginning with the 1986 general election.

            This original districting plan put the western portion of the Utah Navajo reservation with the western and northern portions of the county as Commission District No. 1.  Commission District No. 2 included the Blanding area and White Mesa. Commission District No. 3 included the central and eastern portions of the Utah Navajo reservation.  These three districts kept community and cultural areas intact while evenly distributing the population as much as possible as required by the  DOJ.

            Prior to this 1983 legal action, the DOJ had brought similar actions against neighboring counties in New Mexico and Arizona.  Also, subsequent to this action (May, 1987), Utah law was changed to provide for this new form of county government.  This allowed for San Juan County to be in compliance with state law as well. 

            I remember the commissioners were concerned about the western part of the Navajo reservation (Oljato area & Navajo Mtn.) being in a different commission district than the rest of the reservation.  They discussed it with Willie Greyeyes, then UNDC board chairman.  A UNDC resolution signed by Mr. Greyeyes (Sept. 6, 1984) endorsed the new plan: "...The Board of Directors of the Utah Navajo Development Council, after a thorough review of the alternatives and after hearing extensive input from the local Utah Navajo communities, herewith endorses the redistricting plan previously known as Proposal #8... and The UNDC Board of Directors is convinced that placing the Navajo Mountain and Oljato precincts in District #1 with the northern part of the County will prove to be in the best overall interests of both the county and its Navajo citizens..."  The Oljato Chapter passed a similar resolution on September 22, 1984.

            Proposal #8 placed Cedar Point in District 2 (central district) and White Mesa in District 1 (northern district).  Commission minutes of Sept. 10, 1984 state:  "Willie Greyeyes, Louis Tapaha, and Worthy Glover representing UNDC met with the Commission to present a resolution adopted by UNDC regarding commission districting.  The resolution adopts a proposal for districting which includes Navajo Mountain and Oljato in District #1 and includes Cedar Point in District #2...The Commission felt that the Cedar Point area should be placed in District #1.  Mr. Greyeyes had no objection to putting Cedar Point in District #1.  The Commission also felt that the residents of Navajo Mountain and Oljato should be consulted about this proposal.  Mr. Greyeyes stated that he is confident that Navajo Mountain and Oljato will support this proposal and vote for it.  Mr. Greyeyes stated that he has had contact with the people of Navajo Mountain and they are in favor of this proposal...."

            Two weeks later in commission meeting, a motion was passed modifying Proposal #8: "taking Cedar Point out of District #2 and putting it in District #1 to preserve community interest, and taking White Mesa out of District #1 and putting it in District #2 to preserve community interest. These changes would change the deviation to 7.8% from 4.9%."  Prior to this motion, the minutes state that Ron Faich and Donna Chavez, representing the Navajo Tribe, met with the commission and presented a resolution from the Navajo Tribal Advisory Council requesting the adoption of Proposal #8.  After some discussion, "Mr. Faich and Ms. Chavez stated that the deviation difference would be fine as long as the community interest is not split.  Ms. Chavez further stated that she is ready to recommend the changes ...Also present were Herb Clah and Worthy Glover representing UNDC.  The representatives present stated that the Navajo Tribe and the UNDC are recommending the above changes which will be called modified proposal #8 and are also asking that it be adopted by the Commission and placed on the November election ballot.  The representatives from the Navajo tribe replaced proposal #8 attached to the resolution submitted by the Tribal Advisory Council with modified proposal #8.  The representatives from UNDC also replaced proposal #8 attached to the resolution...with modified proposal #8...The commission stated that they feel that the modified proposal #8 best serves the community interest for each district..."

            This is how and why commission districts began in San Juan County. I was a witness to it.  These historical facts are documented in county records and federal court records.  Under the direction of the DOJ,  the county did everything required to comply with the Voting Rights Act.  There was no political or racial gerrymandering.  If that were the case, then the DOJ and the federal judge were party to it.

            In a letter to me from Herb Clah, UNDC  Executive Director (Oct 5, 1984) he said, "...We appreciate the willingness of the San Juan County Commission to work cooperatively with UNDC and the Navajo Tribe in resolving this issue.  Even though there have been some misunderstandings along the way, we feel that the efforts to communicate and resolve differences have been worthwhile."

            The road to consensus got bumpy quite often, but consensus was achieved.  Strong differences were resolved respectfully and professionally.

            In the October 24, 2011 commission meeting, Commissioners Phil Lyman and Kenneth Maryboy agreed to form a redistricting committee to look at the 2010 census data  to recommend any changes to the commission districts.  Commissioner Bruce Adams was not present.  That committee reported on November 14, 2011.   Two rural areas east of Monticello (Cedar Point and Ucolo) were moved from District 1 to District 2 to put populations back into balance. Thus not disrupting a lot of residents and preserving community interests as had been done previously.  Commissioner Kenneth Maryboy opposed this action preferring a complete redistricting of the county using census blocks rather than voting precincts.

            The Navajo Nation filed suit against San Juan County two months later in January 2012 alleging that the county commission districts were unconstitutional.   

            Again, documents show that the original San Juan County commission districts were created to comply with a federal court order.  These districts were created to give more opportunity to American Indian residents for political participation in county government.  These districts were created with the assistance and endorsement of the Navajo leadership. 

             It is unfortunate that misinformation by some has lead to divisiveness IN this county and misperceptions OF this county.  Historically the average county resident, American Indian and non-American Indian, gets along well with other county residents on a day-to-day person-to-person basis regardless of race or politics.  There isn't perfection, but in general there is respect.  There is cooperation.  There is personal service.  There are friendships.  There are shared grandchildren.  And, there are good people.              Gail Dalton Johnson, Sept. 2019

                                                        

~~ Kudos to the San Juan Record for their newspaper makeover!  More color, better organization, and information and a great new logo!   

List your favorite ten icons in the new county illustration and you will be entered into a drawing for a deluxe San Juan "swag bag", courtesy San Juan County Visitor Services. The drawing will take place on September 27.

~~ B. Keshlear's Analysis of Past and Present County Voting District Alignments

"Most conspicuously, Podmore’s brand of journalism seems ideologically driven. He has fearlessly targeted a conservative elected official who no longer holds county-level office and his dodgy decisions while in office but soft-pedaled coverage of incendiary remarks of liberal politicians. He has spread misinformation. "

EXCERPTS in article:  "(Many of the people attending the meeting, including Mark Maryboy, spoke Navajo. The organizer of the event and president of the chapter, Kenneth Maryboy, did not provide translation services for non-Navajo speakers in attendance even though discussions of county policy took center stage. Bold-face type indicates Maryboy's comments):"

~~ Lodging in Moab has Stirred up a Hornet's Nest  SL Tribune

Writers of the Purple Sage

~~ Reporters Must Dig Deeper for Full Facts When It Comes to San Juan

~~ Henderson Attends GRAMA HEARING

 ( Segment starts at: 2:35:30)

~~Popularity of Outdoor Motorized Recreation Increasing 

by Kelly Green 

      Recreation in the outdoors can be costly depending on what type of choice is of interest.  For those who like motorized travel as their activity, a new four wheel drive such as a Jeep Rubicon or Toyota 4Runner can start for as much as $40,000 to $60,000 and higher depending on added trail accessories. These vehicles can take you into some amazing places that most will never get to enjoy and see on Utah’s public land.  Every year during Moab’s Jeep Safari extravaganza, which happens around Easter weekend and lasts for around nine days, enthusiasts come from all over the country to challenge the trails in Southeastern Utah’s red rock country. Many auto companies and entrepreneurs come in to show off their wares for both advertising and sales. Tires, rims, winches, jacks, suspension kits, and many other interesting items are displayed for those who enjoy this kind of recreational activity and want to outfit their vehicles with something really special to enhance their rigs. Some users modify machines to turn them into beastly Rock Crawlers that can conquer just about any obstacle while others may be looking for a less extreme ride for a family outing and only want a few items.   Again depending on the type of accessory added, there is just about something for everyone. Mallory is famously quoted as having replied to the question, "Why did you want to climb Mount Everest?" with the retort "Because it's there,” that same desire for back country explorers could be included as people want to get out and see the public lands and with the miles and miles of trails and roads available, it is no wonder that the motorized outdoor recreational sport has grown. 

                              

2019 San Juan Safari

UTV and ATV’s

      The popularity in UTV and ATV use has grown in recent years because of the significant fact that they are cheaper and more affordable than larger vehicles. Improved engineering and reliability in the competitive market is proving that they are the poor man's best option to recreate in forest and desert terrain, which is one of the main reasons for its growing popularity.  A variety of accessories are also available and depending on how you want to dress it up for individual taste, a lot of different options are possible. Most UTV’s can hold two to six people depending on which machine is chosen and avid riders claim the ride in a UTV is much more comfortable than the bigger rigs. No matter what you choose there is something out there for just about everyone.  

     Since Moab and Southeastern Utah, is a proclaimed paradise for all sorts of outdoor activities, the Rally on the Rocks event is another popular destination spot for UTV riders. This annual event takes place on the famous Slickrock domes and nearby trails and is really gaining in popularity with the UTV crowd.   The event offers guided rides throughout the week and going with those who know the country and local history of the surrounding area is a real treat for those who want to get to know the area better. Famous trails like Hell’s Revenge, Poison Spider, Steel Bender, and many more attractions are a great way to see what is out there to test ones driving skill. The Rally on the Rocks organizers also are great contributors in helping to give back to the community as they have graciously given donations to various charities, which help improve the lives of people in Grand County. 

 Being Responsible Riders

     With the increase in popularity and more outside people coming into the area, the impact on the environment is a concern and the local people have started campaigns to educate about proper etiquette and responsible driving on local streets and highways as well as taking care of the surrounding desert landscape.   Most riders are conscientious about obeying speed limits and picking up their own trash but there are always a few who don’t, which give other law abiding recreationists a bad name. It first started with the “Throttle Down in Town” campaign, which was evaluated as being highly successful and this years educational theme is, “Do it Like a Local.”  Those who have lived in the Moab area for a long time offer suggestions for being safe and taking care of the public lands so everyone can have an enjoyable time while visiting. The terrain and hot temperatures can be treacherous and inexperienced drivers can quickly get into trouble if they are not careful and prepared. Extreme temperatures can quickly lead to heat exhaustion and drinking the proper amount of water needed is always stressed.  Slowing down in town and showing courtesy to everyone goes a long way to having an enjoyable experience for everyone.  

Street Legal UTV owners want fair and equal treatment 

Utah’s National Parks are accessed by state highways and county roads and millions of dollars are being spent by Utah taxpayers to  fund construction and maintenance of these roads. The Utah Legislature has been a leader in allowing certain types of OHVs to be registered as street-legal because they recognize the growing recreational popularity and economic benefits to the state and local communities.  To qualify, machines need to be modified to meet safety standards and must be insured. Owners of street-legal OHVs comply with numerous laws and regulations to be given the privilege to drive on a wide range of state and county roads and like all motorized users, they contribute to the maintenance of the state highway system through gasoline taxes and registration fees as well as paying for off road stickers for the development of infrastructure, trail maintenance, and other public land use projects.  

     Recently members of UTV Utah, have led the fight to open street-legal access to Utah’s roads and highways by sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior  Bernhardt, to ask for his help in getting the National Park Service to lift the prohibition of street-legal OHVs on the publicly accessible roads of Utah’s National Parks.  Even though National Park regulations say they should update their rules to comply with state law, the National Park Service has not at this point in time done so and it is felt by many UTV riders that it unfairly discriminates and it is time to change the policy. 

                 

Education and Responsible Use is Key

     

Because America’s public land has such a variety of  choices for the general public to enjoy, learning how to properly take care of the resource is going to be an ongoing challenge for those tasked with its longevity. For motorized recreationists education is key to preserving continued access on the public land.  Public agencies and private citizens need to continue to work together so the great gift of multiple use remains available to all who want to enjoy the outdoors. By educating the public and motorized recreational users about how they can be good stewards, everyone wins.

Kelly Mike Green  is a lifelong resident of southeastern Utah. Poet, author, grandfather, and outdoorsman, Kelly is a strong advocate for multiple use on public lands and is active in promoting a responsible and balanced approach for public land use.

~~ 2014  Doug Booth/ San Juan Safari  Video

~~ One Way Rural Towns Lose Local Businesses

 

PHD and ATV Enthusiast Supports No Monument Position.

By Rainer Huck,  Ph.D.

I have lived in Utah since 1949 and have been a public lands access-for-all activist since 1987.   I was president of the Utah Trail Machine Association for 10 years and founder and president of the Utah Shared Access Alliance for 7 years.   Since 1990, I have traveled approximately 10,000 miles of back country roads and trails each year, giving me an unmatched   personal insight into just what is at stake due to the special interest land management practices that have devastated public land access for the vast majority of our people.

Access to and use of Utah Public lands has been under attack since the formation of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance in 1985.   This greatly intensified in 1994 with the passage of the California Desert Closure Act which created over 8 million acres of Wilderness in formerly multiple use BLM lands.   This allowed the Sierra Club to focus its effort outside California, specifically Utah, where they pumped up SUWA with millions of 501(c)3 tax free dollars.    With this new found wealth, SUWA was able to squeeze out all competing “environmental” groups and gain dominance in the business of converting multiple use public lands into single use Wilderness.

Because I have been an advocate for motor assisted access to our public lands, I will confine my comments to just this aspect of the current review process. The Bears Ears National Monument is just the latest example of the relentless drive by the political environmentalists to eliminate people who either require or desire to use motor transport for access from the public lands.    

In this enterprise their success has been nothing short of prodigious.    In 1985 over 95% of Utah’s BLM lands were available for travel by motor vehicle.  Now, over 95% is closed to such use.   This has occurred because the political environmentalists (SUWA, Sierra Club, and others) have taken complete control of the land management agencies and the courts.   They are aided in this endeavor by so called main stream media which will always supports their unsubstantiated claims of damage caused by vehicle users as a pretext for closure  and they never acknowledge competing views or offer balanced coverage.  Many of their stories are shameless propaganda.

The political environmentalists acting through the Agencies and the Courts have created endless means of restricting travel on public lands with the primary purpose of preparing these lands for future Wilderness designation. They demand this, the most restrictive of all possible options, because it is irreversible and removes the land from any future discussion or changes in management. Once land is so designated, only an Act of Congress signed by the President can restore multiple use.  Thus, Wilderness designation is analogous to a cosmic black hole:    Whatever enters can never escape.   

Many Utah politicians, including the majority of the Congressional Delegation, have recognized the harm Wilderness will bring to Utah’s economic future and have mostly resisted the demands of the political environmentalists.   As a result, they have resorted to a number of other methods to circumvent the will of the people of Utah to determine the management of their public lands.  The illicit designation of national monuments under the pretext of the Antiquities Act is just one of these.   

SUWA was the driving force behind the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument designated by President Bill Clinton in 1996 to stop the Kaiparowits coal mine which would have provided vast amounts of low Sulphur coal at a low cost and revitalized the economy in Kane County. Because they have failed in their efforts to gain additional Wilderness designations, they have resorted to an end-run around Congress by persuading an agenda driven President Obama to do their work.They like national monuments because they always upgrade to national parks eventually which are almost as good as Wilderness in their eyes.

While the esoteric values of Wilderness and National Monuments reside mostly in the realms of philosophy or religion, one outcome of their designation directly and negatively impacts legally protected populations:  The elderly, the disabled, and the mobility impaired.  In this way, this kind of public land management violates numerous constitutional and statuary protections.

The primary impact of these designations is the elimination or vast reduction of access through motor powered vehicles. This means that all persons who lack the strength, stamina, or health to hike or walk for long distances, often under difficult conditions, are effectively BANNED from these formerly public lands.        

It is interesting to note that under the Americans with Disabilities Act, our government has forced the expenditure of Hundreds of billions of dollars by private property owners to insure access to all persons. Yet, this same government has spent billions of dollars to actively deny access to our most vulnerable populations to public lands.   

The Bears Ears National Monument is just the most recent example of this process of removing the public lands from the public and gifting them to the political environmentalists. There is no “damage” being done to this land (if that where even possible) and no purpose is being served other than the creation of a new and expensive bureaucracy.  

I would ask that you recommend the complete rescission of not only the Bears Ears National Monument, but also the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.   These BLM lands should be managed according to the congressional mandate of Multiple Use and not be set aside as a private playground of the elite environmentalists.    

Many thanks for your consideration,

Dr. Rainer Huck

1680 E. Atkin Ave.

Salt Lake City, Utah  84105

Ph.   801 467 3795