December 2020, Wrap up and Reminders

   Due to an ongoing family crisis, today's blog post will be basically links to help you stay  informed.  May the new year bring all of you new hope, love, and health.  JW

                                    ~~~~~~~~~~

 

Post from Representative Phil Lyman Dec. 22, 2020

~~  Today is an important day for my family and me, and for rural Utah. To say the last 5 years were difficult would be an understatement. My family has been my salvation in the darkest moments. My wife, Jody, is my partner and friend. I am blessed, and grateful beyond words for her support and for her resolve to always, always, always do the right thing regardless of the consequences. My adult kids are people of capacity who live by their convictions as well.

The false narratives of the media have been so damaging, not only to me but to the truth. Our protest here in San Juan County was not about a road or about ATV rights. We protested a federal agency that wrongly and maliciously raided our community. Had the administration, at the time, done what they should have in 2009, it would have prevented a massive waste of taxpayer dollars and the devastation of the lives of the honest people who were targeted by dishonest people.

I am deeply grateful to President Donald Trump. Today he righted a wrong. People should not fear prosecution when they have done nothing illegal and I hope that my experience brings attention to the persistent federal attacks on rural Utah by the Bureau of Land Management, the US Attorneys, activist federal judges, and career politicians who choose to sit quietly when the moment calls for them to stand.

My friend Monte Wells was with me on the day of the protest, along with 700 of our closest friends. Monte was falsely charged and convicted in a kangaroo court but had the integrity to forego asking for a pardon when no offense had occurred. He has my utmost respect and deserves more than a pardon; he deserves respect from every person who understands what it means to stand up for truth.

My most sincere thanks goes also to Senator Mike Lee , former Congressman Jason Chaffetz, State Senator Dan McCay, former State Representative Mike Noel, my friend and advocate Jerold Perkins, and to Commissioners Darin Bushman, Leland Pollack, Mark Whitney, and the rest of The Posse, and to so many others for always being on my side.

I will say more soon, but for now, I am truly grateful.

Thank you, President Trump, for reminding us what it means to lead.

Phil Lyman

~~ Deseret News Coverage of Representative Lyman's Presidential Pardon

~~ San Juan Record Coverage of Presidential Pardon 12/22

~~ Salt Lake Tribune Coverage of Lyman's Presidential pardon 12/22

~~The Monolith Hypocrisy and Legal Exemption by Monte Wells

Copies of 3 issues of Blue Mt. Shadows related to the uranium industry in San Juan County are still available in print.  

 These and other older issues are available at Gone Thriftin  (Blanding 708 S. Main) or The San Juan Record (Monticello.) Newer issues sold at Clarks Market, San Juan Pharmacy, --or contact.  Blue Mountain Shadows

~~  Energy Fuels Plans to Process Monazite Sands by David Boyle

~~ Creation of new national uranium reserve could mean jobs in Utah, but is the environmental cost too high? by Zac Podmore

~~ ABOUT THAT DRILLING NEAR LABYRINTH CANYON by Bill Keshlear

    "Given what I'd call "Leave No Trace" rules that mandate reclamation during and after construction and drilling, there’s no reason to believe the project will have much of a long-term impact on “opportunities for solitude primitive and unconfined recreation,” wildlife habitat, scenic views or really anything else. However, as the EA points out, the so-called improved county access roads will be better able to handle big-rig traffic required for drilling operations, while allowing easier access to relatively popular back-country trails by visitors driving run-of-the-mill passenger vehicles. "

~~ SJ County NewsThat Clicked in 2020 : San Juan Record

~~ The Plot to Steal America

~~ Bluff seeks to protect geoglyph near west-side gravel site

~~ New BLM Field Manager in Monticello

~~ John Curtis: Covid 19 Bill needs to Aid those Most Vulnerable and Small Businesses

~~Local Residents (Pete Sands) Recognized by Time Magazine 2020

~~ For History Buffs:  A Trip Back in Time to Kayenta by Harvey Leake   The Canyon Zephyr

     

Letter to New BLM State Director, Roberson

Dear State Director, Roberson, 

 Welcome to Utah, and all the sticky issues you'll be dealing with.  You must be a man of grit to accept this State position, but I hope you are also a man of wisdom.

I am not a true “local” of San Juan County, having only lived here 45 years. But I have a great passion and love for all things historical, cultural, and environmental in our county. 

I taught English and Journalism at San Juan High school 1984-1999, and on Utah's Electronic High school for seven additional years.  During that time, I and two others started a regional historical magazine in 1984.  Blue Mountain Shadows has published two issues a year since then, plus sponsored, cultural events, folk festivals, and historical forums. We have published 54 issues.  Several of those issues have been cooperative efforts between the BLM and San Juan County Historical Commission.  If you are interested in receiving copies, please let me know and I will send you some related to the issues you fell heir to.  I think they would give you a broader perspective of the people: Ute, Anglo, Navajo, and Hispanics, as well as what comprises their culture and the land we all love.  

The divisive issue of Bears Ears has given many outside of our county a false perception of what San Juan County is like. We love our public lands, but find further restrictions brought on by a National Monument excessive, and even detrimental to keeping this pristine land healthy; based upon Grand Staircase Escalante, do we not see any economic benefits either.  I do agree that we need additional BLM rangers on the Cedar Mesa area, and had the Federal Gov. not been $20 Trillion in debt, maybe that would have happened before now!  Had we not been the target of militant Dan Love-type BLM militia raids, and falsehoods told to our county commissioners by the BLM, we would still be on somewhat good terms with this agency.  We also resent the excessive money spent by wealthy environmental groups and foundations who lobby against SJC, the poorest county in the state. Those are some of my concerns.

​Thank you for your time, and let me know about the magazines.  The State BLM office may have the three Cottonwood Reclamation magazines already. ​But there are others that would be central to the controversies you have inherited. 

My blog: http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/ contains what has happened since July, when I got involved in this political issue. 

Sincerely,

Janet Wilcox