January Chill Brings Changes, Chagrin, and Citizen Action

News in the West

~~ Bluff Balloon Festival | Jan. 17 - 19 starting at 7:00 AM

Learn more about this Gov. Candidate by attending this meeting

~~ Ut. Gubernatorial Candidates Debate

~~ Diné turning Hogans into Cash on Airbnb

      (Be sure to read the comments after the article.  Many Dine' have concerns about this; similar to the concerns about tourists tramping all over "sacred" lands in Bears Ears landscapes.)

~~ Is Renewable Energy Viable or Dammed?  High Country News

Utah's Unpopular Tax Bill Facing Possibility of Referendum vote: 
Have you signed?   14 counties have secured with enough signatures, but the combined effort must reach  116,000 signatures statewide.  To Sign: contact Logan Monson in Blanding, Kim Henderson in Monticello, Kelly and Cricket Green in La Sal, and Cassie Patterson in Moab.

~~ Mojave County Fights BLM Jeep Trail Closures   "The BLM Works for Us!"

~~ America a Nation of Builders; Pres. Trump Hopes to Speed up the Process

~~ Here's to a "Meatless" Golden Globe Awards Event by Matt Goble of Dry Bottom Farms in Utah

~~ BLM's Move West Based on Common Sense

~~ Businesses in Cedar City Help Referendum Push  -- Go and do likewise!

~~ Protesters in Virginia Stop Gun Confiscation Legislation

~~ Video Explains the Seriousness of Virginia's Infractions Against Constitutional Rights of Citizens

~~ Vegan or Beef?  What are the Facts? 

~~ Salt Lake Trib. via Zac Podmore Attacks Sutherland Institute The lack of balance in Podmore's reporting results in lopsided news, i.e. fake news. No listing included in the article of " Non-profits" and foundations who dump tens of thousands into support FOR Bears Ears enlarged. One such donor is the Wyss Foundation: 

Canyon Zephyr editor, Jim Stiles noted: "I've been perusing Guidestar this afternoon, looking at non-profits like the "Conservation Lands Foundation," whose chair is Mr Wyss...CLF gave $130,000 to Utah Dine' Bikeyah in 2018. And another $100,000 to Friends of Cedar Mesa. Mr.Podmore surely knows this because until recently his wife was assistant director of FCM. Cold scrutiny of groups like Sutherland is fair and necessary. But The Tribune KNOWS what resides on the other side of the coin, and so surely does Podmore. And they say nothing. Yet Podmore wasn't always like this. In an email to me three years ago, Podmore wrote, ""You make the best case against alliances between conservationists and the recreation industry that I've heard in a while. I agree with you. Silence about the destructive nature of industrial tourism is poisoning greater conservation movement, and like you've written time and again, it often threatens wild places more than extractive industry." I agree. "Silence is poisoning the greater environmental movement."

~~ Bad Forest management, Cause of California Fires

~~ Native Tribes Impacted Negatively Because of Kayenta Coal Mine Closure

~~  The Temper Tantrum that Never Ends: Environmentalists Using Tribes 

~~ Natural Resources Chair, Grijalva Opposes BLM Move to Colorado -- "because it's Racist" 

~~ The Irony of Wind Turbine Blades;  They take forever to Disintegrate

~~ Pork IndustryTakes Issue with Impossible Sausage Labeling

~~ Who Cares About Protecting US Citizens! Trump's Border Wall Compromises Fish!    More Non-human Rights Protection: High Country News

~~ Borden Dairy Co, Files for Bankruptcy.  "Borden Dairy Co., which was founded in 1857, announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware. This comes not long after Dean Foods announced it was filing for bankruptcy in November.. . ."

Seasons and Times are a Changin'/ Bear Essentials 9/12/2019

Happenings in the West
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SJC Transparency in action

Recording of 9/4 SJC Commission work meeting

Recording of 9/4/ SJC Commission Meeting

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Agenda for Sept 17 Commission Meeting at bottom of page (in Monticello)

~~ Spanish Valley Residents Push Back on Commercial Development

~~Freedom of Information Act Search-- Requires Patience and Longevity

Kudos to Jim Stiles and Bill Keshlear for their tenacious digging!

~~ Six Candidates Move On in Moab City Council Race

~~ Utah Launches Optional Gun Safety Program in Schools

~~ Trust and Training Range Land Exchange in SW Utah 

 Counting the Costs

~~ Proponents investigate Splitting the State of Washington  

Some believe "splitting Washington would be a win-win scenario for rural conservatives who live east of the Cascade Range and urban liberals who live in western Washington."

~~ BLM Purchases Private Land to Better Protect Desert Tortoise

~~ Climate Change A Power Grabbing Scam  Free Range Report

~~ Counties Demanding Federal Land Reimbursement 

~~ Judge Rejects SUWA's Involvement in Kane County Public Lands Case

San Juan Record: 

      "This landmark case will move forward, but with a significantly limited role for SUWA after Waddoups wrote, “SUWA has no legal right to be in this case.”

“It was clear SUWA had the intent to take a lead role in this litigation – a lead to which it had no right to take,” Waddoups writes. “A lead that could well harm the actual parties who do have a right to be before the court.”
       The judge stated that SUWA filed actions that delayed progress on the case. In fact, it was SUWA’s role in delaying the case that may have triggered Judge Waddoup’s ire. The judge writes of one particular instance, “For over two years, Plaintiffs’s time and resources were taxed as they addressed SUWA’s defense before the Utah Supreme Court on an argument that ultimately was struck down as absurd.”

~~ All Things NAC -Confronts Maryboy's Fake History Concerning Bears Ears 

~~ Blanding City Council Takes Official Stance on Civility in Meetings

~~ Science Should Take Precedence Over Political Agendas

~~ Separate Town Hall Meetings Address Simmering Controversies

~~ BLM Renovating/ Upgrading Virgin River Recreation Area

~~ $4 Million in Drugs Seized on New Mexico Reservation

~~ Grand Staircase Plan Developing In Spite of LItigation

~~ NTEC Purchases 3 Coal Mines in Wyoming

~~ How Tribal Sovereignty Really Works,  by Jack Ahasteen

"How Tribal funding REALLY WORKS...

As President Jonathan Nez stated before the US Congressional Committee on Appropriations which regulates expenditures of money by the government of the United States,
"....the Navajo Nation seeks to strengthen the sacred trust relationship and Assist the Navajo Nation in furtherance of self-sufficiency and tribal sovereignty...."

Sovereignty?....funded by the American tax payer??? How is that possible when the annual tribal budget is completely dependent on the US taxpayer?"

~~ Liberal Activists Work to Change the Color of Conservative States

"Outside groups are organizing an army of liberal activists around the country to campaign for local races in states where they don't live. Organizers said the spending is strategic, honing in on states and specific seats where they can have the most significant effect. The top targets include Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina."

"To Coloradans, the strategy looks familiar. Republicans almost entirely controlled the state power structure until 2004. That's when a group of four wealthy Colorado Democrats — Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges, Jared Polis, and Pat Stryker — teamed up with political strategist Al Yates on a plan to transform the local politics. According to a 2008 article by the Washington Examiner's Fred Barnes, the group targeted vulnerable Republican incumbents, creating pop-up activist groups drawing on support from labor unions and national liberal organizations. The project was a success. That cycle, Democrats won control of both chambers of the general assembly for the first time in over four decades. Two years later, they upped their spending and won the governor's office. The total tab for securing state control was reported to be $9.5 million, which was less than the average expenditure on a successful U.S. Senate campaign, but an enormous amount for state elections."

~~ Johnny Depp's Dior "Sauvage" Ad Draws Ire of Native Tribes

~~ Utah Dineh Bikeyah Intent on Playing the Racial Card

"“Anglo residents in San Juan County have learned that when dealing with conflict-avoiding cultures like the Ute or Diné peoples, who live according to principles of reciprocity, that aggressive, intimidating, loud and bullying behaviors work,” Benally said. “In most other border towns, Native Americans are treated respectfully, but in Blanding we are treated like outsiders.”

~~ Biased Reporting Stifles Truth in San Juan County

~~ House of Representatives Working to Cripple America's Oil Supply

~~ Couple Writes Graffiti in Tribal Area, then Posts on Instagram

~~ Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Faces Growing Suicide Rate for Youth

~~ Ribbon Cutting in Cameron, Snubs Some Groups

~~ Two Serious Accidents on Moab's Main Street

~~ Zions Overcrowded for Labor Day Weekend

#####
Sept. 17 Commission Meeting agenda 117 South Main Street, Monticello

9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Follow up discussion with Library Director regarding a possible property tax increase for the library fund - Pat Smith, Library Director
2. Discuss McElmo Creek Bridge repair agreement with NDOT - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
3. Review amendment to Road Agreement with USFS for emergency road repairs - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
4. Review an application for San Juan County Planning & Zoning Commission - Walter Bird, SJC Planning & Zoning
5. Discuss Planning Issues in the Spanish Valley Area - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
6. Discuss Maintenance / Building Issues - Monty Perkins, SJC Maintenance
7. Discuss comments to be sent to various federal agencies regarding the designation of a part of the west-side regional energy corridor through San Juan County - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
8. Updates - Jerry McNeely
9. 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. A RESOLUTION POSTPONING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF WATER REVENUE AND REFUNDING BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND NOTICE OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED.
4. Approve Comments to be sent to various federal agencies regarding the designation of a part of the west-wide regional energy corridor through San Juan County - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
5. Ratify amendment to road agreement with USFS for emergency Road Repairs - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
6. Approve McElmo Creek Bridge repair agreement with NDOT -  Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
7. Approve Planning & Zoning Commission Member - Walter Bird, Planning & Zoning
8. Out of State Travel request - Linda Simmons, SJC EMS Director
9. Approve Board of Equalization Recommendations - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk & Greg Adams, SJC Assessor
10. Beer License Renewal - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
11. Commission Reports
12. Executive Session to Discuss Pending or Imminent Litigation

Don't Bury Your Head in the Snow! March 11, 2019

What's New in the West

Photo by Marci Bothwell -- San Juan Record

Bluff Town Hall Meeting with John Curtis March 21

Congress Passes Massive Lands Bill, Utah will be Affected

"The program uses private offshore oil and gas revenues to pay for conservation of federal lands for outdoor recreation and provide grants for state and local governments to create green space and provide access to natural resources."   ...and where in Utah???  "an area in Utah where a high density of Jurassic-era bones are located."

Finanances, History, and Questions Related to San Juan County Commission

"Will the policies of the new pro-Bears Ears county commission begin to align — to varying degrees — with the goals of a grand alliance whose members include the foundation established by multibillionaire Hansjorg Wyss ($2.2 billion), Utah Diné Bikéyah, Round River Conservation Studies, Friends of Cedar Mesa, the Conservation Lands Foundation, the Grand Canyon Trust, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Earth Justice, The Wilderness Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, Packard Foundation ($7 billion), William and Flora Hewlett Foundation ($9.8 billion), Wilburforce Foundation ($115 million), Pew Charitable Trusts, Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation and some of the nation’s most prominent and politically aggressive outdoor recreation companies?"

Who's to win the Battle for Water: California Fish or Farmers?

Update on Bill to be able to Divide Counties, Sponsor Kim Coleman

How to File A GRAMA Request  

"The Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) provides every person the right to request records from any governmental entity in Utah (Utah Code Section 63G-2-201(1)."

__________

 63G-1-201. Official State Language:

(1) English is declared to be the official language of Utah.
(2) As the official language of this State, the English language is the sole language of the government, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), all official documents, transactions, proceedings, meetings, or publications issued, conducted, or regulated by, on behalf of, or representing the state and its political subdivisions shall be in English."

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Needs to be Carefully Studied  

-- by Stacy Young, Canyon Zephyr

Canyon Echo: Updates from Bluff and Beyond

Bill Keshlear: Observations on Future of San Juan Commission

Part Three: -- "TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, the relationship between the Navajo Nation and San Juan County will determine the success of the new Navajo-majority commission.Many Navajos in San Juan County probably feel like they’ve been abandoned by their tribal leaders in Window Rock, Ariz. It was a concern Maryboy testified to during a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in 2009.

Maryboy was a delegate to the Navajo Nation Council — the tribe’s legislative body — a San Juan County commissioner and officer of Utah Diné Corporation at the time. He wanted the Utah Navajo Trust Fund, which was set up by Congress in 1933 so Utah Navajos would benefit from Aneth oil and gas royalties, to be administered by Utah Diné Corporation instead of the Navajo Nation and the state of Utah. He believed that given the Navajo Nation’s history of “neglect, unaccountability and malfeasance,” it lacked the capacity to administer the fund.

“San Juan County believes that the Navajo Nation government, which is located in Window Rock, Arizona, and provides few if any government services to Utah Navajos, does not have the best interest of Utah Navajos at heart when it asserts a vague argument of tribal sovereignty to wrestle away control of the Utah Navajo Trust Fund from Utah Navajos."

"The Navajo Nationʼs heretofore disinterest in its own members who reside within the Utah strip of the Navajo Nation is the very reason why San Juan County has stepped up to the plate to deliver essential government services to Utah Navajos. San Juan County has provided law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, senior services, road maintenance, telecommunication and water services to the seven Utah Navajo chapters because the tribe in Window Rock does not.”

Part Four: Discusses Kenneth Maryboy's Involvement in questionable Tribal Government Activities

~~Truth Exposed: Federal Government Lied about who Owns Recapture Road

~~ House Bill 179 Passes; Would Protect County Roads from Illegal Closure

"This bill calls for a Class C Misdemeanor for illegally obstructing a road on public land."

~~ Follow Representative Phil Lyman on Facebook

~~Oil and Gas Leases help Fund County CIB Projects 

~~ Navajo Tribe Lauds Utah for Keeping Navajo Families in tact

~~ San Juan Moves Out of Severe Drought!

~~ Montezuma County Declared "Gun Sanctuary" by Commissioners

~~ Princeton Professor Questioned on Climate Change Position

~~ The Utah Strip before Paved Roads: interview by Phil Hall with Ray Hunt

   "Mineral extraction has been a way of life since the first white men arrived on the Utah Strip, and it was mineral extraction which brought roads into previously roadless areas, electricity to dark places, jobs to people who wanted them. Gold, silver, copper, oil, gas, uranium, and gravel have all been mined here. These various boom and bust cycles have brought men to San Juan County who wanted to make their living while they could, for making a living in this poor country has always been, for most, a difficult thing to do. Some of those men stayed and raised families, and continue to live here today."

~~ Bluff Wants to Shut Down Oil and Gas Leases, yet Benefits from CIB Funds

"A midden of environmental activism, Bluff is undergoing a fundamental transformation with new hotels and restaurants springing up, hoping to get fat off the tourist industry. Friends of Cedar Mesa has been at the forefront of lobbying for increased tourist opportunities in southeastern Utah, most notably, the recent push to reestablish and expand the now-defunct Bears Ears National Monument. Tourism has become yet another rationale for locking up federally-controlled lands with new wilderness area, national monuments, and other restrictive designations.

Corporate environmentalism and industrial tourism go hand in hand, and in Bluff, the same enviros who embrace the anti-fossil fuel policies of the extreme left, are enjoying a financial boon from the very industry they are trying to destroy."

Expansion of Bears Ears Predicts Negative Effects for Native People

Commission Votes to Expand Bears Ears Monument

"In addition to increasing the size of the monument, the Bears Ears Expansion and Respect for Sovereignty Act would, according to Haaland’s office, “restore tribal consultation by requiring federal land managers to use tribal expertise to manage the monument’s lands and protect over 100,000 archaeological and cultural sites in the area.”

New SJ Commissioners Steamroll County With Ghost Writer Resolutions

Sierra Club/ Canyon Echo, Winter Issue

~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: June 22, 2018~~

v Article by Amy Joi O’Donoghue  :  Land management vs. law enforcement. Senator Mike Lee: “It is incumbent on this subcommittee to ask whether combining resource management and criminal law enforcement has resulted in a profound disservice to both,” Lee said. “We need to get back to managing federal lands as opposed to terrorizing the communities that surround them,” he said Monday.  [Shake, Rattle, and Troll]

v National Geographic Article: What Shrinking of National Monuments Means

v Scott Pruitt, His Vision for the EPA

v Historic Election next week in Bluff

v Glenn Beck: D-Day, Boy Scouts, Chris Herrod & 2^nd Amendment

v 50 Mllion $ Contract from Bureau of Reclamation to Local Archaeology Co.

v Three Californias On Ballot:  Op-ed in Los Angeles Times

n  Phil Lyman Interview by Bryan Hyde: Freedom vs. Militarized BLM

n  Related article: BLM Attack at Dr. Redd’s Home

n  Media Round Up of Articles Related to Artifact Sting in Blanding

n  Arizona Humane Society Fails to Qualify Wildlife Ballot Initiative

n  John Herrod Runs as Conservative Candidate for Congress

n  Senator Mike Lee Addresses Illegal Imprisonment

n  Public Lands a Political Test: The Malheur Wildlife Confrontation

n  Willie Greyeyes Files Lawsuit Against San Juan County

n  Fox News: Greyeyes Lawsuit

n  Bluff Dilemma:  When a Guppy Swallows a Whale

n  The Dilemma of Increased Tourism: Zions Park Controversy

n  Colorado River Reservoirs Headed to Historic Low

n  Foreign Influence of Environmental Groups Erodes Military Readiness

n  Accidental Burns vs. Controlled Burns? Which Causes More Damage?

n  Dolores Fire: It’s gong to take a lot of Rain to put it out

n  Too Many In Southern Utah Deny Climate Change Effects

n  How Liberal Wackiness Wrecks Local Government

n  Convicted Felons Hired to Promote Renewable Energy Initiative in Az.

n  BLM Officer Shoots Nurse Riding off-road in Side by Side  

http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/

                     Documenting Bears Ears “No Monument” efforts since July 2016