Pehrson Clears Name; Meetings, Roads, Windmills, and Wildlife/ Nov. 15, 2019

Meditations to Start the Day

Thanks, Anna Tom

Thank You, Readers!  Beyond the Bears -- October 2019 had the Highest Readership in a single month since inception -- 1637 site contacts

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Citizens Invited to Attend

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 State Representative Lyman Sues U.S. for $10M over Trespassing Conviction

Satire from the Navajo Times:  Jack Ahasteen is a great cartoonist

An Important message

~~ BLM Oil Leasing Facing Protests in Mesquite area

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~~ November 19 San Juan Commission Meeting

        SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA
November 19, 2019

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Spanish Valley Planning Ordinances - Mark Vlasic, Landmark Design 
2. County Seat Presentation - Chad Booth
3. Bluff Town Updates - Bluff Town Council
4. County Predation Management Plan Contract - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
5. Public Works Purchase of Bottom Dump Trailer - Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
6. Public Works Purchase of Fruehauf 8400 Gallon Trailer, Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
7. Spanish Valley Updates - Jerry McNeely, San Juan County Liaison
8. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, San Juan County Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - November 5, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Public Hearing to consider the following draft ordinances
a. Spanish Valley Residential (SVR) District
b. Spanish Valley Planned Community (PC) District
c. Spanish Valley Residential Flex Planned Community (RF) District
d. Spanish Valley Business Flex Planned Community (BF) District
e. Spanish Valley Highway Flex Planned Community (HF) District
f. Spanish Valley Highway Commercial (HC) District
g. Spanish Valley Water Efficient Landscape Requirements
h. Spanish Valley Outdoor Lighting and Sign Illumination Requirements
i. Spanish Valley Sign and Display Requirements
j. Spanish Valley Overnight Accommodations Overlay District Requirements
k. Amendment of Chapter 11: Multiple Use, Agricultural, Rural Residential Districts Adoption, specifically Subsection 11-3 of the San Juan County, Utah Zoning Ordinance (2011) to amend the minimum lot sizes in those districts from one-acre to as small as one-quarter acre as compatible with state regulations on water and sewer sources and lot sizes.
l.  Adoption of a new Section 4 of Article II. Planning Requirements for All Zones in San Juan County in the San Juan County Subdivision Ordinance (2016) to create a minor subdivision ordinance permitting developments up to four lots to be exempt from the platting requirements of the subdivision ordinance.
4. Planning and Zoning Ordinances consideration for Approval
a. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE SPANISH VALLEY DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCES AND MAP AMENDING THE SAN JUAN COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE
b. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 11; MULTIPLE USE, AGRICULTURAL, RURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS ADOPTION, SPECIFICALLY SUBSECTION 11-3 OF THE SAN JUAN COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE (2011)
c. AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 4 OF ARTICLE II. PLATTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ZONES IN SAN JUAN COUNTY IN THE SAN JUAN COUNTY SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE (2016) CREATING A MINOR SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE 
5. Ratification and approval of  Capital Improvements to the Public Safety Building - Monte Perkins, San Juan County Maintenance Director
6. Consideration of the following Subdivisions for Approval - Scott Burton, San Juan County Planning & Zoning
a. Hummingbird Nest
b. La Sal Acres Amendment No. 1
c. Cannon Ranchos Amendment No. 3
d. Flat Iron Mesa Ranch, Phase XXIV
7. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Landfill Loaders - Randy Rarick, San Juan County Landfill
8. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Landfill Custom Scaling System - Randy Rarick, San Juan County Landfill
9. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Public Works Bottom Dump Trailer - Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
10. Ratification and Approval of the Purchase of Public Works Fruehauf 8400 Gallon Trailer - Clark Hawkins, San Juan County Road Department
11. Approval and Execution of the San Juan School District Quality Teaching Incentive Program Resolution - Kyle Hosler, San Juan School District
12. County Predation Management Plan Contract - Mack McDonald, San Juan County Administrator
13. Election Canvas for Approval - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
14. Tax Abatement - John David Nielson, San Juan County Clerk
15. Convene as Local Building Authority
a. Local Building Authority Request for Reimbursement Authorization Form
16. Reconvene as Board of San Juan County Commission
17. Commission Reports

*The Board of San Juan County Commissioners can call a closed meeting at any time during the Regular Session if necessary, for reasons permitted under UCA 52-4-205*

~~  State Records Committee Clears Kelly Pehrson of Insubordination 

   "The management style of the new commissioners has taken a toll on day-in, day-out workings of government. The most visible and possibly far-reaching impact so far could be Maryboy’s accusations of insubordination directed at Kelly Pehrson, county administrator, who left in April to take a high-level state job in Salt Lake City. Pehrson has fought to clear his name over the past five months, and yesterday the State Records Committee sided with him in that effort."  Bill Keshlear

~~ Range Magazine Tells Part of the LeVoy Finicum Story

~~ Dept. of Interior Paves Way for Future State Control of Public Land Roads

"In a notice in the Federal Register on Friday, Interior revealed it would open a 30-day review of control of Manganese Road in southwest Utah.

Nearly all of the 10.18-mile thoroughfare sits on lands governed by the Bureau of Land Management. Interior's approval would give control of the right of way — including maintenance and improvements — to state and local officials.

But conservationists warn that the Manganese Road could be a test case for Utah, which has long disputed control of more than 14,000 rights of way covering some 35,000 miles in the state."

~~  Huntsman Visits Southern Utah:  "Ground Zero" for Growth in Utah

~~ Penetrating the Ballot Fog in San Juan (Nov. 5 vote on study regarding type of Gov. )

~~ Utah Explores Alternative Fuel Solutions

~~ Farmers Contribute to Economy: 1.5 Billion Eggs produced in Utah

~~ Patagonia Pays Bail for Arrested Protesters 

Who Wonders What "Industrial Tourism" Looks Like, and Why SJ Doesn't Want it?  

~~ What Happens When Wind Turbines Reach the End of their 20 Yr. Cycle?

~~ "Sustainable Development" Policies Work Against Beef Industry

"The term “Sustainable Development” was born on the pages of the 1987 United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development. It is basically the policy for the implementation of Agenda 21 which came along in 1992. The announced purpose of Agenda 21 was a “comprehensive blueprint for the reorganization of human society”.

~~ Encroaching Bans on Animal Products Threaten Food Producers

"Politicians want to tax farmers and ranchers for emissions and slap sin taxes on meat to encourage plant-based diets. Celebrities are spinning faux science into meatless propaganda in the name of compassion to animals and the planet."

~~ Last Resort?  When the Only Card You Know How to Play is "Racism"

~~ Cougar Sightings on the Rise in SW Utah; How to Protect Yourself 

~~ Fires in Central Utah; A Convenient Excuse, or Good Policy?

~~ Feral Horse Management Creates Crisis

~~ Bad Environmental Policy Causes Forest Fires

~~ From James Adaki's FB Page:

Celebrations, Census, Western Caucus, County Commission July 23--Bear Essentials 7/18/2019

Life in the Rural West

Monticello Set to Celebrate Pioneer Day

Photo by Karly Halls -- Monticello

~~SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING July 23, Monticello

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting
1. Executive Session to Discuss Pending or Imminent Litigation
2. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision in Navajo Nation v. San Juan County Briefing & Possible Action

*San Juan County Commission can call a closed meeting at any time during the Regular Session*
 

~~ Farmers in Monticello Represented by Big Four in Pioneer Day Parade

~~ Canyon Country Discovery Center in Monticello Featured

~~ Four Reasons Why the Left is so Invested in the Census Debate

"A citizenship question was on the decennial census forms from 1820 to 1950. After that, it was only included on the long-form census form. In 2010, the question was removed entirely by the Obama administration. The question remains on the American Community Survey, an annual population canvass that the Census Bureau conducts."

~~Talks Underway with Utah Leaders to Strike Bears Ears Monument Deal 

~~ The Grand Staircase Story: Morality of Mining, No-compromise Environmentalists, Unreliable Sources"  by Bill Keshlear / Canyon Zephyr

~~  Grand Junction, Colorado Named as new BLM HeadQuarters; 

"Utah will gain 44 BLM staffers in a realignment that will move the agency's headquarters from Washington to Grand Junction, Colorado, the Department of Interior announced Tuesday."

~~ Western Caucus Hopeful About New BLM Location  in Colorado

~~ Record Breaking Economy Helping Those Who Need it Most

~~ Victory For Property Rights in Louisiana Related to Gopher Frogs!

~~ Living the American Dream Home Depot Co-Founder Defends Position

~~ Behind the Scenes of the Supreme Court Kavanaugh Confirmation 

~~ Science Supports Removing Grizzlies from Endangered Species List

~~  Push to End Dependence on Foreign Uranium Industry  Western Caucus

~~ Too Little, Too Late in "Clean Water Case" Against EPA Target

~~ Federal Appeals Court Upholds Prior Gerrymandering Decision

"Commissioner Bruce Adams, who supported the appeal, said he was disappointed with the ruling. “San Juan County appealed the initial decision of Judge Shelby because it split apart our most populated city, Blanding, and left them without representation. We went to the 10th Circuit looking for a more fair solution. The decision that came down today is very disappointing and disenfranchises a significant portion of our community,” he said in a statement.

~~ Dine' Bikeyah Activist, Garon Coriz, Dies in Climbing Accident

~~   AP Story on Coriz Rapelling Fall

Borders, Bundy, Bluff and Beyond; January 19, 2019

News in the West

Salt Lake Tribune Receives Grant for Full Time SJC Reporter

Watch The National Debt Clock Escalate

Fiscal Debt and Why it Matters

~~  Hearing Jan 22 to Evaluate W. Greyeyes' State/ SJC Residency;  "Decorum" Rules

~~ Want More Fiscal Responsibility? Give more Power to the States  Gov. Herbert

"...the increasing frequency of federal shutdowns . . . should tell us that the problem is deeper than a disagreement over immigration or health care or the debt ceiling. If we accept that federal shutdowns are likely to continue to occur, then we should consider long-term strategies to mitigate their scope and severity—including the return to a robust federalism that leaves more policy making power to the states. . . . One year ago, I joined with a few other governors to meet then-House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to discuss various policy concerns. Among other topics, I emphasized the need to devolve power from Washington, D.C., to states, where government is more innovative and responsive. Mrs. Pelosi agreed, and even quoted Justice Louis Brandeis’ famous idea that states are the “laboratories of democracy.” Usually, I’m the one reciting that phrase to federal officials, so I was happy to experience the reverse." Gary Herbert

~~ Cliven Bundy Case Dismissed

~~ Bluff City Council Disconnects "City" from Lyman Family Farms Property 

“I was not elected to engage in expensive litigation,” Mayor Anne Leppanan said. “Expensive, long, nasty litigation with an attorney who will take us through the wringer.

 Natural Resources Package Introduced in Senate   

Senator Murkowski, AK

~~ Dock Congressmen's Salary During Gov. Shutdowns?  John Curtis Agrees 

~~ Climate Change Paranoia; the Campaign for Global Socialism

~~ Conservation Easements + Land Trusts Subvert Private Property Rights

      Tom DeWeese wrote in Sustainable, that there are thousands of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with the UN to subvert property rights. Of course, they don’t just announce that property rights are now null and void. That would create a stir. Instead, they use code words and language that sound innocent and helpful to our society. One such tool that is now being used to target rural lands for takings is the Conservation Easement, and its threat is growing."

~~ FBI Recommended that BLM Waive Bundy Grazing Rights   Washington Post   

~~Farmers Under Fire: Trial Lawyers’ Attack Agriculture

"Agriculture is in the crosshairs as class-action lawsuits seek huge monetary awards against agricultural producers, said a panel of experts at a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention."

~~ Land and Water Conservation Funds Pose Problem for Stockmen

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Wall Building on the Border: Yay and Nay

~~ Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar's views on building the Wall:

"The statistics are worth repeating:

• 90% of the heroin in our country flows through our porous southern border
• 50 percent increase in family units arriving in 2018  
• First time in the history of United States family units and children make up the majority of apprehensions. 
• In the last two years alone, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records. Including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults and nearly 30,000 sex crimes.
• 68% of migrants and refugees are victims of violence along the journey
• 1 out of 3 women sexually assaulted  

When listening to the open border left discuss the much-needed border wall, they often whine that the wall will not work. They cite no facts or figures that walls do not work, nor can they, since the reality is far different. The data shows that anywhere we have built walls we have seen a massive drop in illegal crossings – usually by 90% or more.

• Tucson (built in 2000): Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 90% over 15 years
• Yuma (built in 2005): Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 95% over 9 years  
• San Diego (built in 1992): Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 92% over the past 23 years
• El Paso (built in 1993):  Apprehensions of illegal aliens crossing the border dropped 72% in one year and 95% over 22 years"

~~ Regulatory Roadblocks in Securing the Southern Borders of US

~~ Who's Crossing the Border? 

~~Farmer Says He'll Give Trump An Easement If He'll Build the Wall

~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: March 10, 2018~~

*March 14 Wallace Stegner Center Symposium:

Public Lands in a Changing West

A few of the Red Flag topics and presenters: The Dynamic West: Economic & Demographic Change
Ray Rasker, Headwaters Economics; 12:50 p.m.

Thursday: 12:30 Utah’s Monumental Controversy: Revisiting the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
John Ruple, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (Moderator)
Steve Bloch, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Constance E. Brooks, C.E. Brooks & Associates, P.C.
Nicole Croft, Grand Staircase Escalante Partners

2:45 p.m. – Sage Grouse Conservation: The Challenge of Multi-Jurisdictional Planning

*Mike Noel Retiring after 16 years in State Leadership

    *Who Speaks for the Colorado Plateau? High Country News

Is “the role of environmental groups is to save the Colo; Plateau FROM

the people who live there?"

  *Pay attention to Voting Districts: Things have changed in SJC

(Vint DeGraw has posted several clarifications in San Juan Political Debate: Scroll)
*Stay in Contact with 3^rd District Representative:  John Curtis  https://curtis.house.gov/contact/email

n  Utah Farm Bureau Defends Monument Size Reduction

"Grazing allotments in the monuments are not just land, they are the linchpin of the Western ranching community. The Farm Bureaus’ member ranching families manage the natural resources on these lands for both their livelihood and wildlife."

n  Sean Reyes Plans Suit to Give States Control of Public Lands  KUER

n  Sec. Zinke Working to Rebuild National Parks Infrastructure 

Zinke’s page is a good FB site to follow, as there is much going on in DOI, and lots of opinions.

n  Bill Demands Fair Compensation from “in lieu of” taxes from Feds

n  Des News Contradicts NY Times Accusations Regarding Bears Ears

n  Harrison Johnson Speaks out at District Realignment Hearing

n  Local News Live: Voting districts, Energy Fuels & More  Bill Boyle

n  Com. Lyman asks Judge Shelby to Recuse Himself in Voting Decision

n  BLM Should Move West  Nevada Appeal

n  Arrow to the Heart Documents BLM Abuses in Wyoming

n  Utah House Resolution Exempts State from Future Land Grabs

n  Rep. Mike Noel Proposes Renaming Highway to honor Pres. Trump

n  This Bill was later withdrawn, but it woke up a lot of people up!

n  Top Stories of 2017 in the Four Corners  Four Corners Free Press

n  Tourism Remains the same, in spite of Resizing Grand Staircase NM

  

n  Americans Pay a High Price From Destructive, Deadly Forest Fires

n  Mt. Valley Tribal Park Investigated

n  NY Times Version of the Downsizing of Bears Ears

n  Ute Leader part of Deep Pockets Environmental Board

n  Conspiracy Against American Farmers

n  Federal Government Incapable of Taking Care of more Public Land

“These days, [The Dept. of] Interior spends over $200 million a year buying land. That raises the perennial question: how much is enough? The government already owns 635 million acres, almost a third of the United States. That includes 250 million acres of BLM, 193 million acres of national forests, 84 million acres of national parks, and 150 million acres of wildlife refuges. And as the maintenance backlog demonstrates, the government cannot begin to manage it all.” 

n  Grand Canyon Trust Files Suit Over Mountain Goat Damage

n  BLM’s Thugocracy Lives On

n  Greenhorns Try Their Hand at Staking Mining Claims

Other Articles/ Events of Local Interest

v Mitt Romney Attends SFW Banquet in Blanding

v Legislator Calls For Giving State Park Status to Hole in the Rock Trail

v Tribal Groups Call for Creation of Indian Affairs State Cabinet Position

v Local Explorer Visits Paleo-dig for Fossils

v One Cowboy’s Stand For Freedom, The Levoy Finicum story

v Help Support Free Range Report – Truth in the West

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 http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/          

                        Documenting Bears Ears “No Monument” efforts since July 2016