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:

Celebrate and Protect Freedom *****July 1, 2019

Happy 4th of July 2019

     Blanding's Schedule of July 4th Activities

                                    "Best Small Town Celebration in Utah"  Video

Life in the West

~~Climate Change Forecast For The Four Corners 

~~ Property Owners and Nightly Rentals Facing Scrutiny

~~ Opinion: Bluff City Should Rethink Objection to Solar Farm

~~ What's Best?  Ban Plastic Bags or Other Alternatives?

~~ Supreme Court Determines to Stay out of State Political Boundary Issues

~~Letting Fires Burn  VS.  Value of New Growth  Is it Really Worth it?

~~ Agenda for July 2, Commission Meeting--Note new location

SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGMONUMENT VALLEY WELCOME CENTER - MONUMENT VALLEY, UTAHAGENDAJuly 2, 2019

9:00 A.M. Work Meeting
1. San Juan County Marketing & Promotion Initiatives Briefing - Natalie Randall
2. Budget Briefing / 2019 Tax Rates Discussion - John David Nielson, John Fellmeth, David Everitt
3. Status of Maintenance for Roads on the Navajo Nation - Ben Musselman, David Everitt
4. County Administrator Appointment Process - David Everitt
5. Public Lands Issues Report - Nick Sandberg

10:00 A.M. Commission Meeting
1. Approval of Minutes - June 10 & 18, 2019
2. Citizens' comments* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Designate the County's representative at the upcoming NACo conference
4. Ratify BLM Letter confirming participation as a Consulting Party in the Canyon Rims TMA - Nick Sandberg
5. Authorize Chair to sign comment letter regarding the draft Colorado River Management Plan and the draft Green & Colorado Rivers Mineral Leasing Plan - Nick Sandberg
6. Authorize the Chair to sign a Cooperative Agreement with Utah State Division of Parks & Recreation to install vault toilets at Hook & Ladder Trailhead - Ben Musselman
7. Ratify 2019 property tax rates - John David Nielson
8. Approve new hires - Walter Bird
9. Mental Health Board Appointment 
10. Ratify approval of Reimbursement Agreement with SITLA for planning work in Spanish Valley - David Everitt
11. Commission Reports 

~~Uranium Mining in the Four Corners Could See a Revival this Year

~~ Video of June 18 Commission Meeting

~~ Rep. Bishop and Team Introduce RNR Bipartisan Act: Recreation Not Red Tape (RNR) Act

~~ Rural Communities Seek Help through Utah Coal Miners Strike Team

~~ Oregon Pipeline a Possible Boon to Utah's Nat'l Gas Industry

~~ Reintroduction of Wolves into Colorado has Negative Impact on Elk Herds

    ~~ Related video The Devastation to Other Wildlife

~~FEMA and the Dysfunction of Federal Bureaucracy 

"Another bureaucratic fiasco simply reinforces why the nine most terrifying words in the English language are still: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

The number of declared national emergencies—and how much we spend on them—is rising, yet one of the agencies tasked with handling national emergencies has been particularly opaque about its effectiveness."

~~ Recent Supreme Court Decision Looks at Gerrymandering

~~ Nat'l Parks and Monuments Crumbling After Years of Neglect

"Nearly $12 billion is needed to repair infrastructure, mostly crumbling roads, at 419 park units managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The maintenance backlog grew $313 million in 2018 alone, federal figures state."  So why would Dine Bikeyah want to resize Bears Ears back to original designation if the NPS can't even maintain what they already have?    Free Range Report

      "The maintenance backlog goes beyond just NPS-managed lands. In total, the Interior Department faces $18 billion in deferred maintenance when lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies are factored in."

    Editorial Comment:  "Back in 2016 and 2017 when were were actively fighting the 1.9 Obama Declared National Monument, this issue was one of the concerns we had, and it hasn't gotten any better.  In fact, it's gotten worse, because now our country has a 22 Trillion debt!  How can we suppose the Federal Gov. can take care of our Public lands, or Nat'l parks and Monuments when they are indebted to other countries?  Collateral for debt appears to be the confiscation of more public land.  Local and State control is in most cases better; they at least pay their bills."   Janet Wilcox

Willie Greyeyes Drops County Lawsuit; Other Western News

Read: Navajo Times Article  Nov. 18  Conderning Willie Greyeyes

Utah: Updated Results of Utah Elections  (Mia Love Squeaking ahead.)

California:  Updates on Tragic California fires

Moab: Grand County Republicans Pursue Lawsuit Over Proposition 9

Moab:  Proposition 9  Big Winner in Moab

Utah:  Who's to Blame for Fires in the West

Moab:  Mountain Biker Dies on Porcupine Rim Trail

Moab: Immigration Violator Arrested by ICE 

Arizona:  State Parks Director Fired: Concerns over  Bulldozing of Archaeological Site

~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: August 20, 2018

News in the West

n  KUER Radio Interview: Politics, Public Lands, Bundy, Mormons, Enviroment

n  Active Fires in the West:  Daily Updates

n  Seven Active Fires in Utah

n  How the Left Misunderstands the Benefits of Free Enterprise

n  Phil Lyman Opposes Gas Tax for Funding Public Schools:  Better Strategies Needed

n  Sign up for Phil Lyman’s Newsletter

n  Gov. Herbert Calls for Utah Control of Public Forests

“One particular set of Forest Service regulations is commonly known as the “Roadless Rule.” Although the rule is intended to protect forests, Herbert said it has led to overgrown and unhealthy forests filled with dead trees.     Noting that neighboring states such as Idaho and Colorado have already enacted state-specific modifications to federal roadless rules, Herbert said it’s time for Utah to petition the U.S. Forest Service for a new Utah-specific roadless rule.”

n  Navajo Tribe Files 5^th Lawsuit against EPA

n  Utah Navajos Encourged to Verify Registration

n  Could Ogden become the Site of New BLM Headquarters?

n  Overstep of Government and Property Rights – Opinion

n  “Make it Monumental” Bound to Stir Controversy

n  Keshlear Questions Paranoia Over Oil Development/ Irony Alert!

“The fear among environmentalists, then and now, is that the presence of oil and gas infrastructure will deter and divert tourists away from the Moab area, whose economy depends on an ever-expanding and insatiable recreation economy.    But has oil and gas development affected the numbers of tourists to visit nearby Dead Horse Point? According to park statistics, visitation has actually grown dramatically. Here are the numbers…           2003……………161,774

                                   2014……………333,488

                                   2017……………560,783

n  Curtis Wells Nominated for President of Utah Counties

n  Rep. John Curtis Answers Wide Range of Questions In Moab

 

n  Bad Forest Management Results in Rampant Fires through the West

n  Remember 2016 Warning? Environmental Money Behind Bears Ears!

n  At Least 8 Non-Profits and 6 Foundations Allied to Elect Maryboy-2018

“The policies of the new pro-Bears Ears county commission will align – to varying degrees – with the goals of a grand alliance: 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, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Wyss Foundation, Wilburforce Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation and others. Several of the organizations are worth billions.

Other allies Maryboy’s and Grayeyes’ organization has counted on include some of the nation’s most prominent and politically aggressive outdoor recreation companies, specifically Patagonia, The North Face, REI, Black Diamond, Arc’teryx, Sage, OR, küat, Osprey, Yakima, Clif Bar and Mountain Hard Wear. The Conservation Alliance, whose membership includes 220 companies, also helps fund Utah Diné Bikéyah.”

….”MARYBOY BRINGS ALL THIS BAGGAGE to the San Juan County Commission. He’s been knee deep in muck for much of his political career, and now he’s deeply rooted in an alliance with multimillionaire “outsiders” whose multi-tiered goals might not align with the day-in, day-out needs of a cash-strapped, rural county.”

n  Greyeyes Back on SJC Ballot: Decision to Follow Election????

n  Four Corners Free Press: Analysis of Primary Election/ Benally Loss

“The ACLU of Utah provided printed flyers with details about how to identify district residencies, how to recognize ballot problems, and whom to call. They also published in-person polling locations and contact information for questions and concerns. The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, and the Rural Utah Project (RUP) launched voter registration drives to assist Native residents, who are now the demographic majority, as they grappled with identifying in the correct precincts and districts in which they live.

T.J. Ellerbeck, an RUP coordinator, organized a campaign in San Juan County that would assure voters that their registrations were correct. They also assisted with new voter registration. The group clarified any district changes that applied to a voter’s registration, what to expect of mail-in ballot procedures, how to vote by mail or in person, and how to recognize if ballots were not correct or tampered with.”

n  Humans: A major cause of fires in the West

n  Mixed Reviews Concerning “Booming” Business in Moab

n  Navajo Nation Still Waiting on EPA Payment from Gold King Mine Spill

n  Swindlers in Navajo Politics

n  Judge Rules to Allow Greyeyes back on Ballot: Navajo Times

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n Read Past Editions of Bear Essentials at: http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/

Documenting Bears Ears Controversy and Public Land Issues since July 2016

                                                                                                  

~~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