News in the West
“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.”
“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
“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.”
“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.”
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Documenting Bears Ears
Controversy and Public Land Issues since July
2016
