Oregon's Owyhee Basin Stewardship Coalition Meets with Zinke

We wanted to let you know that on July 15, Owyhee Basin Stewardship Coalition board (Oregon) member and vice chairman, Mark Mackenzie joined me in Medford for a meeting with U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Congressman Greg Walden.

We were unsure how much time we would have with these two men, but the OBSC decided it was worth the risk, so we made the trip. I am more than thrilled to report that it was time well spent!
 
Mark and I had a good 15 minutes or more, talking one-on-one with Secretary Zinke about the issues and threats we face in Malheur County, which he had already read in the report we supplied his staffers before his trip. Mark and I were very impressed with his approach on doing what is right, regardless of the threat of litigation. As he put it, and I will paraphrase his quote “…when you drain the swamp you uncover the serpents and they are mad, they come fighting back." From where I stand, I think they have met their match!
 
As a former Navy Seal Commander, Zinke has a mindset and demeanor that is ready to really lead the U.S. Dept. of the Interior, and he will lead it in the same manner that he did as a great military leader. He is tackling with a vengeance like we’ve never seen before including issues like the wild horse, Equal Access to Justice, the Antiquities Act, the Endangered Species Act, WSAs and water rights. After talking with him, we believe he is laying the ground work to restructure the BLM, which we all know desperately needs to happen.
 
We left the evening feeling very optimistic and we are sure that Secretary Zinke will not forget us. Mark invited him to visit us in Malheur County and the OBSC board members will be working to facilitate this visit, hopefully this fall. We will keep you posted when we get more details.
 
We would be remiss to not mention how gracious and helpful Congressman Walden has been in our new direction and effort. We spoke with him while in Medford and we are fortunate to have his friendship and support. Congressman Walden is ready to work with us on a plan to insure stability for Malheur County and all of us, as members of the OBSC, we should be proud to be a part of this great effort.

We will continue to keep you updated as we make progress moving forward.


Steve Russell
OBSC Chairman

Bear Essentials January 22, 2017

As of January 19, only 326 people had taken the county resource planning survey. Your opinions are needed. Take it now and encourage others to do likewise:  http://sanjuancountyplan.org/

--Thank you, Stewards of San Juan County, for helping to contact Senators who can help us in this effort to return State’s Rights and Rescind the Bears Ears NM.  Over 2800 letters were mailed last week, thanks to your dedication and support. Over 220 letters went out to President Trump.  This has been a great effort. Thanks Nicole Perkins and Kara Laws for pushing us.

--The next thing to think about: Who are your friends and family who live in states who can help us?  Start making a list of these folks. Congressmen are more likely to listen to their own constituents, and we need to seek their help. We will soon have a game plan on ways these connections can help San Juan County.  In the meantime, make sure family and friends outside of Utah know your views and concerns regarding this Nat’l Mt. designation and are sympathetic.  The opposition never sleeps, and will continue to fight us on these issues no matter how much Josh Ewing promotes the “Golden Rule.” (Letter to the editor, San Juan Record, Jan 19, 2017.

Grandma Betty Jones gave the prayer
at the conclusion of our fast. 

About 60 Stewards of San Juan culminated a fast and prayers for Bears Ears and our Country on Jan. 21 with a pot luck meal at the Blanding library.  Many shown here, worked for days getting letters ready to send.

Wendy Black clarifies a point, talking to Commissioner
Phil Lyman, and County Assessor, Shelby Seeley

--Help needed finding lost records: Winston Hurst needs our help to track down the loose-leaf-bound copies of Albert R. Lyman’s early diaries.  If you have them, or know who borrowed them, let him know 678-3305

 Bad News Bears

--Fake News/Hyperbole/ and Hype Hoodwink public

--Great needs on Navajo Reservation but little progress.

See what the opposition is up to: SUWA

Good News Bears

Sportsmen of Utah take a stand

Local stewardship of Public lands.  Is it possible?

Owyhee County in Oregon safe from NM; Reasons Why

What you should know about Public Land transfer

Public Land in San Juan County, Before and After Pictures

The use of repeat photography is a useful tool in making comparisons between early landscapes and present conditions.  This series of repeat photographs all showing similar conditions and trends is compelling when evaluating ecological changes. Shows we have been Stewards of the Land in almost all instances, and also that Mother Nature does a great job of reinventing herself in positive ways.

The Land we love – San Juan County Photo Collection 

Three e-mail attachments: (plus .PDF of this message) Please forward to others

1) Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) reintroduced an effort to amend the Antiquities Act. The goal is to require congressional approval of presidential monument declarations.

2 )  “It’s absolutely critical to have state and local support on the monument they participate in,” said Dept. of Interior Nominee: Montanan Ryan Zinke. “

3) Grand Staircase Escalante Management report 2014: Want to know how your tax dollars were spent the past 20 years at BSE NM?  Load and read!