Top Bid for Utah Trust Lands Goes to Lyman Family Farms

SALT LAKE CITY — The president of a Utah farming corporation outbid Mormon history buffs and conservation groups to snatch up nearly 400 acres of school trust lands in an area that could become enveloped in a Bears Ears national monument should it happen.

The Comb Ridge parcel sold for $500,000 — $200,000 above what defeated competitors offered — to Lyman Family Farm's Joe Hunt, who responded, "What Bears Ears?" when asked.

Lyman Family Farm prevailed in a number of bidding wars at Wednesday's Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands auction that garnered $5.5 million for the benefit of the permanent school trust fund, which distributes money to Utah schools.

The Hole in the Rock Foundation wanted the 391-acre parcel at Comb Ridge adjacent to federally managed lands to lead youth groups on historical and cultural tours of an area that was blazed by Mormon pioneers over the winter of 1879-80 in a treacherous journey.

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TO BLUFF SITLA LAND SALES PROTESTERS

Published in San Juan Record, 9/14/2016

Let me get this straight.  As proponents of a 1.9 Million acre National Monument which promises to preserve the cultural heritage, ceremonies, and history of Native American Coalition tribes from ARIZONA, you are worried about 640 acres of said land, that would be utilized for the same purposes by another culture group?  

I know you promote that the lands of the Anasazi are “sacred” and their ancestors need to be able to return, enjoy, and have shared experiences.  This is the same reason why the Hole in the Rock Foundation seeks to use a tiny portion of 1.9 million acres, and they aren’t even asking the Federal government to maintain it, hire rangers to patrol, or go more in debt to do so.  I know you would be welcome to continue your hikes, even when it becomes “privatized.” HITR knows you wouldn’t vandalize it or desecrate it, though it would have to be scheduled, just as it will be, should this vast area becomes a National Monument.

The SITLA lands near Bluff are going up for bid.  You should hope and pray it is HITR that gets the bid, as they are notorious for turning the other cheek, biting their tongues, and working hard to be good neighbors.  That might not be the case with other bidders. Who knows, it may be some big investor, hoping to capitalize on the hordes of tourists that a National Monument will bring.  That’s what you should be concerned about.  

Janet Wilcox, Promoting the history and shared heritage experiences of all San Juan county culture groups