~~BEAR ESSENTIALS: April 30, 2018~~

v   Type in Address to Find Your Commissioner Voting District

Attention citizens in San Juan County District 3--  Rebecca Benally and Kenneth Maryboy are the only two candidates running for commissioner in this district. Both are running as Democrats in the primaries, and there is no Republican candidate. If you’re registered as a Republican the ONLY viable way you can vote is to request a democratic ballot for the primaries.  Please contact Janet Wilcox 678-2851 or respond to this e-mail Before May 4 if you’re willing to do this!  Rebecca has gone out on a limb multiple times to help us in the Bears Ears fight.  She needs our support NOW in getting reelected! 

  

v SPEAR Meeting Tues. May 1 Monticello Court House 7 PM

Anyone who has an interest in maintaining their access to public lands is invited to attend. This includes not only ATV riders, but also jeepers, hikers, bikers, and others. Spear is an organization that not only builds and maintains trails, but fights to insure your public access rights are not denied 

v Dr. Mike Kennedy, candidate for Utah senator will be in Monticello May 22, 7 PM at the Hideout.  Get your questions ready.

v John Curtis video on Utah issues, including Bears Ears

n  President Trump Signs Antiquities Ex. Order April 26

The Antiquities Act does not give the federal government unlimited power to lock up millions of acres of land and water, and it is time we ended this abusive practice.  This executive order will end this egregious abuse of federal power, and give that power back to the states and to the people, where it belongs.

n  Phil Lyman Runs for Utah House of Representatives

n  Chris Herrod Running Again for US House of Representatives

n  Commissioner Benally Active in Promoting Positive Changes

n  What’s Happened to DOI Execs since Zinke’s Swamp Draining

n  US President and Vice President Speak : Role of states and public lands/ accomplishments for this administration.

n  Rebecca Benally Appointed to Tribal Treasury Advisory Board

n  Maffley Again:  Did SJC Orchestrate Charges Against Chilcoat as Relatiation?

n  Free Range Report’s take on the case: Poor Me Defense

n  Wild Earth, et al, Continue to Promote Recreation Over Jobs

n  Robert Redford Opines on Scott Pruitt of EPA

n  Senators Protest Zinke/ President Trumps Resizing of Bears Ears

n  Patagonia’s View of Bears Ears

n  Are Anti-fracking/ drilling Groups Acting as Agents for Russia?

n  Dine’ Bikeyah Appeals to United Nations to Solve Local Problems

n  “History” Review Promotes Fallacies, Bigotry and Name Calling

n  Arrow to the Heart: The Custer Battlefield Museum vs the Fed. Gov
                 Other Articles/ Events of Local Interest                                               

v The Transformation of Arches National Park; Other Pending Trends in Grand County

v Public Lands: The Looming Catastrophe

http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/

            Documenting Bears Ears “No Monument” efforts since July 2016                                                                    

BLM Version 2.0 is not an Improvement in Policy

Now we're that in the "planning" stages of a National Monument and working with the BLM --maybe we should review this earlier warning.

 By Cassie Moon  (written Aug. 22, 2016)

 BLM 2.0 is the new lands planning for the BLM. Basically, it changes everything. In the past, the BLM would plan the land use future with the local governments first. Then the BLM would open up the plan to other stakeholders like special interest groups to gain their input as well. 

Now, the new rule takes the land plan, to fast track it, and gives all stakeholders open comment at the same time. This move raises the NGO's to the same level as the government (elected officials) and gives them equal power. NGO's are not elected by the people to represent the people. 

The BLM claims this is more timely as it develops plans as they have also shortened the comments time. The planning policy used to say the plans had to meet with what was practical to local and state government. If it wasn't, the burden fell on the BLM to provide reasons in writing. Now, the rule states that plans have to be consistent with the council of environmental quality. 

The problem now lies with the state to provide how plans are "not practical." Economic impact used to be measured if it affected over $100 million dollars, an impact study would be needed. Now, this is measured on an appropriate scale. One example is that the reports produced by Wild Earth says that Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is helping towns to thrive. The impact study that group used included the areas of St. George and Las Vegas to "provide proof" the GSENM was an economic boon.

However, Utah State also provided a study and proved that the actual counties were devastated. The BLM and the council of environmental quality no longer look at the appropriate scale. This rule is not just in Utah. IT IS NATIONWIDE!  Everyone should worry that BLM may be planning about your land use, based upon information from other states. The local and practical part is missing in BLM Version 2.0. The comment period on the new law is over, and the final draft is not out. You all need to call your congressmen and put political pressure from constituents to stop this madness!

Listen to The County Seat discussion on these local concerns

BLM's Version 2.0 strategy is to move (non-elected)  Non-government Organizations, i.e. SUWA, Friends of Cedar Mesa, ad infinitum..to the local planning table as equals.)