Bear Essentials January 30, 2017

  Bear Essentials January 30, 2017

Legislative News was at the top of the Bear Cave this week.  It has been very reassuring to see our State Legislators representing us so well.  If you have not already done so, please watch these two hearings with Representative Greg Hughes, and Mike Noel. I feel like I know the issues even better now as well as the caliber of men who represents us. 

--Utah House of Representatives Jan. 27 Resolution presented by Greg Hughes

--Video --HCR 12 Concurrent Resolution by Mike Noel

--This is the article I wrote regarding the passage of both resolutions on Friday:   Utah leaders Issue Resolution to undo Decades of Federal Monuments Injustices     

[Be sure to give Marjorie Haun a shout out when you go to her Free Range site; you may even want to lend support!]

--Deseret News Article related to resolutions

Even though we have support of our representatives and congressmen, the green-machine opposition is still spending mega bucks lobbying against Utah’s right to have any say in the matter of local land use. Take every opportunity you can to call or write to correct inaccuracies or confront lies spread by web sites, news articles, and fear mongers. How many of you commented on the Deseret News Article? That is just one way to get involved.

 Good News Bears

--Bears Ears Needs the Butterfly Effect:   We believe Faith can move mountains.  Now it’s time to see if faith plus action can move Monuments.

Because Utah State Legislators cannot rescind the Bears Ears Monument by themselves, we are uniting with them and asking those in other states to join us in this cause. On the National level, elected officials are more likely to listen their own constituents.  Please contact every sympathetic patriot you know (on e-mail, Facebook and, address book), and ask them to please contact their state senators and representatives and share the concerns that western states have.  Legislation regarding land issues is going to be a big issue and we need your help and theirs.   (Following is a sample letter, and possible ideas you could use if needed.)

Sample Letter I sent out last week:  Use your own ideas, or borrow some of these.  So far I’ve contacted 80 people, and plan to do more.  Please join me.

Dear Friends and family,

I hate to admit it, but I’ve seldom gotten involved in local politics—however, this year has been an exception. I've been very active since July 2016, trying to prevent the Bears Ears National Monument from being designated in San Juan County, Utah.  We have lived in this beautiful, yet rugged, dry area for 45 years, but we love it. During my growing up years in Idaho, National Park visits were always included; I even worked at Yellowstone and Jackson Hole as a teenager, but fast forward to today and I see a well-funded and relentless global movement to confiscate more American land and take away state’s rights.  This sham in the name of environment has crossed my line of tolerance.  Bears Ears was designated Dec. 28 and now we are working to have the dastardly deed undone.   Utah was not the only victim in this socialistic movement. A total of 550 million acres were “locked up” during Obama’s regime, with the prime intent of preventing the use of natural resources.  It was NOT about protection.

Currently the Federal government owns approximately 640 million acres of land (about 28 percent) of the 2.27 billion acres of land in the United States. However, 92 percent of these federally owned acres are in 12 Western states.  We do not have equality when it comes to state’s rights and economic freedom. Only 8 % of the land in San Juan County where we live is privately owned!  As a result, we are the poorest county in the state.  Impoverished western counties with public lands, are dominated by federal agencies and are exporting children and importing poverty. National Monuments only make that worse. Even though tourists come, they are not a stable tax base and neither are the service jobs which ensue.  We already have five other Nat'l Parks and Monuments in our county, and we’re still the poorest!  

​We are now using legislative means to have Bears Ears rescinded and the Antiquities Act changed so that congressional approval is required.  We need your support in this matter. if you feel compassion for our plight, please write your Congressmen: senators and representatives-- especially if you live outside of Utah.  If you live in Utah, please forward this letterl to family and friends in other states. Encourage them to support Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee and Representative Jason Chaffetz in their bills to rein in federal overreach, rescind Bears Ears NM, and curtail the Antiquities Act.  

This article includes more reasons why this is important:  Utah Legislators Issue Resolution to Curtail Federal Injustices

If you need additional information, visit this Blog.  http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/

​I hope these concerns will be yours as well, and that you will write or call your congressmen.  Please let me know when you do this, as we're tracking our efforts.  If you don't agree with this, thank you for at least reading through the two links above and considering my point of view.  

Thank you,

Janet

This map may give you an idea of what we’re dealing with.

--Jason Chaffetz introduces bill to strip law enforcement from BLM and Forest Service

  Bad News Bears

--Ranchers in Oregon face more problems –i.e. spotted frogs

--Listen:  Anniversary Tribute to LaVoy Finicum:  

Why are these lands shut down?

--Why the new version BLM 2.0 isn’t better than previous land planning strategies  (Be aware that non-elected Non-Governmental Organizations now have as much say in decisions as locals who know and live by the land.)

Resolution in Utah House of Rep. to Rescind Monument

Updates 1/27:  Watch Representative Hughes' Resolution to Rescind Bears Ears Monument

Watch Mike Noel's presentation  ON:  Concurrent Resolution Urging Federal Legislation to Reduce or Modify the Boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Rules Committee.

=======================

SALT LAKE CITY — Two top Republicans in the state House have filed resolutions urging President Donald Trump to take action on a pair of national monuments in Utah.  In a rare move, House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, filed a resolution Thursday asking the president to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument.

” WHEREAS, the Bears Ears National Monument designation will forever remove the possibility of economic development and decimate the economy of the region with impacts felt around the state; WHEREAS, citizens in rural Utah deserve the equal opportunity to pursue happiness through the protection of their life, liberty, property, and right to determine their own destiny unimpeded by their own federal government,” the resolution states in part.  Representative Mike Noel, presented a second resolution asking for reduction in size of Grand Staircase.

Read the rest of the story

Impoverished western counties dominated by federally claimed land are exporting children and importing poverty.
This includes National Parks, Monuments, Reservations, BLM land, US Forest Service.

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.)

Obama bans use of traditional ammo on USFW lands

In its final attack on gun owners, the Obama administration moved to ban traditional lead ammo on federal grounds and waterways on its last full day in office.

The ban, which includes cheap bullets and common fishing tackle, can be repealed by the Trump administration and was immediately condemned as an attack on outdoors people and rural life.

“This directive is irresponsible and driven not out of sound science but unchecked politics,” said Lawrence Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

“The timing alone is suspect. This directive was published without dialogue with industry, sportsmen and conservationists. The next director should immediately rescind this, and instead create policy based upon scientific evidence of population impacts with regard to the use of traditional ammunition.”

Read full article in Free Range Report:

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!

Hearing Proceedings for Sec. of the Department of Interior

Worth watching:  Zinke may be our Next Department of Interior Secretary

Watch the hearings.  Chairman of the committee is Lisa Markowski, Senator from Alaska, but she even mentions Blanding, Utah in the introduction!

Inequality of Western States can be Resolved by Local Stewardship

Federal land agencies have managed the West like a museum for years. This hands-off management approach has resulted in watershed destruction, air pollution, and forest and wildland fires. Our communities and the environment deserve better. States have the know-how and incentives to repair decades of federal neglect by tending to the environment like the garden that it is. For Stewards of San Juan County this is encouraging news.  

While most of us have been nonchalantly living our lives, The Utah Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands compiled a world-class legal team of renowned constitutional scholars and litigators to examine the legal theories surrounding the transfer of public lands to the states. This article has links to their efforts, and answers questions that have stopped others from even trying.

Historic direction on how public lands can be managed by states

More...
For detailed information on how a land transfer would work, read this

Has it been done before? 

Which famous U.S. senator successfully made this argument to compel the federal government to transfer title to the vast stretches of federally controlled land in the west? Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah whose state is 65% percent federally controlled? Or, maybe Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona whose state is nearly 50% federally controlled? Maybe it’s a trick question. Could it be Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas whose state has about 1% federally controlled land? Give up?

It’s Democratic Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri whose state at the time was 90% federally controlled for decades. You may be thinking, “Benton is not a famous U.S. senator.”  Well, tell that to John F. Kennedy who included Thomas Hart Benton as one of eight prominent U.S. senators in his best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage. Or, consider that Teddy Roosevelt wrote a 372-page biography of Thomas Hart Benton.

If Confirmed San Juan Will be Visited by Zinke

The Senate hearing Jan. 17 for designated Department of Interior Ryan Zinke were encouraging.  Senator Mike Lee got a commitment from Zinke , a Montana native, that he will come visit Bears Ears Country if he receives Senate approval for this position. 

Ryan Zinke, the nominee for Secretary of the Interior, made the commitment to Utah Sen. Mike Lee during his confirmation hearing this week.

“I am absolutely committed to restoring trust,” said Zenke in response to a question by Lee. “If confirmed, I have committed to coming to Utah first and talking to the Governor and talking to the people on the ground.”

The questioning revolved around the December 28, 2016 designation of the Bears Ears National Monument by President Barack Obama using the Antiquities Act.

The 1.35-million acre monument includes 27 percent of the entire landmass of San Juan County.

“The seemingly limitless power granted to the President of the United States under the Antiquities Act is troubling,” said Lee before adding, “I hope that if you are confirmed for this position, that one of the first things you do is to come to Utah.”
  Read more of the story:

Bear Essentials -- Jan. 17, 2017

--To Do List this week:

1. Write your letter to President Elect Trump.  If you need help go to the library Monday, January 16th from 3-7 pm, Human Rights Day for help. Take copy to Kara Laws photo studio south of post office before Wed.

2. Be sure to watch this:  Shows changes since Grand Staircase was implemented 20 years ago.  CommissionerPhil Lyman and Mike Noel represent us well.

Good News Bears -- Follow the links (bear tracks!)

--A Government of bullies, article by Phil Lyman

--KSJD Cortez  Radio Interview with Bill Boyle

--Agriculture Adds 21 Billion to Utah’s Economy

--An argument for State’s rights in managing land

--Reflections from a NY Demoncrat on why Trump won

--Open letter to President Trump

Bad News Bears

1.      Commissioner Phil Lyman: “If you want some good insight as to the mindset we are facing with the BLM watch this video. It is long so make sure you have some time. Nada Culver is the last to speak. She is an attorney for the Wilderness Society and is director of the BLM Action Center. If you want some good reading Google BLM action center and Wilderness Society and you will see how a private nonprofit is working diligently to manipulate the BLM.”           Watch this BLM Video

Commentary: Kelly Mike Green-Moab  “When the environmental wolf gets to be at the table, lambs are going to be sacrificed because the wolf pack planned it. Land use for energy development is changing to recreational and tourist development planning and multiple use is being eliminated. The BLM plan in Grand County is a great example of what happened. Our ability to have extraction energy potential has been lost or will be phased out. Billions in revenue will be lost to counties. 2.0 is an environmental takeover!”

2.     Tri-State Livestock News: Monument is Mayhem for Ranchers

3.      Navajo Nation faces job loss if Power Plant closes

4.     New Oregon NM expansion will doubles size of area (plant life preservation).  

(Bill Clinton created the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in June of 2000)

5.     Black Diamond and Patagonia play games with other people’s money

6.     Attachments:  BLM fact sheet (Save for future reference) and .pdf file of this newsletter.   Please share information with others.