Letter to New BLM State Director, Roberson

Dear State Director, Roberson, 

 Welcome to Utah, and all the sticky issues you'll be dealing with.  You must be a man of grit to accept this State position, but I hope you are also a man of wisdom.

I am not a true “local” of San Juan County, having only lived here 45 years. But I have a great passion and love for all things historical, cultural, and environmental in our county. 

I taught English and Journalism at San Juan High school 1984-1999, and on Utah's Electronic High school for seven additional years.  During that time, I and two others started a regional historical magazine in 1984.  Blue Mountain Shadows has published two issues a year since then, plus sponsored, cultural events, folk festivals, and historical forums. We have published 54 issues.  Several of those issues have been cooperative efforts between the BLM and San Juan County Historical Commission.  If you are interested in receiving copies, please let me know and I will send you some related to the issues you fell heir to.  I think they would give you a broader perspective of the people: Ute, Anglo, Navajo, and Hispanics, as well as what comprises their culture and the land we all love.  

The divisive issue of Bears Ears has given many outside of our county a false perception of what San Juan County is like. We love our public lands, but find further restrictions brought on by a National Monument excessive, and even detrimental to keeping this pristine land healthy; based upon Grand Staircase Escalante, do we not see any economic benefits either.  I do agree that we need additional BLM rangers on the Cedar Mesa area, and had the Federal Gov. not been $20 Trillion in debt, maybe that would have happened before now!  Had we not been the target of militant Dan Love-type BLM militia raids, and falsehoods told to our county commissioners by the BLM, we would still be on somewhat good terms with this agency.  We also resent the excessive money spent by wealthy environmental groups and foundations who lobby against SJC, the poorest county in the state. Those are some of my concerns.

​Thank you for your time, and let me know about the magazines.  The State BLM office may have the three Cottonwood Reclamation magazines already. ​But there are others that would be central to the controversies you have inherited. 

My blog: http://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/ contains what has happened since July, when I got involved in this political issue. 

Sincerely,

Janet Wilcox

Look no further than Obama's Monumental Maneuverings

Written in response to The Drake, an outdoor publication which decries Utah's Monumental Maneuvering     (and how Bears Ears relates to fly fishing???)

"If you are concerned about Monumental Maneuvering, look no further than the past 8 years and Obama's 550 Million acres of Monumental lock up, putting our country at risk, and under subjugation to those who will pay off our $20 trillion dollar debt. Those 26 monuments amount to 88.3 million acres; Obama has also added 465.2 million acres to existing monuments. In total, he has designated more land, by hundreds of millions of acres, than any other president. That my friend is enough monumental maneuverings for a century, and one of the reasons freedom loving people didn't elect another "One World Order" Queen of Torts. These monuments were orchestrated by organizations who care more about land than people, more about their ideology than freedoms, and who are funded by "monumentally" wealthy people and foundations the likes of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Wyss Foundation, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and the Wilburforce Foundation. They love to prey on rural America, the working man, and those outside the "inner circle of wealth."

Janet Wilcox

Stewards of San Juan (SOS) Goes Public

Thanks to the creative, and no-fees included, skills of the very talented Devin Bayles Hancock, Stewards of San Juan now has an information filled web site, where you can both learn, and gather facts regarding the Bears Ears much disputed National Monument.  https://stewardsofsanjuan.org/   Check in often to see what's been added, and share the link with others.

Devin top row far left (but only in pictures!) and her loyal fans.

Montana Realty Company Supports Monuments

That should come as no surprise!

Robert Keith published this letter Billings Gazette Feb. 12: "'As co-founder and managing principal of Beartooth Group, a Montana real estate investment firm that restores agricultural and sporting properties across the American West, I have seen firsthand how our national parks, forests, monuments and other public lands drive economic growth.

That’s why I am a member of the Conservation for Economic Growth Coalition, a group of investors and entrepreneurs who believe that public access to these public lands lures entrepreneurs to Montana and helps employers here and across the West recruit and retain the talented, driven people we need to grow our companies and our economy. Our employees work hard and they play hard, and the spectacular landscapes of our public lands provide the inspiration they need and value to give American companies a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.   Read what else he says to Ryan Zinke:
==========
My response to the letter: I can understand why a realtor might be concerned about Utah’s push to rescind Bears Ears NM; real estate is one of the few business to benefit should it remain. As we visit with Kane and Garfield County citizens who live under the shadow of Grand Staircase Escalante NM, things are not booming. Families have moved away and a state of emergency was declared last year. Schools, logging, cattle ranching have all succumbed to the tightening of screws that go with monument regulations. Tourism is not a year-round family-friendly economy, especially where winter last five months. The Bears Ears area was already public land managed by BLM and Forest Service. 

Of greater concern, should be the monumental maneuverings of the past eight years. Obama's 550 Million acres of Monumental lock up, has put our country at risk, and under subjugation to those who will pay off our $20 trillion-dollar debt. That, my western friends is enough land bondage to last a century, and one of the reasons freedom loving people didn't elect another "One World Order" princess. 

These monuments were orchestrated by organizations such as the Conservation Lands Foundation and those who care more about land than people, more about their ideology than freedoms, and who are funded by "monumentally" wealthy people and foundations the likes of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Wyss Foundation, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and the Wilburforce Foundation. They love to prey on rural America, the working man, and those outside the "inner circle of wealth."
Sincerely, Janet Wilcox  Blanding, Utah

Outdoor Retailers: Sorry, the Thrill is Gone

Dear Outdoor Retailer,

by Jordan Garn
Policy Buzz

As I sit here pounding my second bottle of (alcohol-free) Martinelli's and trying to piece together this farewell letter through cloudy vision, I can't help but reflect what a great twenty year run we had. As Roxette first sang in the 80's, it must have been love, but it's over now. 

I wish I could say it's not you, it's me. But that would be as disingenuous as you were during recent negotiations with Governor Herbert.  And while your break up was as painful as a Donald Trump press conference, I'd be lying if I said I didn't see it coming. For years you've been threatening to leave. The grass always seemed greener to you in another state, environmentally speaking.

I saw your texts to Colorado and the multiple phone calls to an Atlanta area code. Never mind that Atlanta is as outdoorsy as the Kardashians. I even saw your Facebook search history where you were checking out salacious pictures of Las Vegas. Really?!  That Jezebel?!  Read More about this broken love affair...

Bear Essentials: Feb. 19-25, 2017

Remember what we’re fighting for

Graphic Design by Mark Bradford

“This will be our Best Chance to Make a Difference. . . Something as important as this deserves our best efforts.”  Joe B. Lyman  

----Feb. 25 is the deadline for final comments related to the county planning survey  http://sanjuancountyplan.org/  You can make comments on any of the specific categories that concern you

--If you have even the least inclination to do so, write and let your voice be heard.  We must support State and County Rights and management of public lands.  The media is being inundated by radical lefties from the “progressive” environmental community. Counteract their falsehoods.  In the Moab paper alone there were 3 such articles this week. I know it’s happening in every state with rural areas.  Step up, gather your facts, write, edit, and send. Just a handful of people cannot do it all.  If you need information, look at my blog there are ideas there to utilize in some way: https://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/ 

The article under “Good News Bears” also has good data to use.

--Newspapers to write to: Include your name and contact information

·                  Cortez Journal: news@cortezjournal.com

·                  Deseret News: letters@deseretnews.com

·                  Emery County Progress: editor@ecpross.cgreom

·                  Four Corners Free Press: freepress@fone.net

·                  Navajo Times: editor@navajotimes.com

·                  New York Times: letters@nytimes.com/editor

·                  Price Sun Advocate: editor@sunad.com

·                  Salt Lake Tribune: letters@sltrib.com

·                  San Juan Record: sjrnews@frontiernet.net

·                  skiggins@thespectrum.com

·                  Southern Utah News: sunews@kanab.net

·                  Moat Times Independent: editor@moabtimes.com

• Grand Junction: http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/submit_letter

--If you have not already done so, email our elected officials, letting them know you appreciate their efforts and remind them of the importance of State Sovereignty and our desire to rescind the Bears Ears National Monument designation.  On each email,, PLEASE 'cc'  Stewards of San Juan at SOS@stewardsofsanjuan.org. We will compile all emails sent and will be able to show the amount of support to anyone that says otherwise. Thank you!! 

Starting Tuesday Feb. 21, we encourage you to call our beleaguered Congressmen and elected officials.  We need to let them know how we are supporting them. They continue to be attacked by those who think “you can buy anything with money.”

Governor Gary R. Herbert
constituentservices@utah.gov

 801-538-1000

Utah Senator Mike Lee
mike_lee@lee.senate.gov

(202) 224-5444

 Utah Senator Orrin Hatch

 (202) 224-5251
john_tanner@hatch.senate.gov
(this is his Chief of Staff who delivers messages to Hatch

Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz
Chaffetz@gmail.com

202) 225-7751

House Speaker Greg Hughes
greghughes@le.utah.gov

Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox
spencercox@utah.gov

New State BLM Director: Edwin Roberson

Share some of your specific concerns, and your love of the land with him.

He’s new and doesn’t know much about San Juan from “real” people

801-539-4010

eroberso@blm.gov 

Good News Bears

“Public policy should never be made in response to boycotts and threats, especially when it won’t have any real impact. [i.e. Outdoor Retailers]

Utah will still have a strong outdoor economy. Tourists will still come. We’ll have a stronger energy economy. We will protect Bears Ears. We are protecting and will continue to protect Utah’s iconic land and landscapes. We will continue to collaborate with the federal government, which certainly has a role in public land management.”

The outdoor retailers say they are leaving Utah because we don’t care about our public lands. Here is a list of items put together by the Governor’s Office outlining Utah’s commitment to public lands: 

§  Utah has the largest active watershed and wildlife habitat restoration program in the United States. The Utah Legislature has partnered with local hunters and the federal government to invest approximately $14 million annually for conservation, and we have restored more than 1.3 million acres since 2005. As of 2016, nearly 500 agencies, organizations, and individuals had contributed to these projects through funding or in-kind assistance.

§  There are currently 253 additional conservation projects underway, which include the rehabilitation and restoration of more than 265,000 acres. Six current and three proposed projects (over 9,000 acres in total) are within the new Bears Ears National Monument area. Another 139 projects and 185,000 acres have been proposed for treatment.

§  Read more about Utah’s commitment to public land and use in your letters.

--House Oversight pushes for probe of ethics breaches, possible crimes of BLM bully Dan Love

The investigation of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) agent, Dan Love, has been ongoing and complex. With a history of complaints against Love of bullying, overly-aggressive tactics, ethics violations, and now, tampering, lies, and cover-ups, it appears that the most infamous figure in recent BLM history is now under the scrutiny of Congress’ most powerful investigative arm. The House Oversight Committee, headed by Jason Chaffetz, cites extremely serious, potentially-criminal activities, that go beyond Love’s ethics breaches related to the Burning Man controversy of 2015, or his extreme mishandling of the Operation Cerberus and Bundy Ranch cases. Love’s possible criminal activities include; destruction of federal records, witness tampering, and obstruction of a congressional investigation.  Read More

   Bad News Bears

--Environmentalists Leave ‘Ecological Disaster’ At Protest Camp in North Dakota – Gov. Declares Disaster

“The environmental activists protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline have created such an “ecological disaster” at their protest camp that the North Dakota governor has ordered an emergency evacuation.   When thousands of protesters gathered at the Oceti Sakowin camp to protest the pipeline left in December, they left behind enough trash to fill up 2,500 pickup trucks, LifeZette is reporting.

The activists were there for months, first arriving in April to protest the pipeline’s construction. Their objection that a peak or spill could contaminate nearby waterways. But it appears their own protests have jeopardized the environment far more than any pipeline.”  Read more

--A Look at the Opposition:   An group called the Resources Legacy Fund
(www.resourceslegacyfund.org/<http://www.resourceslegacyfund.org/>) Is
pouring money into the Bears Ears National Monument with funding largely
provided by:

*         The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

*         Wyss Foundation

*         Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation

*         Wilburforce Foundation

The money pot being used for the purpose is called the Bears Ears National
Monument Community Engagement Fund at Resources Legacy Fund.

(For e-mail recipients) I'll attached the Resources Legacy Fund's Consolidated Financial
Statements for the years  2015 and 2014 so that you can see what kind of money we are talking
about here. I hope someone will dissect it and write an article related to the millions used, to fund such things, probably at taxpayer’s expense.
Consider this is in in combination with previous foundation funding, and factoring in the number of outdoor equipment manufacturers that are announcing boycotting of the semi-annual outdoor show in Salt Lake City in protest of the opposition to the Bears Ears National Monument and we can see how critically important BENM is to the environmental/progressive community as a whole.  Bears Ears is sizing up as the linchpin of the day for the public lands battle between the left “progressives” and the citizens of the rural American west. This explains their goals. http://resourceslegacyfund.org/programs/bears-ears-fund/

The attack is mounting because the adversary has millions to put into this campaign against truth. We only have agency and truth to fortify us. Stay Informed, write and call often. Encourage others to do so also.  Share this e-mail with others.   Thank you for all you have done and your commitment to help.  If you can’t help, let me know and I’ll take you off this email group.  I only have room for 500, and we need warriors.

Patagonia, and other Fun-hoggery Outdoor Retailers Boycott Utah; Yet Utah Remains the Supreme Outdoor Public Lands State

The 2017 Outdoor Retailers Boycott sounds like spoiled children lost in the wilderness and crying about it!  There is not a state that cares more about public lands, than Utah.   It is ironic that outdoor retailers are boycotting Utah for our failure to support lifestyles of the rich, and sometimes famous.   Bears Ears (temporarily) National Monument is the focal point of this boycott.  Most people in San Juan County are against the heavy handed and very expensive, media driven promotion of this new public "playground."  Utah's position against yet another huge monument, is not for lack of public land support, but distrust of a debt-ridden Federal Government that cannot care for the land.  

"Public policy should never be made in response to boycotts and threats, especially when it won’t have any real impact on those most affected.

Utah will still have a strong outdoor economy-- with or without Patagonia, et al.  Tourists will still come --  sometimes to the detriment of Public Lands. We’ll continue have a strong energy economy. We will protect Bears Ears. We are protecting and will continue to protect Utah’s iconic land and landscapes. We will continue to collaborate with the federal government, which certainly has a role in public land management.

The outdoor retailers say they are leaving Utah because we don’t care about our public lands. Here is a list of facts put together by the Governor’s Office outlining Utah’s commitment to public lands:

• Utah has the largest active watershed and wildlife habitat restoration program in the United States. The Utah Legislature has partnered with local hunters and the federal government to invest approximately $14 million annually for conservation, and we have restored more than 1.3 million acres since 2005. As of 2016, nearly 500 agencies, organizations, and individuals had contributed to these projects through funding or in-kind assistance.
• There are currently 253 additional conservation projects underway, which include the rehabilitation and restoration of more than 265,000 acres. Six current and three proposed projects (over 9,000 acres in total) are within the new Bears Ears National Monument area. Another 139 projects and 185,000 acres have been proposed for treatment.
• Many of our 43 State Parks could be national parks in other states. Based on their management alone, it is abundantly clear that Utahans greatly value these beautiful areas. Per acre, our state parks get more visitors that our national parks, but they do not run the maintenance deficits that occur with our national parks; they are financially much more stable.
• Utah State Parks runs grant programs such as Rivers Trails Projects and the Land Water Conservation Fund. They also have a review committee that includes a diverse group of land managers and outdoor industry professionals. These projects enhance trails in and around our federal lands. Gov. Herbert’s latest budget proposal includes $1 million for the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant.
• 67% of Utah land is federally-owned, and that doesn’t include our 43 state parks. All of these areas are supported by exceptional employees and gateway communities, who dedicate countless hours to enhancing outdoor recreation. More than 35 million acres are open to the public.
• When the federal government shut down in 2013, no other governor in the country stepped up like Gov. Herbert did to reopen the national parks. His actions demonstrated his support, not only for the rural economies that rely on parks but for the visitors coming from around the world. To date, Utah taxpayers have not been reimbursed by the federal government for the full cost incurred to reopen our national parks.
• Gov. Herbert was the first governor in the nation to create an Office of Outdoor Recreation. A state full of outdoor enthusiasts, Utah continues to lead the way in community, city, county and national involvement when it comes to recreation planning—whether on private, state or federal lands.
• We recently expanded our annual Outdoor Recreation Summit, which now hosts three regional summits across the state in Ogden, Moab and Cedar City, to address the outdoor industry, regional concerns, and create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone from manufactures to land managers to build relationships. The result is better working relationships and improved close-to-home outdoor recreation.
• With a $21 million budget, the Utah Office of Tourism plays an integral role in supporting and branding Utah’s federal lands. These efforts have promoted outdoor recreation like no other state in the nation, resulting in double-digit growth for both state and national parks year over year for the last three years.
• The State of Utah has provided more than $3 million in post-performance tax incentives to outdoor recreation businesses located or with business operations in Utah.
• Utah created the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Board, the first of its kind in the nation, and filled it with state and federal land managers, local advocacy groups of all types, retailers, and manufactures.
• The state works monthly with all national park superintendents to help create plans that provide the best possible visitor experience. We also partner with advocacy groups that do everything from helping underprivileged youth get outside to partnering with federal land managers to build sustainable trails.
• Utah State Parks has private business ventures and partnerships with over 230 contractors to provide goods and services that enhance the outdoor experience at our 43 state parks
• On the other hand if you want to know whose products not to buy?  Start with:  Peak Designs. Polartec, Arc’teryx, Chaco Sandals, Wigwam, and Patagonia.  They're in it for the money,
  
   often to the detriment of 3rd world countries where labor is cheap.

Bluff proposing to Incorporate --Three times the size of Blanding

"The size of Bluff's service area is proposed to be approximately 38 square miles and takes in the Bluff Bench. It runs from Recapture to Comb Ridge. In comparison, Blanding has 2.4 square miles of build-able area and another 8 square miles of open space for a total of approximately 11 square miles. Anyone know any legitimate reason Bluff needs the property on the Bluff bench and such a wide expanse of "city" space?  

http://www.sjrnews.com/view/full_story/27364775/article-Bluff-collecting-signatures-for-incorporation-process?instance=home_news_left

Suit Against Editor of Canyon Zephyr Jim Stiles Dismissed

Stewards of San Juan representatives supported Jim Stiles and his wife yesterday at court in Moab. He was accused of defaming the former Moab City Manager. We were relieved when the suit was dismissed by Judge Anderson. Jim has been a huge help to us via his articles in the Canyon Zephyr regarding Bears Ears and its future.  Here are some of the articles in the newest issue: 

Bears Ears Post Mortem

The Unspoken Bears Ears Goal: Creating an Urban New West

Shakey Ground for Journalists and Freedom of the Press: But is Anything New?