Seasons and Times are a Changin'/ Bear Essentials 9/12/2019

Happenings in the West
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SJC Transparency in action

Recording of 9/4 SJC Commission work meeting

Recording of 9/4/ SJC Commission Meeting

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Agenda for Sept 17 Commission Meeting at bottom of page (in Monticello)

~~ Spanish Valley Residents Push Back on Commercial Development

~~Freedom of Information Act Search-- Requires Patience and Longevity

Kudos to Jim Stiles and Bill Keshlear for their tenacious digging!

~~ Six Candidates Move On in Moab City Council Race

~~ Utah Launches Optional Gun Safety Program in Schools

~~ Trust and Training Range Land Exchange in SW Utah 

 Counting the Costs

~~ Proponents investigate Splitting the State of Washington  

Some believe "splitting Washington would be a win-win scenario for rural conservatives who live east of the Cascade Range and urban liberals who live in western Washington."

~~ BLM Purchases Private Land to Better Protect Desert Tortoise

~~ Climate Change A Power Grabbing Scam  Free Range Report

~~ Counties Demanding Federal Land Reimbursement 

~~ Judge Rejects SUWA's Involvement in Kane County Public Lands Case

San Juan Record: 

      "This landmark case will move forward, but with a significantly limited role for SUWA after Waddoups wrote, “SUWA has no legal right to be in this case.”

“It was clear SUWA had the intent to take a lead role in this litigation – a lead to which it had no right to take,” Waddoups writes. “A lead that could well harm the actual parties who do have a right to be before the court.”
       The judge stated that SUWA filed actions that delayed progress on the case. In fact, it was SUWA’s role in delaying the case that may have triggered Judge Waddoup’s ire. The judge writes of one particular instance, “For over two years, Plaintiffs’s time and resources were taxed as they addressed SUWA’s defense before the Utah Supreme Court on an argument that ultimately was struck down as absurd.”

~~ All Things NAC -Confronts Maryboy's Fake History Concerning Bears Ears 

~~ Blanding City Council Takes Official Stance on Civility in Meetings

~~ Science Should Take Precedence Over Political Agendas

~~ Separate Town Hall Meetings Address Simmering Controversies

~~ BLM Renovating/ Upgrading Virgin River Recreation Area

~~ $4 Million in Drugs Seized on New Mexico Reservation

~~ Grand Staircase Plan Developing In Spite of LItigation

~~ NTEC Purchases 3 Coal Mines in Wyoming

~~ How Tribal Sovereignty Really Works,  by Jack Ahasteen

"How Tribal funding REALLY WORKS...

As President Jonathan Nez stated before the US Congressional Committee on Appropriations which regulates expenditures of money by the government of the United States,
"....the Navajo Nation seeks to strengthen the sacred trust relationship and Assist the Navajo Nation in furtherance of self-sufficiency and tribal sovereignty...."

Sovereignty?....funded by the American tax payer??? How is that possible when the annual tribal budget is completely dependent on the US taxpayer?"

~~ Liberal Activists Work to Change the Color of Conservative States

"Outside groups are organizing an army of liberal activists around the country to campaign for local races in states where they don't live. Organizers said the spending is strategic, honing in on states and specific seats where they can have the most significant effect. The top targets include Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina."

"To Coloradans, the strategy looks familiar. Republicans almost entirely controlled the state power structure until 2004. That's when a group of four wealthy Colorado Democrats — Tim Gill, Rutt Bridges, Jared Polis, and Pat Stryker — teamed up with political strategist Al Yates on a plan to transform the local politics. According to a 2008 article by the Washington Examiner's Fred Barnes, the group targeted vulnerable Republican incumbents, creating pop-up activist groups drawing on support from labor unions and national liberal organizations. The project was a success. That cycle, Democrats won control of both chambers of the general assembly for the first time in over four decades. Two years later, they upped their spending and won the governor's office. The total tab for securing state control was reported to be $9.5 million, which was less than the average expenditure on a successful U.S. Senate campaign, but an enormous amount for state elections."

~~ Johnny Depp's Dior "Sauvage" Ad Draws Ire of Native Tribes

~~ Utah Dineh Bikeyah Intent on Playing the Racial Card

"“Anglo residents in San Juan County have learned that when dealing with conflict-avoiding cultures like the Ute or Diné peoples, who live according to principles of reciprocity, that aggressive, intimidating, loud and bullying behaviors work,” Benally said. “In most other border towns, Native Americans are treated respectfully, but in Blanding we are treated like outsiders.”

~~ Biased Reporting Stifles Truth in San Juan County

~~ House of Representatives Working to Cripple America's Oil Supply

~~ Couple Writes Graffiti in Tribal Area, then Posts on Instagram

~~ Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Faces Growing Suicide Rate for Youth

~~ Ribbon Cutting in Cameron, Snubs Some Groups

~~ Two Serious Accidents on Moab's Main Street

~~ Zions Overcrowded for Labor Day Weekend

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Sept. 17 Commission Meeting agenda 117 South Main Street, Monticello

9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. Follow up discussion with Library Director regarding a possible property tax increase for the library fund - Pat Smith, Library Director
2. Discuss McElmo Creek Bridge repair agreement with NDOT - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
3. Review amendment to Road Agreement with USFS for emergency road repairs - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
4. Review an application for San Juan County Planning & Zoning Commission - Walter Bird, SJC Planning & Zoning
5. Discuss Planning Issues in the Spanish Valley Area - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
6. Discuss Maintenance / Building Issues - Monty Perkins, SJC Maintenance
7. Discuss comments to be sent to various federal agencies regarding the designation of a part of the west-side regional energy corridor through San Juan County - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
8. Updates - Jerry McNeely
9. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. A RESOLUTION POSTPONING DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF WATER REVENUE AND REFUNDING BONDS AND PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION AND POSTING OF NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND NOTICE OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED.
4. Approve Comments to be sent to various federal agencies regarding the designation of a part of the west-wide regional energy corridor through San Juan County - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
5. Ratify amendment to road agreement with USFS for emergency Road Repairs - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
6. Approve McElmo Creek Bridge repair agreement with NDOT -  Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works
7. Approve Planning & Zoning Commission Member - Walter Bird, Planning & Zoning
8. Out of State Travel request - Linda Simmons, SJC EMS Director
9. Approve Board of Equalization Recommendations - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk & Greg Adams, SJC Assessor
10. Beer License Renewal - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
11. Commission Reports
12. Executive Session to Discuss Pending or Imminent Litigation

"Be Nice" Revival -- Following Divisiveness in Meetings Bear Essentials 8/30/2019

Life Beyond the Wasatch Front

~~ Incendiary Provocations Close Doors, Undermine Bridge Building

~~ Election Integrity: America's Biggest Issue

~~ New York Times Trying to Rewrite History to Fit Its Biases

~~ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Loves to Hate the Electoral College

~~Massive Rock Fall in Zions Injures Three Hikers

~~ Commissioners United in Ending Lawsuit Concerning Redistricting

~~ Two Town Hall Meetings held Recently: Monticello and Mexican Water

    The objective and balanced reporting in this KUER article is appreciated.

~~ New Dinosaur Dig South of White Mesa  KUER

"Just south of Blanding, researchers are excavating seven giant dinosaur vertebrae. They are part of a 70-foot-long diplodocus skeleton that will be on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County."

~~ Patagonia Shame Patch/ Public Lands Council 

     The Public Lands Council iron-on clothing patches are designed to cover the logo on Patagonia merchandise and cure “Patagonia Shame.” These patches were developed in response to the profit-driven marketing efforts of multinational retail corporation Patagonia, who promoted false claims about national monuments in the wake of the recent decision to appropriately scale Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante.

Visit http://publiclandscouncil.org/ to get your patch today!

~~ Gavin Noyes Claims Concerning Cultural and Political Divide: 

 "The issue is that the white people live in the north, and the Native American people live in the south, and those are two different worlds that don’t interact."

~~ Accusations from M. Maryboy Fly in the Face of Open Meeting Concept

  Quotes from Mark Mayboy's rant at Aug. 23 meeting, Mexican Water Chapter House 

Here are a few moments from Mark Maryboy's unprovoked rant at the Mexican Water chapter of the Navajo Nation Aug 23 during a town-hall meeting (comments were directed at a handful of San Juan County residents – of group members only one was male, several were Navajo – who drove down from the northern part of county).

Maryboy was scheduled to talk about water rights at the meeting, according to its agenda (below). He went off script. Two reporters were there – Zak Podmore, from The Salt Lake Tribune, and Kate Groetzinger, from KUER radio in Salt Lake City. Both have access to national media. It's likely Maryboy knew they were there and would report his every word.

Maryboy is a board member of the Salt Lake City-based activist group Utah Dine Bikeyah and Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and a long-time advocate of creation of Bears Ears National Monument. He's been quoted extensively as an authoritative source in hundreds of regional and national reports published by the nation's most prominent news outlets.

* Navajos on the BLM's Bears Ears advisory committee are "tame Indians" just trying to get something from "white Mormons."

* To a questioner who suggested she and Maryboy might be related through an aunt: "She's too ugly to be related to me."

* “All I can say is that you have an idiot aunt,” Maryboy used that adjective several times.

* A question on November's ballot about possibly changing the way county commissioners are selected came from "racist Mormons from Blanding and Monticello."

* The petition was pandering to "illiterate" Navajos.

* “Red-neck Mormons is what they are … They are probably all members of the Ku Klux Klan.”

* “Which part of the Ku Klux Klan do you belong to?”

* “If they don’t let the Navajos (govern) … all I can say is go back to Missouri where you came from.”

~~ Zak Podmore's SL Trib's Version of the Mexican Water Meeting Aug 21

Response by Nicole Perkins after reading his article: " 

"I didn't know that Zak was a such an adept gymnast. He has really mastered those backflips and somersaults, twists and handsprings as he carefully danced and twirled his way oh so delicately around Mark and his rantings. Fascinating performance with quick turnabouts as he savagely painted a red target on the back of a Navajo lady with such masterly, dastardly precision. I give it a 10 for his fairytale performance but sadly a 1 for actual journalism."

~~ Worsening Road Conditions on the Navajo Reservation

~~ Is Johnny Depp's "Sauvage" Perfume Ad Appropriate Use of Sacred Land?

~~"Facebook Bias Regarding Conservative Views, Alive and Well"

~~ Hikers Have Adverse Effect on Elk

~~ SL Tribune Gehrke Spews Racist Remarks about San Juan County

          Does this look like San Juan County is Racist? We (Hispanic, Navajo, Anglo, Ute) all joined together in 2016 because of what was being done to us and our county because of Pres. Obama's excessive declaration of a 1.9 M acre Nat'l Park...7/27/2016 Senator Lee and other State officials spoke and people from all walks of life, and cultures spoke and were listened to.

~~ Old News in case you missed it: Conservation in the West/ Nat'l Geographic Article: 

“It is encouraging and inspiring to see Congress renew America’s long, bipartisan tradition of conserving lands, wildlife, and waters, bolstering rural economies, and guaranteeing public access to the outdoors for the enjoyment of all,” said Molly McUsic, president of the Wyss Foundation, whose founder the Jackson Hole, Wyoming-based businessman Hansjörg Wyss announced last autumn that he was giving $1 billion to the cause of conservation. Wyss and McUsic are hopeful that strong support for the Dingell Act might serve as a wakeup to the Trump administration in realizing that environmental protection is a winning position. This passed in March, and affected several parts of Utah

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Description/Agenda: SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING Sept. 3, 2019

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING - COMMISSION ROOM
AGENDA

  9:00 A.M. Work Meeting

1. San Juan Stampede Update - Karah Nay, Rodeo Director
2. Review of Draft Agreement between the Bureau of Land Management and San Juan County regarding law enforcement services - Sheriff Torgerson
3. Briefing regarding a possible request for a Library Fund tax increase for 2020 - Pat Smith, Library Director
4. Review a request to purchase a truck for the Public Works Department - Ben Mussselman, Public Works Director
5. Discuss contract modifications with the U.S. Forest Service regarding cattle guard installation and certain road treatments - Ben Musselman, Public Works Director
6. Discuss a resolution authorizing outside legal counsel to file cross-appeals to 2019 appeals filed by taxpayers subject to central assessment - Kendall Laws, SJC Attorney
7. Discussion of a possible employee compensation study - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
8. Follow up Discussion of a resolution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
9. Updates - Jerry McNeely, SJC Liason
10. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Accept the 2018 financial audit findings - Jon Haderlie, Larsen and Company
4. Approve new pay schedule for sworn officers in the Sheriff's Office - Jason Torgerson, SJC Sheriff
5. Approve the Public Works Department truck purchase -Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works Director
6. Approve contract modifications with U.S. Forest Service regarding cattle guard installation and certain road treatments - Ben Musselman, SJC Public Works Director
7. Out of State Travel - Paige Wray, USU Extension
8. Approve a letter of support for a SITLA range improvement project - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
9. ADOPTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF SAN JUAN COUNTY, ACTING AS THE GOVERNING BOARD OF MEXICAN HAT SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT, OF A PARAMETERS RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE BY MEXICAN HAT SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT OF A WATER REVENUE AND REFUNDING BOND IN AN AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $200,000 AND CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING RELATING THERETO
10. Approve a resolution authorizing outside legal counsel to file cross appeals to 2019 appeals filed by taxpayers subject to central assessment - Kendall Laws, SJC Attorney
11. Approve a resolution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
12. Commission Reports
13. Executive session to discuss pending or imminent litigation
14. Approve resolution designating individuals to participate in mediation on behalf of the Commission with regard to attorneys' fees owed to the Navajo Nation

Do You Suffer From PLES or Because of it?

PUBLIC LAND EXPANSION SYNDROME

By Kelly Green

Public land expansion syndrome is addictive and the continual craving for more and more territory is never ending.  Thus PLES continues to cause ongoing damage to America’s public lands and to nearby communities in rural Utah. To keep the expansion going and the addicts hooked on obtaining more and more land from the federal government, outdoor retailers have specific marketing strategies with the goal to increase profit and keep their product alive and well for the environmental crowd. They collaborate, join, and infiltrate various NGO’s by getting on boards to influence public opinion.  This strategy ensures that the goal of acquisition continues. 

By giving sizable donations to promote the expansion of public lands, these donations are then used as seed money with NGO’s, to entice people to come out and buy their products and subscribe to the organization. Bears Ears National Monument is the latest promotion focal point and companies like Patagonia, Black Diamond, and others, benefit financially in the fight to “ Stand with Bears Ears .” The eco minded crowd are enticed to buy these products not only as a status symbol, but to show solidarity for the environmental movement because they think they are helping the cause.

Propaganda to “ Protect “ the environment from the threat of climate change stirs strong emotional response among followers and they are eager to believe, without critically looking at all the facts. Photoshopped images showing out of control mining operations or oil wells pumping away next to pristine vistas are common advertising strategies. These false images and exaggerated articles (for advertising purposes) are used to attract new followers and also help bring in more donations from the general public. 

Utah Diné Bikeyah, Friends of Cedar Mesa, and Southern Wilderness Alliance have used oil well pump jacks cropped into local scenery to stir up environmental concerns. These organizations are encouraged to lobby for political favor.  In addition, they hire attorneys as legal experts who can then initiate litigation against County, State, and the federal government for cash settlements, attention, and slowing down any potential commercial activity. The constant pressure to fight these frivolous lawsuits has devastating effects upon local communities and counties who depend upon public land to live-- thus rural Utah has become a targeted casualty. Schools suffer, roads decay,  services diminish, and families suffer.

When questioned about the economic loss of existing industries in rural communities, the patent answer by these groups is usually "tourism is the way to economic prosperity because it is a cleaner industry." Escalante National Monument visitation has increased 63% over the last decade with 1.1 million visitors from October 2017 through September 2018, according to U.S. government figures. The impact visitors are having on the landscape is having devastating effects.  Prior to its designation, with other industries as the mainstay, the overall impact on the land was much less. 

Public Land Expansion Syndrome is a danger to rural America because the end result is the destruction of higher paying jobs and the unraveling of the social fabric that communities traditionally inherit through generational residency. Young people are forced to leave due to economic hardship. The Nonprofit hierarchy get rich by the legal actions they implement and rather than improve communities, they systematically destroy them. Escalante, and Moab, Utah are two classic examples of how this impacts communities. Neighbors to the south who reside near Bears Ears Country, are worried this same problem will occur for their communities.

Public Land Expansion Syndrome creates more problems than it solves. The Federal government cannot maintain and manage what they are currently responsible for. Budgetary shortfalls for basic infrastructure repairs are at the breaking point. Parks like Zions, Arches, Escalante National Monument, and other national treasures are all examples of overwhelmed spaces because people are coming in droves. The strain affects local communities in a negative manner because infrastructure is taxed beyond what can be provided.  This leaves local taxpayers to foot the bill. Ironically, in Moab, growth has exploded because wealthy investors are moving in from other states and buying up less expensive property and building expensive homes. This raises taxes and improves revenue, but sooner or later infrastructure costs for water and sewer are impacted beyond what they can provide and costs for growth is taking an ugly toll. 

Ironically, continual lobbying goes on for more and more, “ protected “ public land. Another tactic used for diverting the serious influx of people by the Public Land Expansion Syndrome crowd is to blame others. Users like 4x4 enthusiasts and UTV riders are identified as the problem. Those who sympathize with the NGO’s are often active in local politics and constantly lobby against those who use the roads and trails for motorized travel on public access. They constantly try to redefine what is appropriate and have no qualms about keeping out those with different recreational tastes from enjoying outdoor activities like camping and motorized travel. 

Public Land Expansion Syndrome is at the core of the problem. Changing the rules to allow only one type of user over another unfairly discriminates. Recently, Utah Congressman Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch  tried to change the rules,and they received a lot of criticism by both the environmental community and the motorized recreational users over this controversial bill. The 1964 Wilderness Act prohibits the use of any form of “mechanical transport” in wilderness areas-- keeping motorized vehicles like cars, dirtbikes, ATVs and aircraft out of these areas. The Congressmen proposed that non-motorized vehicles be allowed. The Human-Powered Travel in Wilderness Areas Act would give local land managers the discretion to allow mountain bikers into wilderness areas  However, this sets a dangerous precedent for discriminatory land use for all Americans. Here again, if allowed, more and more people will want to go into areas that have not had that level of increased human activity. Public Land Expansion Syndrome discriminates because gives preference to one user over another.

It is time to stop the fallacy that a tourist driven economy is cleaner and has less impact on the land than other industries. Tourism's exaggerated claim of being a better alternative has not panned out in terms of financial security and a better way of life for rural communities. The sustainable economies promised based on industrial tourism perpetuate poverty among the working class. Unintended consequences show that housing has become more expensive and wages fail to rise in meeting the demand for affordable shelter. Workers cannot bear the high expense to live in the communities they once thrived in. To compensate, businesses that operate in tourist heavy enclaves bring in foreign workers and provide seasonal work in dormitory type quarters that are unsuitable for families. Local home rental prices are beyond what is reasonably affordable so people work several jobs.

Quiet outlying areas are seeing rental property increase as workers move further and further away searching for more affordable housing. Traffic on two lane rural roads has increased exponentially as longer distances are now normal just to get to work. Some outspoken voices have advocated forced wage increase by business owners, but owners hesitate to do so as this jeopardizes their competitive edge and will drive tourists away. Tourism pays much less than what you find with other jobs in the private sector. Mom and Pop businesses struggle to find dependable help. Supply and demand for workers will continue to be a struggle because temporary seasonal workers are filling the gap for now.

Meanwhile, continual attacks on extraction industries such as mining, oil, logging, and ranching, continues from the Public Land Expansion Syndrome crowd. Eliminate the competition and you're the only game in town.  One business that has been overlooked or ignored as a bright spot in communities are small ranching and farming operations. In terms of direct impact, the industry is much cleaner and is more reliable long term. Generations of ranching and farming families have been able to thrive and continue a way of life that is truly sustainable and has much less overall Impact on surrounding public land. In today's world you will find such businesses scattered throughout America and especially in rural Utah. Joint collaboration between the ranchers and farmers with federal agencies have created sustainable jobs that provide income to families in a competitive market as compared to tourist jobs.

Another problem that Public Land Expansion Syndrome creates is the loss of useable lumber and wood gathering due to the devastation of fire. Juniper and other forest land is not able to be managed properly because various environmental organizations bring legal action to stop any kind of tree removal or management where insect blight needs to be controlled. This also affects wildlife as the loss of habitat kills hundreds of different species when out of control wildfire occurs.

The damage occurring on an environmental and societal level are a diversion to hide the ugly problems that Public Land Expansion Syndrome is causing. Non-Profit entities have created well paying jobs for themselves along with outdoor retail corporations but don't care what it does to rural communities. If it was once about protecting the land, that is no longer the case.

Kelly Mike Green
Lifelong resident of Southeastern Utah.

For more insight watch Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond: Managing the Environment

Angst in August Generates Involvement; Bear Essentials 8/17/2019

Be sure to come: Listen, Ask, Learn

~~ Agenda for Aug. 20 SJC Commission meeting in Bluff: 9 AM & 11 AM 

Bluff Community Center(3rd and Mulberry)

9: 00 AM 

1. Discuss potential changes to interlocal agreement between Bluff & San Juan County - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
2. Discussion about a future trash drop box site in Bluff - Randy Rarick, SJC  Landfill Manager
3. Briefing on the countywide special election taking place this November - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
4. Discussion of other issues in the Bluff area - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
5. Public lands updates - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting

1. Approval of minutes - August 6, 2019
2. Citizens' comments to the commission* (Please complete the request form - available at the door)
3. Consideration of the referability of an application for a ballot initiative submitted by San Juan County residents - John David Nielson, SJC Clerk
4. Approve new hires - Walter Bird, SJC HR Director
5. Discussion & possible approval of a sole source procurement for engineering services for cell closure for the County Landfill - Randy Rarick, SJC Landfill Manager
6. Discussion and possible approval for the Chair to sign a letter to the Bureau of Land Management with comments on the Canyon Rims Area Travel Management Plan - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
7. Discussion and possible approval of the Chair to sign a letter to the U.S. Forest Service regarding proposed rule changes - Nick Sandberg, SJC Planning
8. Discussion and possible approval of a resolution urging caution regarding oil and gas leasing on Bureau of Land Management lands near Hovenweep National Monument - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator
9. Discussion and possible approval of a resolution authorizing the Chair to enter into an employment agreement on behalf of San Juan County with the future San Juan County Administrator - David Everitt, SJC Interim Administrator

~~ SUWA's Frivolous Law Suit, Followed by Appeal to Ut. Supreme Court

~~ Utahans Say They Want the SL Tribune to Survive but Only 25% Read It 

~~ Looking for Common Ground With No Common Compass

~~ Fire Warnings in Colorado and SE Utah: Don't Burn Anything

~~ (Note to SL Tribune: Stop Bullying

~~SECRETARY BERNHARDT TRANSFORMS INTERIOR’S ETHICS PROGRAM 

~~ Accomplishments: Bernhardt's first 100 Days as Sec. Of Interior -- Video

~~ Canyon Zephyr Digs out Recapture Protest info: Spring 2014 Parts 1, 2, 3

~~ Secretary of Agriculture Announces: Changes to Heavy Handed Sage Grouse Controls  Aug. 1, 2019

    "Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul Gosar (AZ-04): "The Obama administration imposed one of the largest land grabs in American history under the guise of protecting the Greater sage-grouse, a species that isn’t even threatened or endangered. Their real motivation was to lockup as much land as possible, preventing multiple-use activities like oil and gas production, mining, and grazing in the process. The Greater sage-grouse was simply the means to their end as the bird’s habitat comprises 173 million acres in 11 Western States. Secretary Perdue’s announcement is welcome news as it is the third and final piece of the puzzle in terms of reining in the sage-grouse overreach of the previous administration. I applaud President Trump and his administration for treating Western states as partners instead of forcing their political agenda down our throats like the Obama administration."  

~~ Unrest with Adakai Leadership 

~~ Follow: San Juan's Monumental Divide - By Bill Keshlear

~~ Tourism Only Part of a Diverse Economy: Letter to the editor by Bill Haven

~~ Legal Fees Continue to Mount in Litigious Environment 

"The roosters at the Tribune would like to take credit for the sun coming up in the morning – 18 months after the sunrise!" They finally run a related story. The San Juan Record has been consistent in reporting the cost of defending freedoms in San Juan County. 1) From February, 2018 2)From January, 3) 2019 Read full story

~~ Free Range Report: SJC Commissioners, Face $500 A day Fine For Stonewalling GRAMA Request

~~ Nothing Obama Declared Was About Co-Management

~~Democrats’ Plan To Nationalize Land, Using Land and Water Conservation Fund

~~ Tourism Over-runs Antelope Canyon/ Page Arizona

~~ Navajo Nation Council in Gridlock over Renewable Resources

~~ Hurricane City Council Discusses the Lake Powell Pipeline Project

~~Trail of Tears Damage by Forest Service in Coker Creek still not fixed

~~ Black Market in Siberian Dinosaur Skulls?

Support Free Range Report

Digging Deeper for Solutions/ Bear Essentials 8/1/2019

Impacts on the West and San Juan County

San Juan River at Sunset by Jeri Maryboy

~~ San Juan County Fair Starts this Friday, Aug. 3

~~ Commissioners Vote to End Gerrymandering Appeal

~~ No Futher Action on Redistricting Appeal  KUER

~~ Supreme Court Decisions and Local Implications        

~~ Utah to Take More Prominent Role in Managing State    Forests

~~ Moab Bans New Lodging

~~Fowlks to lead Western Fish, Wildlife group

~~Bears Ears Summer Gathering

~~ Transfer of Fed BLM Office to the West: An Idea Whose Time Has Come 

"The BLM has never belonged in Washington DC. It manages 247 million acres, almost half of all public lands, and 700 million acres of mineral rights, with a unique mission. The National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Forest Service, for instance, all have very specific uses, but the BLM is tasked with managing its lands for multiple uses, in numerous categories and under a wide variety of laws.

That includes 18,000 grazing permits, 220 wilderness areas, 27 national monuments, 600 National Conservation Areas, 200,000 miles of streams, 2,000 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, 6,000 miles of National Scenic Trails, 63,000 oil and gas wells, 25,000 mines, and 50 million acres of forests. Not a square inch of that is in Washington, D.C. It is in 12 western states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. It has never made sense for the leadership to work 2,000 miles away, insulated by the inevitably different perspectives of life inside the Beltway."

~~  No Black and White Easy Solutions in San Juan County   Canyon Zephyr

~~ Native Woman Warns of Dangers of Socialism  Video

~~ Conservative Lawyer Named BLM Deputy Director of Policy 

"Pendley is a prolific author. Among his books is “Warriors for the West: Fighting Bureaucrats, Radical Groups, and Liberal Judges on America’s Frontier.” It chronicles the efforts of Western state leaders and residents to fight environmental laws, according to a profile of Pendley from the Property Rights Foundation of America.  Pendley is also wrote “War on the West: Government Tyranny on America’s Great Frontier” and “It Takes A Hero: The Grassroots Battle Against Environmental Oppression.”

~~ Moab/San Juan Needs a Truck Stop

~~ USDA To Help Fund Water System Upgrades in San Juan County

~~New Farm Bureau Agent in San Juan County

~~Photo/ Video Project Focuses on Navajo Shepherds

~~ Reliance on Foreign Mining/ Minerals Must End

~~ San Juan and Commissioners at at Monumental Divide  by Bill Keshlear

~~ Why We Can't Support Patagonia

~~ A "Hole" Lot of Problems with San Juan County Roads

~~ Getting to the Heart of the Recapture Canyon Debacle 

 . . ."I was interested in obtaining public documents related to the controversial “Recapture Canyon Protest Ride” on May 10, 2014. In fact, the story goes back even further, to 2006, when two San Juan County residents were accused and convicted of building an illegal ATV trail across public lands and damaging archaeological sites. The trail was closed by the BLM, subject to review.: Jim Stiles

~~ Grizzlies, Wolves, and Cattle Are a Poor Ecological Mix

~~ Environmental Groups Call for End of Uranium Waste in the West

~~ Federal Government Bungels Chaco Canyon Facility

~~ Environmentalists Blast SJC Bears Ears Management Plan

San Juan Record 7/31/2019

Celebrations, Census, Western Caucus, County Commission July 23--Bear Essentials 7/18/2019

Life in the Rural West

Monticello Set to Celebrate Pioneer Day

Photo by Karly Halls -- Monticello

~~SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING July 23, Monticello

11:00 A.M. Commission Meeting
1. Executive Session to Discuss Pending or Imminent Litigation
2. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision in Navajo Nation v. San Juan County Briefing & Possible Action

*San Juan County Commission can call a closed meeting at any time during the Regular Session*
 

~~ Farmers in Monticello Represented by Big Four in Pioneer Day Parade

~~ Canyon Country Discovery Center in Monticello Featured

~~ Four Reasons Why the Left is so Invested in the Census Debate

"A citizenship question was on the decennial census forms from 1820 to 1950. After that, it was only included on the long-form census form. In 2010, the question was removed entirely by the Obama administration. The question remains on the American Community Survey, an annual population canvass that the Census Bureau conducts."

~~Talks Underway with Utah Leaders to Strike Bears Ears Monument Deal 

~~ The Grand Staircase Story: Morality of Mining, No-compromise Environmentalists, Unreliable Sources"  by Bill Keshlear / Canyon Zephyr

~~  Grand Junction, Colorado Named as new BLM HeadQuarters; 

"Utah will gain 44 BLM staffers in a realignment that will move the agency's headquarters from Washington to Grand Junction, Colorado, the Department of Interior announced Tuesday."

~~ Western Caucus Hopeful About New BLM Location  in Colorado

~~ Record Breaking Economy Helping Those Who Need it Most

~~ Victory For Property Rights in Louisiana Related to Gopher Frogs!

~~ Living the American Dream Home Depot Co-Founder Defends Position

~~ Behind the Scenes of the Supreme Court Kavanaugh Confirmation 

~~ Science Supports Removing Grizzlies from Endangered Species List

~~  Push to End Dependence on Foreign Uranium Industry  Western Caucus

~~ Too Little, Too Late in "Clean Water Case" Against EPA Target

~~ Federal Appeals Court Upholds Prior Gerrymandering Decision

"Commissioner Bruce Adams, who supported the appeal, said he was disappointed with the ruling. “San Juan County appealed the initial decision of Judge Shelby because it split apart our most populated city, Blanding, and left them without representation. We went to the 10th Circuit looking for a more fair solution. The decision that came down today is very disappointing and disenfranchises a significant portion of our community,” he said in a statement.

~~ Dine' Bikeyah Activist, Garon Coriz, Dies in Climbing Accident

~~   AP Story on Coriz Rapelling Fall