Monday, July 10, 2017

Bear Essentials July 10, 2017

It was a Great 4th of July
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San Juan County Utah Information; To Do List This Week
n  Manti-LaSal Forest Service Hearings 5-7 PM this week
n  Public comments on the White Mesa Mill will be accepted through July 31.  E-mail to dwmrcpublic@utah.gov


n  The Department of Interior is accepting comments relative to National Monuments until July 10.  The opposition has amped up, and we must as well. Consider writing again.  https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001

n  San Juan County target of “Fake News”   Commissioner Phil Lyman (If links don’t open, hover over link, and select “copy link”, then paste in browser.)
n  Things to consider from a Kansas Compatriot:  If I were advising the county [on future Bears Ears decisions], I would encourage them to create two county maps - the first distinguishing surface-ownership, and the second identifying subsurface rights.  For the surface map, the county would identify all non-federal areas that have distinct ownership holdings, such as surface water collection basins, private lands, all utility corridors, RS 2477 Roads and, yes, grazing allotments.  (Gas can be used as a negotiating item later, but include them for now).
n  The second map would be subsurface holdings, such as water rights, mineral permits, utility stuff and the like.  The goal for the second map is to single out legitimate government holdings from other subsurface rights.
n  Once all the private items have been identified, mapped and their area(s) determined, the county would ideally alert all land holder to set aside in perpetuity access to all in holdings of private lands. From that point the project becomes one of mathematics and documentation The reason why this would be viable is it is consistent with both the FLPMA and AA.  The County has already set the stage for this by commissioning the STS report, (See Lines 211, 351, 615 and 844-873 of attached report).

With respect to prayer, Scripture says the "the prayers of a righteous man [woman] availeth  much."  Should be the first step. . . "

                                                                  
Good News Bears

n  BLM Wants to Streamline Review Planning Procedures   Des News Submit Input and ideas by July 24  Here’s How
n  4th of July Patriotic speech  by Wendy Black
 
Bad News Bears


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                                     Documenting Bears Ears “No Monument” efforts since July 2016

Thursday, July 6, 2017

~~ Bear Essentials ~ July 4, 2017 ~~

Thanks, Joy Howell!

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San Juan County Utah Information & To Do List

n  Phil Lyman & Wendy Black to speak at Mayor’s Breakfast July 4, 7:30 AM
n  Manti-LaSal Forest Service Hearing Blanding July 13, library 7-9PM
n  Public comments on the White Mesa Mill will be accepted through July 31.      E-mail to dwmrcpublic@utah.gov
n  The Department of Interior is accepting comments relative to National Monuments until July 10.  The opposition has amped up, and we must as well. Consider writing again.  https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=DOI-2017-0002-0001

                                                                 
 

Good News Bears

n  Cows Vindicated in Panguitch because of Autumn Buttercup  [Reminds me of Ferdinand the bull, who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights.]
                                          
 


Bad News Bears
n  Brian Head Fire Caused by Mismanagement Rep. Mike Noel comments
n  Environmental NGO’s Continue to Cripple America  Shake, Rattle, & Troll: “Arizona is plagued with “environmentalist NGO’s, the CBD, Sierra Club, Lobo of the Southwest, Guardians of the Earth”

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                                     Documenting Bears Ears “No Monument” efforts since July 2016


Wednesday, July 5, 2017

In the Spirit of Independence Day ~~ A Salute To Patrick Henry

As an 11th grade English teacher, it was always a challenge to make literature from the 1700's and 1800's relevant and meaningful to teenagers, but once-in-a-while it happened.  A couple of times my 11th grade classes were blessed to have former San Juan County Commissioner, Bill Redd, come to San Juan High and talk to students about Patrick Henry, the Bill of Rights, and then he shared Henry's famous speech.  Bill was a scholar of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and even dressed up for the part! 



 Because of recent San Juan County land battles and the local push back from the heavy handedness of government bureaucracies, I think you'll find it interesting to compare the similarities.  This is a reenactment of a significant and important milestone in United States history and Patrick Henry was one of the firebrands who helped change the course of history.  There are many parallels with the situation we face in San Juan County, as we contemplate the disparity faced by Western States. I hope you'll take the time to watch this excellent performance.  

Patrick Henry's historic speech dramatized during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Taken from the 22 minute 1936 short film "Give Me Liberty" which starred John Litel as Patrick Henry (Published on Feb 15, 2010) 

Fast forward to Cassy Moon's Family reunion where her 98+ year-old aunt shared Patrick Henry's Speech .  She had much of the original speech memories and recited it.  Hope this will wake up your brain, and zest for patriotism. The ideas are sill very relevant in today's world. 

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Independence Day Patriotic Speech in Blanding


Given by Wendy Black July 4, 2017 and Mayor's Breakfast. Centennial Park, Blanding, Utah                  
Good Morning and Happy Independence Day. 

In preparing to speak today, I found this saying: "You can't separate peace from independence because no one can be at peace unless he has his independence."
We as humans are in a constant state of always trying achieve our individual independence. We start when we are infants, trying to roll over, to crawl, to stand up, to walk and to talk, then we move on in this quest to dress ourselves, feed ourselves and bath ourselves, we learn to ride a bike and then to drive a car. 

Hopefully, soon afterwards, we are ready to move out on our own. Then as adults, we work to gain our financial independence, through going to school and building careers. We hopefully have learned to be good and responsible citizens in our process to gain our independence.  We finally feel that we have arrived at our total freedom as individuals. Right???

We on this North American Continent should never forget that the men and women who first crossed the Atlantic came here not to find soil for their plows but came here to find independence for their souls.  Our Independence from England is the reason for this holiday. Some of you may not know that in 1776 there were many in the Continental Congress, and throughout the colonies, who were not all that happy about breaking away from Britain. They were afraid of change, afraid to lose the financial backing of the crown. The radicals who were ready for a break from Britain needed to light a fire under those who were still reluctant to act. Thomas Paine wrote and published a pamphlet called, “Common Sense.”  It was the first work to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. This publication was bought and read by more people than watch the Superbowl today. It had the largest sale and circulation of any book published in American history. As of 2006, it remained the all-time best selling American title, and is still in print today. Because of the vision of great men like Thomas Paine the United States is an icon of independence to the world. 


We, in San Juan County, have had some experience in both resistance and fear of losing our independence through this fight against a National Monument.  We thought we were living in safety. We were hidden in our little corner of the world.  We had all of the bliss and comfort we needed. We felt we did not need to pay attention.  We assumed that we didn’t need to speak out, after all we are just a small community. How much noise could we ever really make? How much change could we really affect? Why should we need to fight for our freedom? That was being taken care of by government people doing their jobs.  Such as the BLM and the FOREST SERVICE. Not to say we don’t love our government employed neighbors; after all they are just doing their jobs. The heads of these departments on the other hand -- they may need some guidance and if we don’t give it to them, THEN who will?  The ENVIRONMENTALISTS will! THE GREEN MACHINES will, and THE OUTDOOR COMPANIES will. 

A year ago, we decided that we, as a county could no longer be reluctant to act. Modern day radicals knew that we had to light that fire, no matter how small we felt. We had to stand up tall and strong or we would lose our independence-- Our independence to love our land the way we have for generations; Our independence to choose our livelihood; Our independence to have our communities grow the way that 
WE choose; Our independence to enjoy our own backyard doing what we want like camping, fishing, hunting, gathering, sight seeing, hiking, and gathering for family reunions.

So we, Navajos, Utes, Anglos, and Hispanics alike, took to our computers and wrote many, many letters and commented on many, many editorials. We were often texting, tweeting, and instagramming each other and others at 1 and 2 in the morning since that’s when we had time to write and comment. We stood behind our local leaders who were already fighting for rural Utah to be heard. We stood tall and proud at opposition rallies and our own celebrations. Because of the unity of the small communities of San Juan County, we have become an icon to the United States in our fight for our independence and control of our own public lands.  We have won many battles over the past year, but we are still in a huge war.

This Fourth of July, we might find ourselves barbecuing, congregating with loved ones and enjoying our precious free time. But it is also a time to step back, take stock and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy every day from living in this country. It is a time to appreciate just how we gained this independence and to remember those who have fought for and are still fighting to preserve it. Our brave men and women in uniform and those that fight for our independence that are not in uniform.  Such as our brave local leaders, PHIL LYMAN, BRUCE ADAMS, and REBECCA BENALLY and don’t forget our state leaders, Mike Noel, David Hinkins, Governor Herbert and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, Mike Lee, Jason Chaffetz, Rob Bishop and Senator Hatch and many more.
  
The most patriotic men and women may be the ones who go in the direction that they think is right even when they see the world is against them. They are leaders who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the path of honor and duty. Do not blame others if they do not agree with you. Instead appreciate that we have the freedom to express ourselves and embrace our differences. Be happy that you have tried and succeeded in being patriotic.

I am so proud to be part of this community and the efforts that have been made to secure our independence. Give yourselves a huge applause. 
And finally,  I want to say: This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

Cemetery on the Navajo Reservation where Native Patriots are always remembered

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Letter to Blanding City Council Relative to Bears Ears

Dear Mayor and City Council members,

      There are several things I neglected to say last night at City Council; primarily, thank you for allowing input from Blanding citizens in two open forums, and even an opportunity for an out-of-towner to speak last night.  Anna Tom from McCracken Mesa is a person we have worked very closely with, as well as her mother, Betty Jones.  They have been fire brands in the battle, as councilman Lyman sometimes alludes to.  I don’t know if you attended the arena theater meeting in June 2016, where state Representative Mike Noel spoke?  If you didn’t then, you probably don’t understand the passion that was generated that night.  When I entered the arena theater there were at least 30-40 Native Americans on the East side.  Anna was one of them and I wondered then, what their position was.  I even said to Dara Bayles (who is also Navajo), “What side do you think they are on?“

Well, as the meeting progressed, I learned that they knew a heck of a lot more about government regulations, and false promises that I did.  It was an eye opener, and a motivational event, which threw a lot of unlikely people together, and we’re still together a year later with a long list of parades, meetings, SLC trips, rallies, and hearings behind us. If you were there, then you would understand why we were so upset with the “cave in” suggestion regarding Bears Ears Tuesday night.

I share that, because some of you may think Bears Ears is just a Blanding issue. It is not. The overreach of the Antiquities Act has affected at least a dozen states.  We have allies throughout the nation, and especially in the west.  This is much more than just a battle over a monument. As a county we drew a line in the sand, that says we are against federal overreach via EPA, Environmental lawsuits, threats, rampant bureaucracy, government decisions based on global goals, not on local needs.  When states no longer have state's rights, and counties only have 8% private land, we are only a facade of freedom.  Constitutional illegalities affect multiple states, and those states also look hopefully for what may happen with Bears Ears following the Review Period.  I hope all of you wrote and shared your concerns and ideas.  If you haven't, you should.  This is NOT over yet.    

In my remarks, Tuesday, I referred to an article by Jim Stiles; in fact, he has written many well researched articles about Bears Ears.  There are a few by him that would “Bear” reading as they apply to our current and future situations.  Though an unlikely ally. Jim has gone out of his way to help Stewards of San Juan on several occasions and he is a journalist I actually trust to tell the truth. (Which is why his name has been in the Moab paper a lot). I hope you will read these, so you understand why this controversy, has larger ramifications than just Bears Ears and a possible promotion plan for Blanding.

3. Public Lands History and Future: Good background info if you don’t know what’s happened in the past. http://www.canyoncountryzephyr.com/2016/12/05/bears-ears-chronicles-a-public-lands-history-the-future-by-jim-stiles/
5.  With the help of Jim I wrote this expose of Environmental NGOS last year and where their money comes from. https://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/2017/03/oh-what-tangled-web-we-weave-when-first.html

Each week I read anywhere from 15-25 articles related to some facet of Bears Ears, Government agencies, Public Lands, or Environment.  Some of you have received a weekly Bear Essentials newsletter from me, which focuses on things we need to do, plus a dozen or so of the most relevant articles: broken down into Good News Bears and Bad News. Of course, you have to push the link, and then read the article to be informed.  I’m sorry you may not have gotten them. I should have sought out all city council members early on, but went with e-mails of people who signed up at the Mike Noel meeting last June and the Senate Hearing in July.  I often hear from Mr. Ogle and Mr. Lyman.  I have counted on family members to share information, as I'm limited to 500 emails.  I also maintain and keep current a Bears Ears Blog, https://beyondthebears.blogspot.com/. So there are plenty of ways to stay informed on this issue, if a person cares.  On the Save the Bears Ears secret FB page there are over 2500 members, who have kept this issue alive, and have had the passion to write, read, speak, and do.  These are not people who enjoyed fighting, but who care deeply about this country and San Juan County. I am so thankful for their efforts.  Were it not for technology, combined with a just cause, this issue would have been dead in the desert long ago, and we’d be looking at those brochures you want to design, wondering what happened to Blanding.

Sincerely,
Janet Wilcox