Reactions to Bears Ears Management Plan

Check out our story on the new plan here:

https://sjrnews.com/public-lands/proposed-management-plan-released-bears...

Our conversation with BLM Field Manager Jake Palma:

https://redrock92.podbean.com/e/oct-4exclusive-interview-jake-palma-fiel...

The Sportsmen’s Alliance announced that because the proposed management plan includes an “outright prohibition on recreational shooting of any kind for any purpose”, it is pulling together a coalition of organizations and individuals to challenge the BLM rule in federal court.
Dr. Todd Adkins, Senior Vice President at the Sportsmen’s Alliance, said, “No surprise here, BLM told everyone many months ago that the agency’s preferred alternative was to ban recreational shooting altogether.
“The notice and comment process proved meaningless, so we must turn to the courts to keep public land truly public.”  
“Federal statutes require BLM to consider a different approach than an outright ban,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel for the Sportsmen’s Alliance. “Whether by oversight or with clear intent, we cannot stand by as our members and supporters are thrown off public land in violation of existing law, and we won’t.”
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Judi Brawer, Wildlands Attorney for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, said, “The release of the final Bears Ears National Monument Management Plan marks the culmination of years of hard work by the BLM and Forest Service, in collaboration with the Five Tribal Nations that comprise the Bears Ears Commission, as well as significant stakeholder input.
“We expect the final Plan to prioritize the long-term protection of this unique cultural landscape. SUWA will carefully review the final Plan, and will closely monitor its implementation to ensure future actions protect and preserve the monument’s irreplaceable natural and cultural resources.” 
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Scott Miller, Southwest senior regional director of The Wilderness Society, said, “With this plan, the federal government can affirm and formalize its commitment to meaningfully involve Tribal Nations in the protection and management of the Bears Ears living landscape.
“The final plan must center Tribal co-stewardship, aligned with Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and take the necessary steps to protect the monument’s natural and cultural resources as outlined in the Presidential proclamation.”