Public Lands
In the past year, the designation of Bears Ears National Monument triggered a 35 percent increase in visitation to local lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The estimated number of visitors in the area covered by the Monticello Field Office jumped from 297,643 in...
A district judge has ruled that meetings between San Juan County Commissioners and federal officials are not a violation of Open Meeting law.
The April 3 ruling dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA). The lawsuit argued that it violated state law when...
A management plan for Bears Ears National Monument was on the table at two public meetings held in San Juan County on March 26 and 27.
The first meeting was held at San Juan High School on March 26 and the second was March 27 at the Bluff Community Center.
Approximately 245 people...
by Bill Boyle
Nearly two months has passed since headlines around the country declared that a land grab was about to take place in San Juan County.
‘“Outrageous’ Gold Rush-Style Grab of Public Lands to Begin Friday” screamed EcoWatch.
The stories suggested that an influx of speculators...
For several decades, the wilderness debate in San Juan County has focused on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In contrast, many assumed that wilderness on Forest Service lands in the county was apparently settled.
That may change however, as the US Forest Service...
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host four public scoping meetings as part of the ongoing land use planning for Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Six separate land use plans will be developed, including one for the Shash Jaa unit and...
Celebrate Cedar Mesa, an annual gathering focused on the archaeology of San Juan County, took place last weekend in Bluff, drawing a sold-out crowd from around the Four Corners and beyond.
The three-day event is hosted in March by Friends of Cedar Mesa (FCM) and features service...
Approximately 100 local residents learned more about the proposed Bears Ears Congressional bill at a town-hall style meeting on February 12 in Monticello.
Congressman John Curtis is sponsoring the bill and seeks public input on it. The bill has been introduced before a subcommittee and...
DUST IN THE WINDby Bill Boyle
I enjoyed the town-hall meeting hosted by Congressman John Curtis on February 12 in Monticello. See the story here.
About 100 local residents participated in the event, which focused on Curtis’ bill to codify the changes to Bears Ears National Monument.
I...