Utah's National Monuments

You're welcome, Redneck.

What that Valley of the Gods picture needs is some oil rigs in it. 

SL Tribune did a story today about oil and gas leasing in and near the monument, but now they're charging for online access so posting a link is useless.

The honkies in San Juan County are howling like mad over the redistricting that was done by a federal judge, giving the majority native population the power they've been deprived of for so long. 

The judge told the county to redistrict and fix the problem. The county came back with a plan that was worse, not better. The judge said, "OK. Wanna play with me? I'll do it" and hired an outside expert. 

Soon, we may have a San Juan County Commission that supports Bears Ears.

Comments on Bears Ears due tomorrow.

Even thought they were ignored, the 2.9 million comments opposing shrinking the monuments still loom large. If the Dems take control of the House in November, Utah's Rob Bishop will not be controlling the House Natural Resources Committee and setting the agenda.

Keep hope alive!

Two things.

Today is the deadline for comments on Grand Staircase scoping issues  www.suwa.org  

and Utah Diné Bikéya is asking for PHONE CALLS to your congressional representatives to stop Utah's newest congressman (Curtis) from passing a bill that will codify the reductions in the monument and to ask them to SUPPORT two new bills listed at the bottom of this update. THANK YOU. 

Here's some of the e-mail update today from Utah Diné Bikéya (BTW, it's pronounced De-nay Be-kay-ya if you're wondering).

***Hello Bears Ears Supporter 

With the spring winds officially slowing down here at Bears Ears, the air is now clean again. The bears have returned to walk the mountain ridge lines and canyon bottoms, signaling the new year for Ute people. The Hopi, Zuni and Navajo peoples will also recite Bears Ears in their songs, prayers and chants to welcome this season of rebirth.

***100,000+ public comments submitted to BLM. Thank you for taking action! 

Thank you to each and every one of you who helped Utah Diné Bikéyah and our allies submitt over 100,000 public comments to the BLM and USFS yesterday! UDB's comments reiterated that monument planning should not move forward until the courts have decided the legality of the Trump Administration's actions that dismembered Bears Ears National Monument by 85%.

This astounding number of comments came in from dozens of Tribes, as well as people across the U.S. and the world! 

UDB submitted a 12-page letter raising legal issues about the inappropriately short timelines, and highlighted the hundreds of essential cultural resources that the BLM/USFS may be unaware, or may not know how to manage on behalf of Tribes. We also asked that land planning be postponed until the courts decide whether Trump's action will stand.

***Help UDB defeat the Curtis Bill

Washington policy wonks are reporting that H.R. 4532, the Curtis Bill, is basically frozen to permafrost, with a growing number of concerned Republicans and Democrats opposing the bill. In addition the anti-Antiquities Act, H.R. 3990, sponsored by Rep. Rob Bishop, seems equally chilly, at least until the upcoming election season passes. Even so, UDB asks you to contact your Congresswomen and Congressmen this week to make sure these bills do not thaw, or see renewed life over the summer. 

Thanks to our many Bears Ears National Monument allies, there are two bills – H.R. 4518 and S. 2354 – that could help restore BENM to its full glory. Rep. Ruben Gallego, who visited Bears Ears last month, is the sponsor of H.R. 4518, which has 114 co-sponsors. Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Udall, is the sponsor of S. 2354, which would expand Bears Ears to 1.9 M acres. It has 20 co-sponsors in the Senate. Please call Congress to support both of these bills.