Outdoors

Blanding City hosts Bears Ears Q&A session

by David Boyle News Director Representatives from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and US Forest Service attended a two-hour question and answer session hosted by the city of Blanding on May 9. The meeting offered a unique back-and-forth between agencies and local residents to discuss concerns...

Around 200 attend Bears Ears open house

by Bill Boyle San Juan Record Editor Approximately 200 people participated in an open house in Blanding on April 23 regarding the draft management plan for Bears Ears National Monument. Public comment will be accepted on the draft plan through June 11. In attendance at the open house were a wide...

Photo of the Bears Ears by Bob Wick courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management

BLM, Forest Service, and Bears Ears Commission answers questions at first virtual meeting for draft plan

by David Boyle News Director Federal land agencies and members of the Bears Ears Commission provided information and answered some questions related to the Bears Ears National Monument draft plan in an online forum on April 16. The groups spoke about recreation, grazing, target shooting, Tribal co-...

A wintery scene with the Bears Ears buttes in the background. The Bears Ears National Monument Draft Plan has been published with five alternatives including a preferred alternative, public comment on the plans will be open for 90 days. Nathaniel Gonzales photo

Bears Ears Monument Draft Plan Published

by David Boyle News Director The Bureau of Land Management and US Department of Agriculture Forest Service has published a draft management plan for the Bears Ears National Monument (BENM). The BLM and Forest Service are seeking public input for 90-days on the draft plan, starting March 8, which...

Starting soon, entrance and camping fees at Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments will move to cashless only systems. Courtesy photo

Cashless fees at Hovenweep, Natural Bridges

Beginning March 31, 2024, Hovenweep National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument will transition to a fully cashless fee system and accept only mobile or electronic payments for entrance and camping fees. Camping at both parks will transition to being managed through Recreation.gov, also...

It was a busy tourism season in 2023 in the Glen Canyon NRA. Backhaul kayaking on the Colorado River upriver from Lees Ferry. NPS File Photo.

Glen Canyon National Recreation area set visitation record in 2023

Last week, the National Park Service (NPS) announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022. At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (Glen Canyon) 5.2 million visitors set an all-time high record for the park and is one...

Paddling on the remarkable rivers in San Juan County. Courtesy photo

Plan for Green and Colorado Rivers

Canyonlands National Park is beginning planning for a comprehensive river management plan for the Green and Colorado rivers. The park is asking for initial input to help shape a plan that will address public and commercial use and resource protection on the rivers. The comprehensive river...

Blanding teen on cover of Sportsmen Fish and Wildlife Magazine

A Blanding resident scored the front cover of the new Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife magazine. Thirteen-year old Pearce Holliday poses with his first Bull Elk taken at Elk Ridge. He drew with only one point - should have taken him to Vegas! The Bull scored 370. Pearce is the son of Tanner and Emma...

Lena Pace is the new superintendent of Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Courtesy photo

New superintendent for local national parks

Lena Pace is the new superintendent of Arches and Canyonlands national parks. She begins her new assignment on April 7. She will also supervise the superintendent at Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. The local parks preserve some of the most striking geologic landscapes and...

National Park Service developed areas near Hite are temporarily closed until a new concessionaire contrcat can be awarded. Photo courtesy National Park Service

Developed area at Hite closed until further notice

Beginning January 15, there is a temporary closure of the National Park Service’s (NPS) developed area in Hite, Utah. Hite is a remote ranger district in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, located at the top of Lake Powell, adjacent to the confluence of the Colorado and Dirty Devil Rivers....