Public Lands

Visit With Respect debuts short documentary film

Bears Ears Partnership premiered the first ever Visit With Respect short documentary film, Respecting the Past, Preserving the Future. The premier was on March 9 during the 2024 Celebrate Bears Ears, a bi-annual event highlighting the scientific and cultural importance of the greater Bears Ears...

Hearings on Bears Ears management options

Both virtual and in-person meetings are scheduled for the public to learn more about the Bear Ears National Monument Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. On March 8, the agencies initiated a public comment period for the Draft Resource Management Plan and...

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...

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...

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...

Bears Ears Advisory Committee to meet

The Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office and U.S. Department of Agriculture Manti-La Sal National Forest will host a public meeting of the Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee on March 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mountain Time at the Hideout Community Center located at...

Utah withdraws from Bears Ears land swap in response to proposals in management plan

The state of Utah is withdrawing its support of a proposed land swap of state trust lands in the Bears Ears National Monument for federal lands elsewhere in San Juan County and the rest of the state. Utah elected Republican leaders took the action saying the federal government is “ignoring good...

County Commission address personal property taxes, Sage-grouse at latest meeting

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission addressed personal property taxes, Gunnison Sage-grouse and short-term rentals in Spanish Valley at their latest meeting. Members of the commission approved the use of an appraisal software program for the Assessor’s office at...

Penny Stewart, Slate Stewart and Ethan Hallows at the Range Management Awards. Courtesy photo

Trust Lands staff named Range Manager of the Year... again

The Utah Society for Range Management has named Slate Stewart its 2023 Range Manager of the Year. This is the third time a Trust Lands Administration (TLA) Range Manager has been bestowed an award from the prestigious group. “Slate is widely known as one of the hardest workers around,” said Ron...