Public Lands

County will ask Biden to restore Bears Ears

The San Juan County Commission has signaled their intent to continue efforts to restore Bears Ears National Monument to its original size. At the December 1 commission meeting, Commissioners Willie Grayeyes and Kenneth Maryboy voted to send a letter to President-elect Joe Biden asking his...

Mysterious monolith appears in San Juan County

On November 18, the Utah Department of Public Safety Aero Bureau was working with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to conduct a count of big horn sheep in a portion of San Juan County. While on this mission, they spotted an unusual object and landed nearby to investigate further. The crew...

Image of a pick-up truck with decals reading San Juan County sheriff department. Truck sits in front of the public safety building in Monticello, Utah

County Commission signs resolution supporting local law enforcement

San Juan County Commission signed a resolution stating their support of county law enforcement at the August 4 meeting held remotely. The resolution publicly salutes the Sheriff’s department and was passed unanimously. Commission Chair Kenneth Maryboy shared his thoughts on the resolution. “I think...

Gary Torres is the new Canyon Country District Manager

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has selected Gary Torres as the permanent Canyon Country District Manager. The Canyon Country District, comprised of the Moab and Monticello field offices, manages 3.6 million surface acres providing opportunities for recreation, livestock grazing, mineral...

San Juan County won’t participate in Bears Ears travel planning effort

San Juan County will not participate in travel planning efforts in Bears Ears National Monument. With a 2-1 vote at the April 21 Commission meeting, Commissioners rejected a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the county and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the effort....

Controversial oil and gas leases withdrawn north of Bluff

Development efforts have stopped on two oil and gas leases north of Bluff. EOG Resources Inc. notified the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the decision on February 28. The decision comes on the heels of a resolution by the Bluff Town Council in early February to oppose the development of the oil...

Photo of the Week

Thirty meters off Highway 95. Jan Noirot photo

Trump budget adds $150 million to create uranium reserve, Energy Fuels hopeful

Energy Fuels, the owner of the White Mesa Mill and mining properties in San Juan County, is hopeful that a new proposal in the federal budget may be a lifeline to the struggling uranium industry. The budget proposal submitted by President Trump includes $150 million for the creation of a uranium...

Federal agencies sign decisions approving management plans for Bears Ears National Monument

On December 20, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service approved the Bears Ears National Monument plans. The newly approved plans for the Indian Creek and Shash Jáa units of the monument provide guidance for the future management of lands and resources that are important to residents...