Public Lands

Judge rejects SUWA motion in public lands case

With a scathing rebuke, a federal judge rejected a motion by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) to become a full-party participant in a landmark public lands case. Judge Clark Waddoups ruled on September 5 that SUWA could participate in a massive case regarding RS-2477 road rights-of-way...

Commission opposes oil, gas lease sale

The San Juan County Commission voted to oppose an upcoming oil and gas lease sale on land maintained by the Bureau of Land Management near Hovenweep National Monument. The vote came at the September 3 Commission meeting. The resolution calls on the BLM to “defer the sale to prevent the degradation...

Forest Service crews work to reopen roads affected by fires in the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area

U.S. Forest Service fire crews are working diligently to reopen roads and trails affected by three fires in the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area of the Manti-La Sal National Forest before the bow hunting season begins this Saturday, August 17. As some crews continued monitoring and mopping up the...

Hundreds attend Bears Ears gathering

More than 800 people attended the the fifth annual Bears Ears Summer Gathering, which was held July 19-21 at the Kigalia Guard Station in Bears Ears National Monument. Utah Diné Bikéyah (UDB) sponsors the annual event, designed to celebrate the Indigenous cultures of the Bears Ears region. In 2019...

The Peavine Canyon Fire and new Poison Canyon Fire continue to grow

A new fire joined the Peavine Canyon Fire burning west of Monticello and Blanding in the Dark Canyon Wilderness last week. The lightning-sparked Poison Canyon Fire has grown to almost 200 acres since it was discovered on July 26. According to U.S. Forest Service officials in the Manti-La Sal...

Nearly 240-acre fire is still burning west of Monticello

A fire sparked by a lightning strike 45 miles west of Monticello has grown from 15 acres to almost 240 acres since it was first spotted on July 16. The “Peavine Canyon Fire” in the Dark Canyon Wilderness of the Manti-La Sal National Forest became more active due to drying conditions, according to...

Second printing for 101 Visitor Guide

For the first time ever, a generous grant from San Juan County Visitor Services will enable a second printing of 101 Ways to Experience San Juan County. A new wave of the popular visitor guides will be available at local visitor centers, motels, restaurants and businesses in coming days. 101 Ways...

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum to host lecture and book signing

The Edge of the Cedars State Park and Museum in Blanding will present a lecture and book signing with geologist and author Gene Stevenson on Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Stevenson’s book, “Canyon Country Explorations & River Lore: The Remarkable...

Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee tackles sticky issues at first meetings

The Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC) met for two days on June 5-6 at the Hideout Community Center in Monticello. It was the first meeting of the group, which consists of 15 people appointed by the Department of the Interior. The group members were selected to represent a...

Bears Ears Advisory Committee set to meet

The Bears Ears National Monument Advisory Committee will meet for the first time this week in public meetings in Monticello on June 5 and 6. The 15 members of the advisory committee will meet Wednesday, June 5 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Thursday, June 6 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hideout Community Center...