San Juan County

Fire Suppression Efforts Begin on Babylon Wildfire within Manti-La Sal National Forest

Manti-La Sal National Forest fire officials are currently engaged in wildfire activity near Steamboat Point on the Monticello Ranger District, located west of Blanding, UT in San Juan County. The Babylon Fire, reported Friday, July 5, 2024, is approximately 50 acres, as of July 9, 2024. Due to...

San Juan County Commission hears zoning concerns, sets tax rate

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission heard from La Sal residents regarding property rights, approved a grant aimed at increasing the number of Native Americans in governmental administrative positions, and approved the certified property tax rate at their latest...

Six local dams need dam safety upgrades, funding is limited

Six reservoirs in San Juan County are listed as having a high-hazard rating by the Utah Division of Water Rights. They join more than 200 reservoirs across the state of Utah with the same rating. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated $7.2 million to rehabilitate high-hazard...

Flash flooding in Lime Canyon washed out fence lines, flooded Highway 163 for several hours, and contributed to significant damage in recent days. David Kartchner photo

Storms drench San Juan, cause damage

Several days of storms, driven in part by moisture from a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, brought a deluge of rain to San Juan County, resulting in floods, disruptions and damage during a normally dry June. The storms were widespread, but had particular impact on several key areas. Highways were...

County commission gets update on Monument Valley, renewable energy area

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission got an update on the Goulding’s Lodge sale, approved a continued lease for communication infrastructure on BLM lands and discussed a possible renewable energy project area at their latest meeting. While the county was unsure how...

Members of the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise Board, 25th Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren, and the Navajo Land Department stood together at the grand opening of the Goulding’s Lodge. Photo Courtesy 25th Navajo Nation Council

Navajo Nation secures Goulding’s Lodge

by David Boyle News Director Navajo Nation officials celebrated the tribe’s purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge and Tours with a grand opening on June 14. The purchase comes as the property celebrates 100 years in business. Members of the 25th Navajo Nation Council approved a $59.5 million...

Republicans will go to the polls for Primary Election on June 25

by David Boyle News Director The Utah Primary Election Day is June 25. Across San Juan County, Republicans will be voting in nine races, with an additional 10th race for registered Republicans in Commission District 1. Winners of the June 25 Primary will advance to the November 5 General Election....

County submits Bears Ears draft comments

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission approved county comments on the Bears Ears Draft Management Plan at their June 4 meeting. County Public Lands Coordinator Nick Sandberg explained the 11-page letter contains comments that county and county staff had made as well...

County talks fire district annexation for Spanish Vallley

by David Boyle News Director Members of the San Juan County Commission discussed fire district annexation of Spanish Valley, discussed fire issues elsewhere in the county and approved an award to upgrade heating at the county building at their latest meeting Members of the San Juan County...

Construction begins on SR 95 Cottonwood Wash Bridge

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has begun building a new bridge on State Route 95 (SR-95) over Cottonwood Wash, approximately nine miles west of Blanding. The road will be reduced to one lane with temporary signals directing one-way traffic. Motorists are required to wait until green...