Bears Ears Kickstarter

[Cayuse]

OK, so not to buy the land and keep the monument from being shrunk, hopefully the courts will take care of that. Rather there is a project on Kickstarter to raise money for a Bears Ears Educational Center. Goal is to raise another $100,000 by the end of the year, they already have $230,000 raised towards buying the building and having money for renovations and exhibits.

Mods if this needs to be moved elsewhere feel free but thought it would get the most eyes here.

 

[buckland]

So good to hear something positive! I am "Thankful" for that. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

In Fridays San Francisco Chronicle on the opinion page was a great write up by Jonathon B. Jarvis, former NPS director.

"Bear Ears a monument to America's best idea".

I think if you search the SF Chronicle you can find it.
Very good opinion.
Maybe there is hope through the courts,native people,& lawmakers.
Frank

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi Bob
Thanks for posting this up. I have worked with a group to try partnering with the (nasty anacronym) BLM. What a fresh idea, so I donate, easy to do. Any of you WtW readers feel so inclined please watch their video, they only have a few days left. Gunna try help their Christmas wish come true.

Russ

ps sorry Stew, gunna have to send Jack next year!

 

[rando]

I am not sure if it is more important to donate to this or to the groups that will be funding the inevitable lawsuit to challenge the shrinking of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante. Supposedly, Trump is coming to UT in December to announce what the damage will be:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/utahs-grand-staircase-monument-may-face-sharp-reduction-in-size/

 

[Cayuse]

I am not sure if it is more important to donate to this or to the groups that will be funding the inevitable lawsuit to challenge the shrinking of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante. Supposedly, Trump is coming to UT in December to announce what the damage will be:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/utahs-grand-staircase-monument-may-face-sharp-reduction-in-size/

Both!

I had never noticed before but the last publication from SUWA listed the Legal Director first on the masthead. There will be a battle but also think it's important to get this funded so that people are aware how to visit without making an impact.

 

[rando]

Now that we have an imminent change in administration, maybe there is some hope for the restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments. Does anyone have advice on where to advocate or how to get these issues on the agenda?

It appears that some are hoping that the current lawsuits will prevail (or maybe the government will no longer defend them):
https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2020-10-17/committee-considers-plans-for-bears-ears-but-opponents-hope-they-will-be-invalidated-soon

But are there other avenues to pursue?

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Now that we have an imminent change in administration, maybe there is some hope for the restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments. Does anyone have advice on where to advocate or how to get these issues on the agenda?

It appears that some are hoping that the current lawsuits will prevail (or maybe the government will no longer defend them):
https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2020-10-17/committee-considers-plans-for-bears-ears-but-opponents-hope-they-will-be-invalidated-soon

But are there other avenues to pursue?

I read a post from Terry Tempest Williams that suggested Bears Ears and GSE will be rolled back.

 

[rando]

I read a post from Terry Tempest Williams that suggested Bears Ears and GSE will be rolled back.

Thanks for the lead on that. Here is the article she is referencing:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/climate/biden-climate.html?smid=tw-share

It is a little bit nebulous if these are things being suggested to the incoming administration, or things they have said they will do. Either way it is a positive sign!

 

[buckland]

I’ll take anything positive ... hopeful it goes forward. Thanks for posting.

 

[rando]

Here is another interesting take:
https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2020-11-10/despite-promises-from-biden-future-of-bears-ears-is-still-uncertain

To summarize:
Although the monuments (both Bears Ears and GSENM) could be restored by executive order, it may be better to let the lawsuits play out to settle the question of shrinking monuments and avoid them flip flopping back and forth as administrations change.

 

[buckland]

Perhaps of interest:

 

[buckland]

In the news again

 

[rando]

Here is an interesting update on Bears Ears and GSENM:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/06/14/haaland-biden-national-monuments/

(and another source in case you can't see the WaPo article: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/558358-haaland-recommends-full-restoration-of-monuments-trump-altered ).

I think this is generally good news, but I do still think there is some value in letting the court cases play out, to set a precedent and avoid a ping-pong between administrations.

 

[buckland]

That is. I hope as you say a more permanent ruling to avoid the constant change... folks who manage it need long term planning to be effective.
fingers crossed.

 

[buckland]

Here's a bit more as an update
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/09/28/bears-ears-monument-tribes-biden/

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I read a post from Terry Tempest Williams that suggested Bears Ears and GSE will be rolled back.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/07/biden-to-restore-bears-ears-and-grand-staircase-escalante-monuments

 

[buckland]

Yup full circle... here is a pdf of this this morning