In keeping with the strong tradition of NPN I will not make this into any type of political alert, but only an alert towards the loss of areas set aside by previously much better and clearer thinking administrations.
Many may know that there is a list of 27 National Monuments under review for a land grab back for private uses. With that said the Interior Department is looking for any and all input on the subject. This is where the rubber meets the road. The comments were only opened up on this item today and will run for a few weeks. Me being of the overly opinionated type during my entire life I posted a comment just now. It does not appear there yet and has to be reviewed for content before it will appear. But I stated my points around the open areas we enjoy here in the southwestern states and will be in hopes that we do not lose any or all of it in the end.
To leave a comment is very easy and does not require personal information unless you want to. I just used my business handle of Trail Images and let it go at that. Folks, if you're not aware of how things are going you might review the list below. I've include a direct link for easy access to Regualtions.Gov and the DOI-2017-0002
You will not see ANY comments yet as they only opened this up today, but I encourage all to participate no matter how short your comments are.
The National Monuments being initially reviewed are listed in the following tables:
NATIONAL MONUMENTS BEING INITIALLY REVIEWED PURSUANT TO CRITERIA IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 13792
Monument
Location
Year(s)
Acreage
Basin and Range
Nevada
2015
703,585
Bears Ears
Utah
2016
1,353,000
Berryessa Snow Mountain
California
2015
330,780
Canyons of the Ancients
Colorado
2000
175,160
Carrizo Plain
California
2001
204,107
Cascade Siskiyou
Oregon
2000/2017
100,000
Craters of the Moon
Idaho
1924/2000
737,525
Giant Sequoia
California
2000
327,760
Gold Butte
Nevada
2016
296,937
Grand Canyon-Parashant
Arizona
2000
1,014,000
Grand Staircase-Escalante
Utah
1996
1,700,000
Hanford Reach
Washington
2000
194,450.93
Ironwood Forest
Arizona
2000
128,917
Mojave Trails
California
2016
1,600,000
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks
New Mexico
2014
496,330
Rio Grande del Norte
New Mexico
2013
242,555
Sand to Snow
California
2016
154,000
San Gabriel Mountains
California
2014
346,177
Sonoran Desert
Arizona
2001
486,149
Upper Missouri River Breaks
Montana
2001
377,346
Vermilion Cliffs
Arizona
2000
279,568
NATIONAL MONUMENTS BEING REVIEWED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DESIGNATION OR EXPANSION WAS MADE WITHOUT ADEQUATE PUBLIC OUTREACH AND COORDINATION WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS
Thank you for taking the time to review this important message and following through with a comment too, Barbara.
I realize most of this territory is west of the Mississippi, but it is where most of the open areas still have a bit of breathing room left. There are many sites on the list I have visited often over the years and would hope that they will remain open for those passing through life behind me.......
@ Kathy, thank you. Although I know more comments have been made, the site is not reflecting them yet no doubt waiting for each one to be reviewed for "sanity" issues. Being Gov. related I'm sure they've closed for the weekend at this point. The upside is the site is accepting input for at least a few more weeks or possibly longer......
I provided my thoughts on the topic. Thanks for the link and easy access.
@ Keith, you're quite welcome. And, thank you for commenting at that site with regard to this important subject. I'm sure you might have noticed most all of the sites under review are west of the Mississippi.
As I recall at least 2 were in New Mexico too. I think there was only just one on the east side in Maine under review. Very sad considering all the work put into promoting these locations for monument status since about 1996 and many since 2000.
@ Barbara, thanks for asking. Here is a cut & paste directly from the site. There is real concern for Bears Ear in the state of Utah as that is subjected to an earlier closer by 5/26/17. All other sites are open for comments due no later then 7/10/17. That area of Utah is flat gorgeous too. I've visited southern Utah more then any other area on my travel list over the years. I just signed another petition for Bears Ear being emailed directly to supporters from NRDC which I have been a member of for many years.
To ensure consideration, written comments relating to the Bears Ears National Monument must be submitted before May 26, 2017. Written comments relating to all other National Monuments must be submitted before July 10, 2017.
Barbara, thank you for this update. I saw a brief mention on another site and was waiting for more details. However, it was almost a forgone conclusion as the wraps have come off of any sanity with regard to this latest administrations assault on environmental common sense.
From The Trust for Public Land yesterday, 12/5/17: "President Trump just announced an executive action to eliminate half of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and more than 80% of Bears Ears National Monument."
From The Trust for Public Land yesterday, 12/5/17: "President Trump just announced an executive action to eliminate half of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and more than 80% of Bears Ears National Monument."
Barbara, it has been a hard fought issue and sadly it has fallen in the direction of the anticipated outcome. Although I'm sure no one thought it would be this severe in lost acreage or square miles. There are a lot of environmental groups in alignment to take the issues to court. Sadly that leaves no winners here. Environmental groups who need the cash to support many other causes now have to spend it on an item that was already in place. Basically stated, maybe there is a certain amount of territory gained back, but needless to say why did it ever reach this point. After all the hard work by ALL involved with Clinton's and Obama's work at the time with feasibility studies, then along comes a real land grabber.
As a long time and often visitor to these areas of Utah and a lot of my money spent there, it was for the beauty and photographic grandeur. It was not to go look at a bunch of holes being dug for coal, oil and minerals. I doubt the area will ever reap the $$$ from the hole digging that the long term tourism would have brought in, but I'm certainly no expert on the subject.
I doubt the area will ever reap the $$$ from the hole digging that the long term tourism would have brought in, but I'm certainly no expert on the subject.
I'm sure the area won't, but equally sure that other people who do not see the area as anything but a source of $$$ will.
I would say that "this land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Islands" no longer refers to you and me.
Discussion
23 repliesMany may know that there is a list of 27 National Monuments under review for a land grab back for private uses. With that said the Interior Department is looking for any and all input on the subject. This is where the rubber meets the road. The comments were only opened up on this item today and will run for a few weeks. Me being of the overly opinionated type during my entire life I posted a comment just now. It does not appear there yet and has to be reviewed for content before it will appear. But I stated my points around the open areas we enjoy here in the southwestern states and will be in hopes that we do not lose any or all of it in the end.
To leave a comment is very easy and does not require personal information unless you want to. I just used my business handle of Trail Images and let it go at that. Folks, if you're not aware of how things are going you might review the list below. I've include a direct link for easy access to Regualtions.Gov and the DOI-2017-0002
You will not see ANY comments yet as they only opened this up today, but I encourage all to participate no matter how short your comments are.
The National Monuments being initially reviewed are listed in the following tables:
NATIONAL MONUMENTS BEING INITIALLY REVIEWED PURSUANT TO CRITERIA IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 13792
NATIONAL MONUMENTS BEING REVIEWED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE DESIGNATION OR EXPANSION WAS MADE WITHOUT ADEQUATE PUBLIC OUTREACH AND COORDINATION WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS
I realize most of this territory is west of the Mississippi, but it is where most of the open areas still have a bit of breathing room left. There are many sites on the list I have visited often over the years and would hope that they will remain open for those passing through life behind me.......
@ Kathy, thank you. Although I know more comments have been made, the site is not reflecting them yet no doubt waiting for each one to be reviewed for "sanity" issues. Being Gov. related I'm sure they've closed for the weekend at this point. The upside is the site is accepting input for at least a few more weeks or possibly longer......
@ Keith, you're quite welcome. And, thank you for commenting at that site with regard to this important subject. I'm sure you might have noticed most all of the sites under review are west of the Mississippi.
As I recall at least 2 were in New Mexico too. I think there was only just one on the east side in Maine under review. Very sad considering all the work put into promoting these locations for monument status since about 1996 and many since 2000.
The Gov. comment site is running very slow at this point, I hope it is only due to over activity and not something more sinister......
When I looked very early this morning it had close to 20,000 comments.......
However, once back up the posted comments are over 50,000 as of 5/20/17 @ 1530 PST.......
The comments have exceeded 90,000 as of 1200 PST today.........
Barbara, it has been a hard fought issue and sadly it has fallen in the direction of the anticipated outcome. Although I'm sure no one thought it would be this severe in lost acreage or square miles. There are a lot of environmental groups in alignment to take the issues to court. Sadly that leaves no winners here. Environmental groups who need the cash to support many other causes now have to spend it on an item that was already in place. Basically stated, maybe there is a certain amount of territory gained back, but needless to say why did it ever reach this point. After all the hard work by ALL involved with Clinton's and Obama's work at the time with feasibility studies, then along comes a real land grabber.
As a long time and often visitor to these areas of Utah and a lot of my money spent there, it was for the beauty and photographic grandeur. It was not to go look at a bunch of holes being dug for coal, oil and minerals. I doubt the area will ever reap the $$$ from the hole digging that the long term tourism would have brought in, but I'm certainly no expert on the subject.
I would say that "this land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Islands" no longer refers to you and me.