Zuni Tribe Endorses America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act!
We’re pleased to report that the Zuni Council, consisting of the governor, lieutenant governor, and six council members, has voted unanimously to support America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act (ARRWA). Their July 10th resolution endorses congressional wilderness designation for lands within the bill, which would protect more than 8.4 million acres of federal public lands in Utah.
“The animals and plants found there, along with the cultural and historic record of the legacy of the Zuni peoples, could be harmed,” said Zuni Tribal Governor Arden Kucate. “Our approach to life is an all-encompassing effort to protect the environment for the benefit of all mankind. We find that America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act is an important part of that effort.”
The Hopi Tribal Council and Navajo Nation Council passed similar resolutions in 2023 and 2021, respectively.
“We greatly appreciate the Zuni Tribe’s endorsement of the Red Rock bill,” said SUWA Executive Director Scott Groene. “With other tribes, the Zuni Tribe is leading in protecting lands in southern Utah, including their work for the establishment of the Bears Ears National Monument.”
>> Read our full press release
National Wilderness Coalition Launches in Washington, DC
Last week in Washington, DC, SUWA staff and volunteers joined a coalition of local, statewide, and national conservation and environmental justice organizations in formally announcing the creation of the National Wilderness Coalition (NWC). The NWC, of which SUWA is a founding member, is comprised of organizations that have come together to build political power, advance wilderness legislation, and reinvigorate a diverse and enduring wilderness movement.
In addition to a panel conversation on the future of the wilderness movement and multiple days of meetings with Congress and Biden administration officials, the Coalition presented the inaugural Wilderness Champion Awards to seven current representatives and senators—including America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act champions Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)! SUWA and the larger wilderness movement are lucky to have such passionate and unflinching advocates for wild places.
“The National Wilderness Coalition and its members know that wilderness conservation is a critical tool for addressing interrelated crises of our time. Our work builds on decades of advocacy and organizing from communities, nonprofit organizations, Indigenous people, and Tribal Nations across the country,” said SUWA DC Director Travis Hammill. “SUWA is proud to join with like-minded organizations from across the country to protect public lands and waters at this critical moment.”
>> Read more about the National Wilderness Coalition and the Wilderness Champions
BLM Releases Final Management Plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
At the end of August, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the release of its final Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the restored Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. SUWA is currently reviewing the plan and will have more information to share in the weeks ahead.
After President Biden signed a proclamation restoring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to its full, original boundaries, the BLM began the process of developing a new management plan. Many of you submitted comments during this process (thank you!) and the final plan takes that input into account.
“We hope that in this final Plan the BLM has taken seriously its duty to protect one of the most treasured public landscapes in America,“ said SUWA Wildlands Attorney Kya Marienfeld. “Moving forward, we expect that the monument will once again be managed to protect what makes it like nowhere else—remarkable paleontological discoveries and cultural sites, jaw-dropping scenery, and outstanding intact and diverse natural ecosystems. SUWA will closely monitor the implementation of the final Plan, and continue to encourage management actions that will preserve the monument for current and future generations.”
>> Read our full press release
Photo © Tim Peterson
SUWA Challenges BLM Decision to Reaffirm Fossil Fuel Leases in Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness
On August 28th, SUWA filed a lawsuit in federal district court challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) recent decision to reaffirm controversial oil and gas leases in Utah’s San Rafael Desert region—including a lease within the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness.
Congress designated the Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness in 2019 as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Dingell Act). The lease, which the Trump administration BLM rushed to issue as a last-minute handout to its industry allies only a few days before the Dingell Act was signed into law, is located in the very heart of this wild landscape.
A legal challenge by SUWA and other conservation partners initially stopped the drilling project, but the court eventually allowed development to proceed (the well turned out to be a dry hole). As a result of our original litigation, the BLM agreed to take a closer look at the prior administration’s leasing decision, and this supplemental leasing analysis is the subject of our new challenge. Instead of closely scrutinizing the prior leasing decision, the BLM simply rubber-stamped it. We are now asking the court to set aside the agency’s decision as unlawful and vacate the leases.
>> Read our full press release
Photo © Pete McBride/Ecoflight
Salt Lake Tribune Editorializes Against Utah’s Latest Land Grab Effort
In case you missed it, The Salt Lake Tribune recently published an editorial slamming the State of Utah for its latest folly: a lawsuit aimed at seizing 18.5 million acres of federal public lands and placing them under state control.
The Editorial Board calls the lawsuit “. . . a total fantasy. An expensive and embarrassing one,” adding:
This action has no legal precedent to stand on. State officials admitted as much when they skipped the normal starting point of the local federal district court. No judge at that level would even consider a claim that stands against every legal ruling and principle going back to the founding of the United States.
But given the current majority of the Supreme Court, which has had no problem destroying everything from the Voting Rights Act to Roe v. Wade, Utah’s elected leadership may feel they have a chance. Even if they don’t, they are happy to spend millions of your tax dollars pretending to twist the tail of the federal government because it looks good to their far-right political base.
SUWA Members Gather at Summer Shindig
A big THANK YOU to the amazing members who made our Summer Shindig a night to remember! Your support is what makes everything we do possible. Whether you joined us in person or couldn’t make it this time, we’re deeply grateful for your commitment to protecting Utah’s wild places.
From an incredible silent auction featuring books signed by Ed Abbey to giveaways from generous partners, we had a blast celebrating the redrock with both new and longtime supporters. Special thanks to our hosts, Fisher Brewing Company and Bella Pizza, for keeping the beer cold and the pizza hot!
Not a member yet? Join us today and don’t miss out on future events and celebrations!
Photo © SUWA
