Utah Wilderness News, September 23, 2011

LETTER TO THE EDITOR–Keep Antiquities Act

Re “GOP bills would block new monuments on public land” (Tribune, Sept. 14):

I’ve run a business in Kanab for 17 years, since before President Bill Clinton designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Throngs of visitors approve of that application of the Antiquities Act, and so do I… Read more–Salt Lake Tribune

LETTER TO THE EDITOR–Protect our precious lands

In a recent article (“Federal landlord robs Utah’s kids,” My View, Sept. 20), Rep. Christopher Herrod wrongly argues that protecting Utah’s precious public lands harms our school kids.

Consider the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Because of the GSENM, Utah was able to trade off scattered, remote and difficult to develop property in the monument and other areas.

In return Utah gained $50 million for education, millions more from unleased coal, more than 160 million tons of coal, 185 billion cubic feet of coal bed methane and 139,000 acres of land and minerals in nine counties. Gov. Mike Leavitt lauded the deal, as did Utah’s School Trust Lands Administration, the PTA and Rep. Jim Hansen… Read More–Deseret News

Poll shows Utahns approve of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

A new poll shows most Utahns believe the creation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has been a good thing, even as Congress debates a proposal that would require lawmakers’ approval for future designations.

Created in September 1996 by then-President Bill Clinton, the 1.9-million acre monument in southern Utah’s Kane and Garfield counties drew 800,000 visitors last year… Read more–Salt Lake Tribune

Millions of acres of land you inherited are at risk

Maybe you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth, but like every American, you carry a deed to 635 million acres of public lands.

That’s right. Even if you don’t own a house or the latest computer on the market, you own Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and many other natural treasures. It’s one of the greatest benefits of being an American, and it’s one reason we are celebrating Great America Outdoors Week… Read more–Huffington Post