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Protecting Utah's Redrock Country

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Wilderness-Quality Lands at Risk from Dinosaur Area Drilling Proposal

Lands with wilderness characteristics in the Split Mountain Benches area. Copyright Cody Perry/NPCA

Lands with wilderness characteristics in the Split Mountain Benches area. Copyright Scott Braden/SUWA

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Here at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, we

Here at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, we recognize today as Indigenous Peoples' Day. Our work to protect wilderness is not complete without the guidance and support of those who have been here since time immemorial, as the original stewards of these landscapes. We are grateful to work with partners like the @bearsearscoalition, and commend their recent work on the proposed resource management plan for Bears Ears National Monument—a historic first as it is guided by the Traditional Indigenous Knowledge of the Bears Ears Commission (BEC).

The Bears Ears Commission represents five Tribal Nations—the Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, Hopi Tribe, and the Navajo Nation—who worked collaboratively with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service to develop the plan, and who will continue to ensure the protection and stewardship of this unique cultural landscape for future generations. For more information, or to support their work, visit: https://www.bearsearscoalition.org/the-bears-ears-commission/

📍 Valley of the Gods
📸 Gary German

Defend the Dirty Devil with SUWA next Thursday, Oc

Defend the Dirty Devil with SUWA next Thursday, October 17th from 6-8 pm at @saltfirebrewing (2199 S. West Temple, South Salt Lake).

On September 25th, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a draft travel management plan (TMP) for the Henry Mountains/Dirty Devil area, kicking off a 30-day public comment period. These 30 days are a critical time for the public to provide input on this planning process, which will determine where motorized vehicles are allowed to drive in this remote area for decades to come.

The travel management plan covers several distinct and renowned Utah landscapes—places just a few hours from Salt Lake City—including the Dirty Devil Canyon complex, the Henry Mountains, and the stunning badlands surrounding Factory Butte. As a redrock activist who may spend time in these areas, you’re invited to join us at an event to learn more about the plan and write evidence-based comments!

The agency is under tremendous pressure to expand off-road vehicle routes in the area and is considering options that would substantially increase the number and mileage of motorized routes, especially in proposed wilderness. We’ll take time to discuss the travel plan alternatives, the importance of writing substantive comments, and any questions you may have! After a short presentation, our staff and volunteers will help attendees with comment writing.

RSVP appreciated--link in bio. Please note: this is a 21+ venue

Earlier this year, SUWA and the National Parks Con

Earlier this year, SUWA and the National Parks Conservation Association settled a lawsuit challenging off-road vehicle (ORV) use in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Glen Canyon covers 1.25 million acres of stunning redrock canyons, expansive stretches of undisturbed landscapes, and significant cultural and paleontological resources at the heart of the Colorado Plateau. It’s also an area with an incredible density of wilderness-quality lands in Utah.

As part of our settlement, the National Park Service (NPS) is proposing revisions to its ORV regulations to close the Orange Cliffs to off-road vehicles and close shoreline access areas to all motorized use, unless lake elevations rise to sustainable levels. We believe these changes will make Glen Canyon a quieter, wilder place.

In addition, we believe the public (and Glen Canyon!) would benefit from NPS increasing its efforts to inform visitors of the Recreation Area’s ORV rules by providing clear and obvious communications both online and in person, explaining which shoreline access areas are open or closed to motorized vehicles.

NPS is accepting comments on the proposed amended ORV regulations until November 15th. Speak up today at the link in our bio.

#ProtectWildUtah #GlenCanyon #NationalRecreationArea

Today is the anniversary of the restoration of Bea

Today is the anniversary of the restoration of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments! You may remember the dark period after the monuments were slashed by President Trump back in December 2017. With the stroke of a pen, Grand Staircase was diminished by 47% while Bears Ears had its acreage decimated by 83%. This unprecedented action left rare archaeological sites, unique flora and fauna, and stunning wild lands without protection from looting, uranium mining, oil and gas drilling, and off-road vehicle damage. Thankfully, on October 8, 2021, President Biden signed proclamations restoring Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments to their full, original boundaries—plus an additional 12,000 acres added to the Trump-era Indian Creek unit.

Join us in celebrating these re-established layers of protection to some of the most spectacular places in southern Utah!

Photo Credits: Brandon Garcia

#ProtectWildUtah #BearsEars #GrandStaircaseEscalante #NationalMonument

Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announc

Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the release of the final Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Bear Ears National Monument. Above is a statement from SUWA Wildlands Attorney, Judi Brawer.

We also encourage you to read today's statement from @bearsearscoalition, a portion of which is below:

"The management plan is now in its final stages, guided by the Traditional Knowledge of the Bears Ears Commission (BEC)—a historic first in U.S. public lands management. After years of hard work and collaboration, the Tribes of the Bears Ears Commission have played a key role in shaping this plan, ensuring that Indigenous knowledge and stewardship guide the future of this sacred land.

As we move closer to the final plan, we reflect on the powerful contributions of the five Tribal Nations of the BEC in balancing cultural preservation, conservation, and respectful recreation. What will the final plan look like? With the voices of our ancestors and community behind us, we look forward to seeing a plan that honors Bears Ears’ deep cultural and ecological significance."

For more additional information and background on the monument, visit suwa.org or the link in bio.

#ProtectWildUtah #BearsEars #BENM #BearsEarsNationalMonument

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