Bears Ears and Windows

A little good news. At least for me.


https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2018/09/24/bears-ears-grand/

 

Couple of "Biguns" (Al Bundy speak), some lithic tool flakes and a dino Gastrolith for good measure. The textured pieces are attributed to the Anasazi.

 

Looks like some hanky panky going on with the original plan for the Monument.
Originally the only change to the area was prohibitions to commercial development, resource extraction etc.
A new "plan" has been developed that involves "some" closures to OHV routes, mostly access to delicate cultural sites.
It looks to me like some administrative ploy to appease part of the opposition that feels the original plan (monument designation) did not go far enough.

The local paper here just ran a story claiming several hundred miles of OHV routes would be closed. My quick initial research on various NPS/BLM sites looks more like some hiking trails that have been abused by ATV's are getting the attention as opposed to established 4x4 vehicle routes. Exact details like closure lists/maps are proving hard to find at this early point.

 

Slight derailment, but have you heard anything on the Swell, Mr. Pool?

I heard similar news about a bunch of trails being closed out that way before I went there this spring, but haven't heard much since.

 

Haven't heard about anything in particular. However it's a big place and the odd gate has been closing here and there for a while.

 

This could be bad news for motor vehicle access to most of the original monument.

https://www.accessfund.org/news-and...mpaign=News:+Bears+Ears+Management+Plan+Alert