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Council discusses response to Bears Ears National Monument reduction and role on new advisory board
Summary
Councilmembers discussed the approximately 95% reduction in Bears Ears National Monument, potential economic effects, and the need to uplift tribal voices; council noted the town will have a seat on a new advisory board and debated seeking a more permanent congressional designation for protections.
Councilmembers discussed the recent reduction in the size of Bears Ears National Monument by roughly 95 percent and how the town should respond if press inquiries arise. Britt Hornsby noted his and former Mayor Leppanen's prior involvement in developing the Bears Ears Management Plan and urged emphasizing the economic ramifications of the reduction and elevating tribal voices, since the Bears Ears Commission is no longer recognized as a governing body of the land.
Council expressed frustration at the repeated changes to monument designation and discussed the potential benefit of pursuing a congressionally designated area as a more stable form of protection; members also noted the formation of a new advisory board on which Bluff will have a seat. The minutes record that the existing management plan may remain in effect until a new one is adopted, but do not report formal direction or a press statement being approved at the work session.
