Public Lands informational meeting

By PATSY STODDARD editor

The Emery County Public lands held an informational public meeting to discuss the public lands process the county is involved with pertaining to Cong. Rob Bishop’s public land initiative. Ray Petersen public lands director for the county said there have been dozens of meetings about this issue and the Emery County people are always there and interested and engaged in the process. Currently, the county is waiting for Cong. Bishop to move forward with the public lands initiative. Language hasn’t been written at this point and other counties are trying to catch up to where Emery County is in the process.
The county actively started this round of trying to get something done with the public lands in 2008. This is when the BLM 2008 Resource Management plan came into effect. “This was a good plan. We know that only Congress can designate wilderness. At this same time Washington County passed a public lands bill. The Red Rock Wilderness Act that’s introduced each year by Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance contains 1.4 million acres in Emery County. That’s three times as much wilderness as our maps. Also a potential monument designation scared us. The Swell showed up on a list for possible designation. Right now SUWA is pushing the Greater Canyonlands National Monument that contains 200,000 acres in Emery County.
“Being proactive, we decide what’s wilderness. We formed subcommittees and held scoping meetings. We asked the various groups if they could support this (our land use bill) and the groups said yes. We asked what do you want to see and they said protect resource use. The lands council has done that. If the Emery County proposal passed, you could ride the same trails, graze, drill gas and oil and in some cases it might be easier. We have had many meetings and many field trips to see what’s taking place on the ground. What makes sense to designate? What you can manage? In July of 2012, the proposal was submitted to the county commission for their approval. Half of the language came from the Washington County bill. The other is the ideas and issues the public brought up, it’s not in legislative language yet. We were ready to go when Bishop said let’s go bigger we will get more support in Congress. Emery County said OK, and we’ve been on hold now for a couple of years. Other counties are going through the same process we did,” said Petersen.
The Washington delegation is excited about it. If it doesn’t pan out with Bishop’s bill, Emery County will run their own bill. “Nothing has changed with the bill until recently the idea of the Goblin Valley expansion came up,” said Petersen.
A Nevada lands bill recently passed in Congress.
The proposed Goblin Valley expansion area sees a lot of use. The premise is if the state park expands there will be more resources for management for that area. One idea is for the BLM to maintain management of the wild horses/burros and grazing allotments. The state parks would manage the recreation. The DWR would manage the wildlife. Petersen said Emery County said they were supportive of the expansion of Goblin Valley if all existing uses remain; grazing, motorized and non-motorized uses. The expansion could get a handle on the management.
Ahmed Mohsen is the field director for the Price BLM. He said there is a framework in place and all valid and existing rights will be maintained. The RMP is in place. The state can collect the fees for the recreational use and the BLM take care of the horses and grazing. The land could be deeded to the state, or leased. Tim Smith regional manager for state parks said they like partnering with the BLM as the best option. State Parks has become a self funded agency and they expect the expansion would be self-sustaining as well. Right now they have five employees at Goblin Valley and would expect that number to double. Goblin Valley visitation is way up and expected to keep growing. One problem listed is the BLM visitation is not recorded. There are sign-in sheets at Little Wild Horse and approximately 800 people sign in there on any given weekend. Visitation at Goblin Valley was 94,000 last year. The state park was involved in many rescues in that area as well. The Goblin Valley expansion project will move forward even if Bishop’s bill doesn’t go anywhere.
Mistie Christiansen, lands council member said one selling point for the expansion will be a local advisory council to help with the management of the state park.
“Who better to advise on that, (management) than the local users, that’s a vital part,” said Petersen.
Mark H. Williams, council member voiced his concern that the historical sites on the Swell are deteriorating including Swasey’s cabin. He hopes state parks will have some money to upgrade and repair these spots.
The Johnsons run cattle in Goblin Valley. It’s a real concern to them to see visitors to that area increasing. Tourists and campers don’t like the cows. The campers will camp right at the cows watering holes and the cattle can’t get to their water. Also the cows are being hit on SR-24 now that the road has been improved and speeds reach 70 mph on this road. The Johnsons are in there for 5.5 months and they have a lot of trouble in the spring. One option would be to fence the highway. It is now open range. Cattle crossings could be installed under the highway. The tourists do not know the meaning of the words open range and the flashing signs.
Jason Johnson said their cows have been moved without their knowledge out of certain areas. They have had cow licks moved by park employees. The kids working at the park didn’t understand the cattle and their water sources. He said they have a real concern on how the cattle will be managed. People block off the troughs.
Petersen said it all comes down to management. Everyone needs to be aware of all uses.
Wade Jensen said he has had his cattle paintballed and shot. He fears if people are charged to camp in more campgrounds, they will disperse and camp everywhere. This has happened on the forest with his sheep. Recreational users create problems with the cows and sheep. He’s afraid the feds will say just get rid of the grazing.
Petersen said with the uses in the area increasing that doing nothing isn’t the answer.
Christiansen said with incidents like shooting cows taking place, more managers out there could help prevent these episodes. Jensen said when a sheriff’s deputy was out there every day, it was a helpful deterrent to abuse of the animals. The deputies knew the cows and what they need. Jensen said, “I’ve had issues for 30 years. I don’t know where it’s headed.”
Smith said these issues need to be resolved. The state park could close camping around watering sources. Leon McElprang said the campers bring dogs that cause problems with the cattle. “The cows have got to be able to get to water,” said McElprang.
All existing trails around the park will remain.
Petersen said the resource must be managed or it will be lost.
Kelsey Berg, the Energy and Natural Resource advisor from Rep. Chaffetz’s office, said as the bill is prepared and written, these concerns can be addressed and decisions made according to each area.
Dusty Huntington said obviously the county is trying to promote the use of this area, but in his opinion cows and tourists don’t mix. It’s always the grazers that are restricted and not the tourists. “As things come to a head, we get cut and restricted, not the tourists. That’s what I see playing out. We’ll get more cuts. Promotions of recreation and tourists, don’t mix with cows. In my experience I see that the tourists win and the cows lose. At some point you have to restrict recreation. We’re already there (grazers). They tell us when to go out, they tell us when to come home, they tell us where to water, they tell us how high the grass has to be. You just can’t have everyone in the country coming here. I think we’ve gone way too far in promoting the Swell and we’re a day late and a dollar short.”
The boulderers in Joe’s Valley were mentioned that they are just beginning to be regulated and the county is behind with that. Determinations are being made of where they can camp, but the key message is doing nothing won’t solve anything. Recreation is going to continue to grow.
Smith said better marketing of multiple use must take place. Tourists should expect to see cows in the west. Make them part of the experience. Let the tourists know what to expect. Don’t allow them to camp in watering spots.
Ed Geary lands council chairman said in restricting visitors and users we have to remember we would restrict ourselves as well.
Mohsen said a balance must be struck. There is no easy answer. But plans need to be in place. Everyone needs to cooperate.
One of the first things needed is fencing and interpretive signs detailing uses for specific areas.
The lands council and park officials took a field trip to the proposed expansion area to view the land and discuss the issues on the ground. The next public lands meeting will be on Oct. 7.