BLUFF, Utah – On Saturday, July 16, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Under Secretary of Agriculture Robert Bonnie will host a public meeting to hear about community visions for the management of the region’s public lands, including Congressman Bishop and Chaffetz’s Public Lands Initiative and the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition’s proposal to designate a new national monument. The visit builds on the Administration’s work to support locally-driven efforts to preserve and protect places that hold special meaning to communities across the country.
Jewell and Bonnie will be joined by tribal leaders, Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, Acting Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Roberts and Forest Service Associate Chief Dan Jirón. During their time in Utah, the Administration officials will tour various sites in the Eastern part of the state with community leaders, Utah delegation representatives and local land managers to better understand the local views related to the future of the area’s public lands.
Southern Utah is a land of spectacular natural beauty, important historical resources, and areas of significance to local tribes. The area also contains thousands of currently unprotected cultural and archaeological sites, including well-preserved cliff dwellings and rock art. Home to recreation hubs like Moab, Utah, the region is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including off-highway vehicle travelers, hikers, rock climbers and hunters. Some public lands in the area also have a long history of being used for grazing, energy development, and other commercial activities.
WHO:
U.S. Secretary Sally Jewell, Department of the Interior
Robert Bonnie, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
Neil Kornze, Bureau of Land Management Director
Jon Jarvis, National Park Service Director
Larry Roberts, Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs
Dan Jirón, Forest Service Associate Chief
Local leaders, stakeholders, and community members
WHAT:
Community Meeting on Utah Conservation Priorities
WHEN:
Saturday, July 16 at 1:00– 4:00 p.m. MDT
WHERE:
Bluff Community Center
Corner of Third and Mulberry Avenue
Bluff, UT 84512
RSVP:
Media interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here by 5:00 p.m. MDT on Friday, July 15.
Source: Department of Interior
