Relations frayed over monument

Southern Utah's growing revolt against the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has captured the attention of Utah's congressional delegation.

Although the monument is in Democrat Rep. Jim Matheson's district, all three congressman plan to look into the issues raised in a letter sent by elected officials from Kane and Garfield counties to Sally Wisely, director of the Bureau of Land Management in Utah.

In the Aug. 25 letter, the officials asked for sweeping changes — including returning management of the 1.9-million-acre monument to local BLM authorities.

Fueling the fire is a growing monument staff that totals 86 employees — 62 permanent and 24 temporary.

"We are also deeply concerned about the monument management's preservation, limited use, management philosophy and the lack of a sincere effort at developing a good working relationship with local governments and residents," stated the letter, signed by six county commissioners, Kanab Mayor Kim Lawson, state Sen. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, and state Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab.

They sent copies of the letter to Utah's congressional delegation and BLM Director Kathleen Clarke.

"I am trying to get a hold of Sally Wisely," Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, told the Deseret Morning News on Tuesday. "I am concerned.

"First of all, there is the BLM monument staff, which has grown disproportionately beyond the need. And secondly, regardless of where you stand on the issue, the BLM does not have strong working relationships with local elected officials."

Wisely said she's willing to talk to the rural commissioners about their concerns but gave no timetable for doing so.

"I think what's most important is the long-term working relationship with the counties and BLM," Wisely said. "We're in it for the long haul. It's to everyone's benefit to have a good working relationship."

But there hasn't been a working relationship with locals for years, and recent events have shown a bad situation is getting worse. Recently, a Kane County commissioner and the county sheriff pulled out road-closure signs erected by the monument, prompting a federal investigation into possible criminal charges.

Although critics chastised the county officials' actions, others are more sympathetic.

"Rural Utah is full of hard-working and honest people," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. "In fact, federal law requires the input of these local citizens to be weighed more than other distant interests."