- Utah legislator persuades state attorney general to probe ties between Bear Ears Inter-tribal Coalition and environmental non-profits.
- Rangers with Arches National Park are dismayed over the appearance of deeply carved graffiti in a red-rock formation known as Frame Arch.
Charging that the Bears Ears Inter-tribal Coalition is being manipulated by environmentalists, a Utah legislator has persuaded the state Constitutional Defense Council, a states’ rights group, to ask the state attorney general to probe ties between the tribes and nonprofits. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Mike Noel of Kanab said outside interests have influenced the Inter-tribal Coalition to ask President Obama to create a 1.9-million-acre national monument in San Juan County. The Intertribal Coalition includes the Navajo, Ute Mountain Ute, Zuni, Hopi and Uintah-Ouray Ute tribes. The Tribune says the lone Democrat on the council insisted there be an investigation of groups opposing Bears Ears as well. Meanwhile, the Cortez Journal reports that members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe voiced support for the monument proposal at a community meeting in Towaoc Thursday.
Rangers with Arches National Park are dismayed over the appearance of deeply carved graffiti in a red-rock formation known as Frame Arch. The Associated Press reports the markings are 5 to 6 feet across and include writings with names and messages. Park Superintendent Kate Cannon reportedly said erasing or minimizing the etchings will be difficult. The announcement comes as concern grows about increasing vandalism in national parks across the country. Several years ago, one vandal created paintings in famous landscapes and shared them on social media, sparking outrage.
