The Bureau of Land Management’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) Advisory Committee will meet May 7 and 8 in Escalante, Utah.
The Monument Advisory Committee, or MAC, was established under authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 and the Monument Management Plan signed November 1999 with the stated purpose to “…advise Monument managers on science issues and the achievement of Management Plan objectives.”
The committee is comprised of 15 members, seven of which are scientists from the fields of archaeology, paleontology, geology, botany, wildlife biology, social science and systems ecology. The other members include one local elected official from both Kane and Garfield Counties, one representative each from State and Tribal governments, one from the environmental community, one educator, one from the outfitter and guide community operating within the Monument, and one from the ranching community holding permits on the Monument. As a committee, its members will provide insight into community and stakeholders concerns to Monument leadership.
During these two days of meetings, the Committee will receive an update on the Monument Management Plan amendment; updates on the Colorado Mesa University Visitor Experience Baseline Study and the Arizona State University Appreciative Inquiry Study on Tourism; subcommittee reports; and GSENM division reports. The committee will also review of the draft BLM-Utah National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) strategic plan.
The meeting will be held in the main conference room at the Interagency Visitor Center located at 755 West Main, Escalante, Utah. The meeting on May 7 will begin at 1 p.m. local time, and conclude at 6 p.m.; while the meeting on May 8 will begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at approximately 5 p.m. A field trip is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on May 8.
Members of the public are welcome to address the committee from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., local time on May 7. Interested persons may make oral statements to the MAC during this time, or written statements may be submitted for the committee's consideration. Depending on the number of persons wishing to speak, a time limit may be established. Written statements can be sent to: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Attn.: Larry “E” Crutchfield, 669 S. Hwy 89A, Kanab, UT 84741.
All meetings, including field trips, are open to the public; however, transportation, lodging, and meals are the responsibility of the participating public if they are not members of the Advisory Committee.
For further information, contact Larry “E” Crutchfield, Public Affairs Officer, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Bureau of Land Management, at (435) 644-1209 or lcrutchf@blm.gov.
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