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BLM, USDA Forest Service announce public meetings for Bears Ears National Monument draft plan

Utah
Canyon Country DO
Media Contact

MONTICELLO, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service have announced five in-person and two virtual public meetings, which will provide forums for the public to learn more about the Bear Ears National Monument Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. 

On March 8, 2024, the agencies initiated a public comment period for the Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, proposed recreational shooting closures, and proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Comments will be accepted through June 11, 2024.

The BLM and Forest Service will host seven public meetings. During the open houses, the agencies will provide a brief presentation twice (once at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Dates, times, and locations of the meetings are:

  • Virtual Meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT - Register to attend on Zoom.
  • Salt Lake City, UT open house on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT - Marriot – University Park, 480 S. Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108
  • Blanding, UT open house on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT - Utah State University Blanding, 576 West 200 South, Blanding, UT, 84511
  • Virtual Meeting on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MDT - Register to attend on Zoom.
  • Twin Arrows, AZ open house on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MST - Twin Arrows Casino Resort, 22181 Resort Boulevard, Twin Arrows, AZ, 86004
  • Albuquerque, NM open house on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT- ABQ Marriott Courtyard, 5151 Journal Center Boulevard., Albuquerque, NM, 87109
  • Monument Valley, UT open house on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT Monument Valley High School, US State Highway #163, Monument Valley, UT, 84536

The BLM and Forest Service have incorporated considerable input from the Bears Ears Commission, the State of Utah, other cooperating agencies, and the public into the draft plan. The plan, associated documents and instructions for submitting comments electronically (preferred) are available on the BLM National NEPA Register. Comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” function on the BLM National NEPA Register or mail input to ATTN: Monument Planning, BLM Monticello Field Office, 365 North Main, Monticello, UT 84535.

Images of Bears Ears National Monument are available on BLM's Flickr and Forest Service’s Flickr.