Friday June 2, 2023

The Bureau of Land Management owns 245 million acres of lands in the U.S, including about 40% of the lands in Utah. And to manage this landscape, the federal agency uses a doctrine of multiple use and sustained yield. That’s why oil and gas, grazing, and recreation often co-exist on BLM lands. But what about conservation? Today on the news, we report on a rule that would clarify conservation as its own use on public lands. Plus, critics say a recent Supreme Court ruling is putting waterways at risk of pollution. And, communities across the West are preparing for flooding after a big snow season.

// And later, the Weekly News Reel! Sophia Fisher of The Times-Independent discusses a new proposed resort near Ken’s Lake, a potential wastewater treatment facility near Moonflower Canyon in Kane Creek, the future of Grand County’s economic diversification funds following changes that abridged the original plan, and Times-Independent editor Doug McMurdo’s adventures in Cataract Canyon. Alison Harford of the Moab Sun News talks about a nonprofit’s plans to start construction on an affordable housing project in Green River. Plus, she tells us about the upcoming ArtWalk, and what’s on the agenda for Pride Month in Moab.

// Show Notes:

// BLM Public Lands Rule
https://www.blm.gov/public-lands-rule

// Mountain West News Bureau: Supreme Court sides with Idaho couple, undercuts EPA’s power to regulate wetlands
https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/news/2023-05-30/supreme-court-sides-with-idaho-couple-undercuts-epas-power-to-regulate-wetlands

// KDNK: Redstone residents band together to face flooding concerns
https://www.kdnk.org/local-news/2023-06-01/redstone-residents-band-together-to-face-flooding-concerns

// The Times-Independent: Ken’s Lake resort approved for rezone
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/kens-lake-resort-approved-for-rezone/

// The Times-Independent: Kane Creek development pursues wastewater plant
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/kane-creek-development-pursues-wastewater-plant/

// The Times-Independent: Remaining diversification funds could bolster student center, business loans
https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/remaining-diversification-funds-could-bolster-student-center-business-loans/

// The Times-Independent: The Old Man and the (North) Seas
​https://www.moabtimes.com/articles/the-old-man-and-the-north-seas/

// Moab Sun News: Green River nonprofit to build 10 new housing units
https://moabsunnews.com/2023/06/01/canal-commons/

// Moab Sun News: June ArtWalk to highlight illustrators, photographers
https://moabsunnews.com/2023/06/01/june-artwalk-2023/

// Moab Sun News: Celebrate Pride Month with Moab Pride
https://moabsunnews.com/2023/06/01/celebrate-pride-month/