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Show Cannon Explains Changes Potential For GSENM WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Con-gressman Chris Cannon (R-UT), whose district includes the 1.9 million mil-lion acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, today announced an-nounced that Congress will soon review and revise the Monument and its management plan. "As those familiar with the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument know, it was created with little forethought and with no local input," said Cannon. "The Monument was created under a cloak of darkness, not as a sound public land management tool, but as a gross political tool. That lack of due process has resulted in an impossible management burden, and in economic disaster for the surrounding sur-rounding communities." Cannon continued, "Under the leadership of House Resources Committee Chairman Jim Hansen (R-UT), we now have an opportunity opportu-nity to review, revise and redesign the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Na-tional Monument. And this time we will do it right. While we're not yet sure what the end result will be, we can assure the public that the emerging plan will be based on (See CANNON page 6-A) "CANNON From Front Page solid science, and will represent a balance between preservation and responsible access to and use of public lands." While Cannon made it clear that there is no intention to completely reverse its creation, possible actions . on the Monument include: Redrawing existing boundaries Legislation to revise the management man-agement plan, completely or in-part Reducing the size of the Monument, and including it in a larger conservation area designed to provide multiple use opportunities Creation of a local review board with input into the Monument's Monu-ment's management plan Reversal of current road closures clo-sures and a ban on future road clo- sures Renewal of livestock grazing permits and the elimination of closed grazing allotments Renewal of mineral claims and leases Requiring legislative approval of the Monument management plan Congressman Cannon also announced an-nounced that his office will host a series of open meetings to solicit public input from all interested parties par-ties on the future of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Monu-ment. Cannon concluded, "Whatever eventually emerges as the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Monu-ment will be the result of a careful, thoughtful and inclusive process that will unite us in our love for this rugged and beautiful part of our state." |
