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Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday March 2, 1983 - Page 9 Navajos denied voice in BLM resource management plan, says commissioner The public comment process for the BLM San Juan Resource Management Plan has gone awry, says County Commissioner Ken Bailey. Ironically, the plan has as it purpose the protection of the rights of the public, but in reality has excluded those most affected, Bailey said. In this case, some of those most affected are Native Americans living on the Navajo reservation in San Juan County and gathering wood for private use on Cedar Mesa. The resource management plan, as written, will not only curtail wood gathering on Cedar Mesa, it will eliminate certain wood gathering areas, Bailey said. This plan might somehow fit somewhere on earth, says Bailey, but for this unique area, it is a radical plan. It denies the traditional rights of Navajos, and will cause them undue, unnecessary and unforeseen problems. Their and very existence is threatened by this management plan. San Juan Navajos comprise about 40 percent of county population. Bailey says because of the way the BLM has administered the public comment process, Navajos are t being denied a voice. remote live a in area They and do not have the opportunity to become involved. They are far removed from the news media and they request that their comments come through the Navajo Tribe and Cahp-ters- . ment gives a distinct advantage to and environmental groups and pressure groups. In reality, those groups submit one statement 500 or 600 times, with each statement carrying the same weight as a statement from the governor, county commissioners, or a Navajo Tribal Chapter. Those who basically have nothing to lose have been given the greatest involvement. They have been given consideration over all local people who will be affected by the plan. Bailey said emotion ran high at the February Oljato Chapter meeting during a discussion of the proposed resource management plan. Of the 137 Navajos in attendance, some were so emotionally distraught they could not comment. Some would sign their name in opposition to the plan only if I agreed to present their view well-organiz- d Some did comment, though they did not understand ACECs (Areas of Critical Enpoint. life-styl- e The process of public well-finance- ed vironmental Concern) and what wilderness designation means. Bailey said when he asked who gathers wood along Highway 261 on Cedar Mesa, nearly every hand went up and a comment was made that it would take an army of armed men to keep them out. Along with a cover letter, Bailey sent 14 comments and two petitions from Oljato Chapter members to the Utah congressional delegation and to Governor Bangerter. One pe- - com- - . tition bears 27 signatures, the other has 43 signatures. Following are some quotes from the letters; The firewood I gather is the only source of heat I have to keep my family warm. I have been hauling wood from there all the time. I burn wood for heating and cooking. dont want to park on the side highway when I gather wood. Because Im not that I strong. is now seeing patients in Blanding at Family Dental Clinic 1 5 East Center 678-2- 8 1 5 Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dr. Miller sees patients in Monticello Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 587-252- 8 Unless the Department of Energy helps the domestic uranium industry get back on its feet, the United States may one day be forced to rely on the Soviet Union for its defense-relate- d uranium, an uncomfortable position to be in, according to Congressman Howard Nielson. The Unites States only sources for uranium are the domestic industry, Canada, or the Soviet Union. Since Canada has laws near-defun- Zephyr concert Thursday night Enthusiasm and freshness characterize the Zephyr String Quartet, one of Utahs newly emerging performing groups. Alumni of the University of Utah and its Honors Quartet, these musicians bring together experience and education gained from region, national and international study. They will be on stage Thursday, March 3 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Monticello High in a concert sponsored by Blue Mountain Entertainment. Principal violinist Lynnette Oliphant Thredgold is a former member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra and has been a soloist with the University of Utah Chamber Ensemble and the BYU Chamber Orchestra. Jeff Parry is the quartets newest member. As a 1986 Utah State Fair Winner, he was selected to perform as soloist with the Utah Symphony on their annual Salute to Youth concert. He received the presidential scholarship at the University of Utah and is a member of the Pioneer Theater Company and Ballet West orchestras. Hope Bowden attended the National Music Camp at Inter-locheMichigan and has studied with faculty from the Tours Conservatory of Music in France. Richard Hoyt, cellist, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Utah and received his masters degree from Eastman School of Music. n, G.O. Miller, D.D.S. Nielson says trade agreement must consider U. S. uranium needs ct against exporting uranium for defense purposes, the United States may one day be forced to depend on the Soviet Union for its uranium, Nielson said. That would be an uncomfortable position to be in. Nielsons comments were made last week while questioning administration officials on how the proposed U. S. Canada Free Trade Agreement would help or hinder the viability of the domestic uranium industry. While the U. S. has current stockpiles of uranium, these wont last forever. Its imperative that we maintain our Bailey will seek Ken Bailey announced last week his decision to seek re- election as District 1 county commissioner. He says he enjoys being a commissioner and is motivated by a desire to see a job through. There has been and will be opportunities to make decisions that help move the county forward and make it a better and more desirable place to live. He says he will work to protect the $7.5 million trust fund accumulated while he has been commissioner. The funds, he says, are important, especially in the event of a catas-tropi- c drop in assessed county evaluation. Unfinished business he hopes to influence in the future includes supporting the double JJ $1.30 reg. Waterless Hand Cleaner For tough jobs at home or in the shop Waterless hand cleaner quickly removes tar, oil, grease and grime. Easy on your hands because it contains conditioners. All the right parts in all the right places BLANDING MOTOR PARTS 54 East 100 South 678-231- 2 domestic industry in order to provide for our defense needs. If the proposed agreement eliminates Canadian subsidies and dumping practices, then the U. S. uranium industry will have a better shot at competing in the marketplace and I think the agreement will benefit Nielson consumers overall, said. The proposed agreement would eliminate the Department of Energys legal obligation to assist the ailing domestic industry, an obligation the DOE is also currently fighting in Court. Nielson said he needs as- surances on several other points before he could fully support the proposed Free Trade Agreement. The agreement should ban subsidies and dumping of steel as well as uranium, Nielson said. Canada must also agree to stop the practice of transshipping steel, a practice that has allowed other countries to avoid voluntary restraint agreements with the United States. steel-producin- g re-electi- on taxation lawsuit initiated by oil companies against the county, and stabilization of countv health care. This means supporting the hospital in Monticello and trying to recruit more physicians to practice in San Juan. He says he will continue to work to prevent government land managers from locking up government land for single use at the expense of grazing, firewood gathering, and oil and mining production. His priorities include better roads and road maintenance, continuing to serve on the State Joint Road Committee, working with municipalities to increase tourism and industrial development, working with oil companies to stimulate oil production in San J uan, and upgrading senior citizen centers and programs. Bailey hopes to continue in his assigned role as commissioner in charge of the $4 million public safety complex under construction in Monticello. The complex, built at a cost of $220,000 to the county, includes expanded jail facilities. Bailey hopes to be instru- mental in negotiating a con- tract to house state prisoners to help defray operating expenses. He claims a good working relationship with commissioners of other counties and says he can provide continuity and stability in county |