The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Advisory Committee is holding a virtual meeting on February 29, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The meeting will include a public comment period from 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Since the Resource Management Planning process began in 2022, the BLM, local cooperating governmental agencies, and members of the Monument Advisory Committee, or MAC, have been exploring a range of plan alternatives that adhere to President Biden’s 2021 restoration of the monument. One of the biggest hang ups in this process has been the creation of a science plan.
The deadline for the RMP is now looming on March 1 of this year.
BLM wrote that planned agenda items for the February Grand Staircase MAC meeting would include:
- Administrative business.
- A status update on the monument RMP.
- A public comment period.
- Election of the advisory committee chairperson.
The election comes as Escalante resident Dr. Bill Weppner’s term as chairman comes to an end. Dr. Weppner, who has been pro-access, pro-grazing throughout his term, was elected by the committee in the summer of 2022 on a 7-6 vote.
The public comment period will most likely focus around the status and completion of the monument RMP.
“Given the potential number of participants during the public comment period,” wrote BLM, “the time allotted for individual comments may be limited. Public comments may be emailed in advance to [email protected]. Comments received prior to the meeting will be recorded in the meeting minutes.” BLM asks that those requiring reasonable accommodations contact the bureau no later than seven days prior to the meeting.
See the agenda and meeting access information at https://bit.ly/3QGqaqJ. Participants must register in advance via Zoom to attend at https://bit.ly/422DIlS.
– The Byway
Feature image courtesy of the BLM.
Read more about local monument issues in County Officials Vent Frustrations to BLM over Monument Plan.
Read about how to write an effective comment here.