Monument’s friends, foes jockey for Zinke’s ear
Recently designated sites under review
MONTICELLO, Utah — Fifthgeneration Utah rancher Bruce Adams enjoyed a prime seat next to U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke as he toured a national monument created on land in Utah that Adams’ ancestors helped settle in 1879.
Adams, a county commissioner, joined Zinke on a horseback ride and a helicopter ride, describing the landscape of Bears Ears National Monument — one of 27 such sites that President Donald Trump has ordered Zinke to review to determine if they were properly established as monuments. Two monuments in New Mexico are on the list.
Adams, who opposes a monument in the area, said Tuesday he gave Zinke a cowboy hat bearing the phrase “Make San Juan County Great Again” and told him the monument designation could hurt residents’ ability to earn a living from livestock and agriculture.
Adams was one of many opponents and supporters of Bears Ears who jockeyed for position with Zinke on his four-day visit to Utah. Some Native Americans and environmental groups worried that Zinke listened much more to opponents.
Zinke met for an hour on Sunday with a coalition of tribal leaders who spent years campaigning for the monument on sacred tribal land that’s home to ancient cliff dwellings and other archaeological sites.
In Bears Ears on Monday, one woman wearing a T-shirt supportive of the monument asked Zinke why he only met with tribal leaders for such a short time.
Zinke, who was shaking another supporter’s hand, turned to face the woman and said: “Be nice.”
The Utah Diné Bikéyah tribal coalition said in a statement Tuesday night that Zinke spent too much time with monument opponents and the hour-long meeting was an insufficient “tip of the hat” to local native people.
Zinke spent time in closeddoor meetings Sunday and Monday with Utah’s Republican elected officials, including Gov. Gary Herbert, who has called for the repeal of the monument designation.
Some later accompanied him on the helicopter ride and a short hike in the monument to look at cliff dwellings — as media and Bears Ears supporters were kept at a distance.
State and federal officials said the hike was a private meeting.
On Tuesday afternoon, Zinke, Adams and other government officials took a horseback ride out to twin buttes that give the monument its name. The twohour ride was another private meeting and wasn’t disclosed by Zinke’s staff.
Adams said Tuesday evening that despite spending so much time with Zinke, he doesn’t know whether the secretary will recommend the monument be rescinded.
Zinke on Tuesday visited a conservation area and ranch in the monument. He did point out that despite the contentious debate in Utah, all sides agree that at least some of the land needs protection.
“I think there’s a solution out there,” said Zinke.