Bears Ears committee has 2 spots for tribes

15-member body to advise BLM on how to manage monument

SALT LAKE CITY — A 15-person advisory committee for the downsized Bears Ears National Monument on Utah land considered sacred to Native Americans will include two spots for tribal representatives — three less than what a tribal coalition thinks they should get.

The Bureau of Land Management said Thursday that it will accept nominations until Oct. 1 for spots earmarked for people from different groups who are interested in contributing opinions about the management of the 315 square mile-monument in southeastern Utah.

There are openings for two people who represent outdoor recreation sports such as fishing and off-roading that involve going into the wilderness in jeeps or ATVs, and two spots for people representing the general public, with the description specifically mentioning sportsmen or sportswomen.

The committee calls for one spot each for a San Juan County elected official, a representative from state government, a paleontologist, an archaeologist, conservationist, hunter, private landowner, a local business owner and a cattle rancher who has a grazing permit in the monument.

The BLM will coordinate with the Utah governor’s office to make recommendations that will be sent to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who will make the final decision.

Gov. Gary Herbert is a Republican who applauded President Donald Trump’s decision in December to downsize the Bears Ears National Monument by about 85 percent based on a recommendation from Zinke.