|
Public comments submitted on the proposed management plan for Bears Ears National Monument overwhelmingly encourage the federal government to use Indigenous Knowledge as it manages the landscape.
BLM received more than 20,000 comments on the management plan, according to the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. Bears Ears marks the first time the federal government has included Tribal nations in a co-management plan for a national monument.
“For the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Bears Ears holds profound cultural and spiritual significance,” said Malcom Lehi, White Mesa Council Representative and Bears Ears Commissioner for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. “Our ancestors have cared for this land for centuries, and our traditions are deeply intertwined with its landscapes. Our Tribes lent centuries of invaluable knowledge to this resource plan to ensure that this landscape is here for generations to enjoy long after we are all gone.”
The five Tribes in the Inter-Tribal Coalition are reviewing the public comments along with the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, and will incorporate the feedback into the monument's final management plan.
|
Because they are in a situation where the ranch owner is a billionaire, they are asking who is going to have our back? Are they going to be protected? I hope I was able to give them an outlet and send them a message that I’m here to listen.” 
