Recreation enthusiasts in southeastern Utah are ticked off that the BLM has denied access for four-wheelers and others on federal land near Blanding. The BLM says that the area and ancient, historic Native American sites have been degraded by too much land traffic in recent years.
Protesters want the BLM to act more quickly on their demands to renew access for their four-wheelers; hiking and horseback riding are currently allowed. There was an organized and peaceful protest in Blanding, but some of the crowd rode their four-wheelers onto the land anyway; one of those is alleged to be Ryan Bundy, son of Cliven Bundy at the now famous Bundy Ranch.
According to Fox News, about 30 deputies and a handful of BLM law enforcement personnel observed the protest, organized by San Juan County commissioner Phil Lyman. BLM has said they consider the general nature of the protest to be peaceful, but still intend to chase down and charge those involved with the illegal entry.
Based on the facts as presented, I'm going to stand on the side of the BLM this time. It does not appear to me that this is anything like a phony case of a non-existent desert tortoise decline or a land scheme designed to make some Chinese investors and their American representatives rich. Instead, it appears to me that the BLM is legitimately trying to preserve historical archaeological sites of Native American origin.
How would you like it if the Native Americans started wandering through Gettysburg or Arlington on their four-wheelers? If the facts are indeed as stated, either the State of Utah or the Federal government should turn the land in question into a protected park... or, better yet, put it back in the hands of the Native Americans.
That's MY AMERICAN OPINION, respectfully submitted.
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