From John Stewart, Cal4Wheel Natural Resources Consultant

The Department of Interior is taking public comments concerning its review of the Antiquities Act of 1906 and National Monuments created under this Act. BlueRibbon Coalition has made it very easy to submit comments. See: http://bit.ly/MoreInfo051717a

A review of National Monuments and the process to create them is long overdue. The Trump Administration has made it a reality. We must take advantage of the opportunity to affect the changes we want. Everyone who has an issue with National Monuments needs to weigh in on this. This action requires no money and no special expertise - just a couple of minutes of your time.

As Trail Leader, you should plan for issues and problems. Some plans are generic since you cannot predict the exact situation. You apply your skills, tools, and techniques to the problem. A first aid kit is a good example. 

For some issues you can speculate what might happen and develop a specific contingency plan. One that falls into that category is the need to leave your vehicle behind. 

May 4, 2017 - With fire season approaching, homeowners and communities can make their homes safer from wildfire by reducing flammable materials and creating more defensible space around their property.

These ten safety tips can help firefighters and protect homes and neighborhoods from wildfires:

• Clear leaves and other debris from roofs, gutters, porches and decks. This helps prevent embers from igniting your home.
• Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house.
• Screen in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (May 4, 2017) -- A settlement involving BLM Utah travel management has been favorably received by the courts, and is poised on final approval. Recall that a proposed settlement agreement was filed in U.S. District Court in Utah on January 13, 2017, affecting roughly ten million acres of lands in six BLM Utah field offices.

Following months of negotiations, the proposed agreement was signed by the BLM, preservationist plaintiffs led by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, and OHV advocacy organizations the BlueRibbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, and Trails Preservation Alliance. Two groups of energy companies and the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) did not sign the settlement but do not object to it, while San Juan/Kane Counties, and the State of Utah along with six other counties, filed written objections and urged the court to reject the settlement.

PARON – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission would like to remind everyone to be cautious and use good judgment when driving around water or deciding to go through with previously planned trips involving on-the-water recreation. Wildlife officers and other swift-water recovery teams were involved in many operations during the last week, but the work is far from over.