Public comment lasted over an hour at the San Juan County Commissionâs regular meeting on Jan. 5, as citizens from Grand and San Juan counties shared their arguments for and against allowing Rally on the Rocks, the popular UTV event, to take place on a piece of county property in Spanish Valley this year.
Event organizers had previously announced the eventâs headquarters and staging area would be moved from Grand County to the San Juan side of the county line in response to recent ordinances restricting UTV speeds and a perception that the Grand County Commission was unsupportive of the event. Indeed, the Grand County Commission voted on Dec. 5 to deny the event a 2021 permit, citing residentsâ complaints about noise pollution, event organizersâ refusal to comply with county criteria for the event, and other disturbances.
KZMU News: Friday January 8, 2020
The newly seated Grand County Commission might have some fresh faces, but all have worked for years in various capacities across our community. That’s certainly true for Sarah Stock, who was appointed on Tuesday to fill the vacant District 3 seat. Stock grew up in Castle Valley, and has worked largely in community service, especially on issues surrounding environmental justice. Today on the news, her thoughts as she begins her role as Grand County Commissioner.
Plus, our Weekly News Reel! where local newspaper reporters discuss their latest stories about our area. First (8:00), some water news from
KZMU News: Wednesday January 6, 2021
San Juan County denied Rally on the Rocks a permit to stage their spring ATV event at the Old Airport Road in Spanish Valley. Although chair Willie Grayeyes said he would welcome the event in Blanding or Monticello, approving the event’s headquarters in Spanish Valley – just a few miles from the border of Grand County – might cause a loss of trust between the two governing bodies. Plus, Grand’s newly seated commission unanimously approved a letter to President Elect Joe Biden requesting that his administration immediately restore the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument to its original size. And, water advocate Sarah Stock is appointed to serve a two-year term on the Grand County Commission.
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You can find Lee and Debbie Elmgreens ranch at a shrubby fork in the narrow canyons of the Book Cliffs. On a recent fall day the greens have a map of southeastern Utah spread across their dining room table.
Lee Elmgreen is reading a new report by the Bureau of Land Management. It s a 1300 page study of a plan to put a massive road in their backyard.
LEE: The scope of this work included a review of available information. And a one day visual windshield reconnaissance of the project.
The 35-mile highway would carve through the enormous stretch of undesignated wilderness that abuts their property. The Elmgreens worry the road is unrealistic in the tight and steep gorges. They also worry it will harm ancient petroglyphs painted on the canyon s walls.