San Rafael Swell National Monument?
It has been disclosed that the San Rafael Swell is currently under consideration by President Obama to be designated a National Monument.
Congressman Rob Bishop (R) of Utah revealed a memo, containing information that President Obama is considering using his executive power to set aside 14 areas in 8 western states as National Monuments. The Utah congressional delegation has expressed surprise and outrage at the plans which have been drawn up without any notification or input from the respective state representatives. The White House is claiming that the leaked information is just drafts for potential use and there are no definite plans as of yet. A similar move was made by former President Bill Clinton when he designated the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah without any prior notice to the now late Congressman Bill Orton.
As the President considers the 14 areas in the west for monument designation, we must look to the recent past to help us understand what changes may occur and what may remain the same in the San Rafael Swell. Because the designation will come with different rules and limitations depending on which federal agency will receive control and responsibility of the land, it is important to understand the uniqueness of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and how it is designated and why it was done the way it was. If the current administration follows the same path as the Clinton administration and places the new monument under the control of the BLM, much of the management of the area will remain the same in the short term. The reason for this type of designation would be to allow the United States Congress to retain the power to designate most of the new monument as Wilderness Areas.
Before the Grand Staircase-Escalante all national monuments were under the National Parks system where there are much different rules for designating wilderness. Wilderness Areas have been a very contentious issue in the west and this potential move by the current President, while legal, will not lessen that contention.
When more is known about this leaked information and the plans that are included, we will add as much as is possible to this site for our visitors. In the mean time please visit our sponsors sites so we can continue to provide new and as much information as we can.
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SanRafaelSwell.Org,
A place for fun and adventure
Utah has many popular tourist destinations but few of these are as near to the Wasatch front and as open for enjoyment as the San Rafael Swell. Two thousand square miles of narrow, circuitous canyons, scenic cliffs and towering buttes make up one of Utah's best outdoor playgrounds. The "Swell" is particularly suited for many activities such as camping, hiking, biking, rock climbing, sightseeing, ORVs and even canoeing.
This large geologic anticline is located between Castle Dale, Green River, Price and Hanksville. It began its formation 50 million years ago. Over time the sandstone has slowly been lifted and through erosion many cliffs and canyons have been carved. Enormous pressures from a deep basement fault have pushed Wingate and Navajo sandstone on the Eastern edge, the "San Rafael Reef," near vertical.
Although some areas of the "Swell" are very remote, many wonderful sites are as available as stopping at a freeway rest stop. I-70 divides the "Swell" in half a Northern and a Southern section. There are good graveled roads that lead to Reds Canyon, Temple Mountain and Hidden Splendor in the South. In the North graded roads lead to Buckhorn Wash, Little Grand Canyon and Mexican Mountain. For the more adventurous sight seers there are much more difficult roads which take you even more stunning locations.