KCYN-KCPX NEWS Weds 21Nov2012

(Moab-Monticello)- Many residents of southeastern Utah are very concerned about the possible Presidential designation of a 1.4 million-acre Greater Canyon lands National Monument in the heart of San Juan County.
A group of Outdoor Retailers recently petitioned President Obama to make the declaration that would create such a monument.
The San Juan County Commission addressed the subject at their November 19 commission meeting. In addition to expressing opposition to a unilateral designation without consulting local leaders, Commissioners stated that the concerns of Native Americans have not been taken into account." While they (outdoor recreation groups) are focused on recreation, we are focused on helping people make a livelihood,” said Commissioner Bruce Adams. “Native Americans use the area to collect fire wood, food and herbs to sustain life. This is a much more fundamental need.”

The Greater Canyonlands proposal also includes federal land in Garfield, Wayne, Emery and Grand counties.
The proposal uses Canyonlands National Park as the anchor and would engulf large swaths of land in all directions. Except for private land, the proposed designation could roughly create national monument status for all public lands in San Juan County west of Highway 191 and north of Highway 95.
This could include the Indian Creek basin, Beef Basin, Horse Mountain, Abajo Mountains, Elk Ridge, Dark Canyon, and BLM ground south of the National Forest. Natural Bridges National Monument would be engulfed in the proposed designation.
Last evening a group of southeastern Utah residents attended a "Sagebrush Rebellion Meeting in Moab. Chairman of the group, James Tibbetts says a petition drive is being launched in Emery, Grand and San Juan Counties.
Signed petitions would then be forwarded to Utah's Congressional Delegation.
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(Moab Utah)
Channel Five news in Salt Lake is reporting A petition drive is underway to rename a popular canyon just outside of Moab because some people find the current name "embarrassing," or "disrespectful."
Officially, it's called Negro Bill Canyon, and for some, the name is an awkward reminder of outmoded racial attitudes.
"We definitely found the name a little alarming," said Sarah Bates of Boulder, Colorado. She visited the canyon with her husband during a break from a business trip through Moab.
The canyon was named for William "Bill" Grandstaff. According to Moab resident Louis Williams, who researched Grandstaff's history, the canyon was the site of an abandoned pioneer fort. Grandstaff moved into the fort and lived there from 1877 to 1881.
Last week, Moab Resident Louis Williams launched an on-line petition drive that quickly drew support from several hundred people. He eventually plans to petition the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, asking the board to change the name to "Grandstaff Canyon."
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PRICE — Two men were critically injured in an explosion and fire Tuesday at the Dry Canyon natural gas operations station.
Doug Jenkins was listed in critical condition at University Hospital's Intermountain Burn Center in Salt Lake City, according to a hospital spokeswoman. The name of the other man was not immediately available, but officials from the Carbon County Sheriff's Office said he is also listed in critical condition at the hospital having critical burns. The men were trying to evacuate the area when that explosion happened," said Carbon County Sheriff's Lt. Troy Christiansen. Emergency crews were called about 10 a.m. The lack cellphone communication in the area caused a delay of more than an hour before a 911 call could be made, Christiansen said. In fact, a passerby picked up the victims and drove them to meet an ambulance.
The damage to the facility is major.
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