| Printable Newsletter | Newsletter Archives |
|
National Register Listings Begin |
Spring 2010
To say the least, 2009 was a busy year for the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition. We not only sponsored our Annual Clean-up Day in Nine Mile Canyon in April and the annual Fall Gathering in September, but we were involved in many other activities that we hoped would promote the preservation and protection of the Canyon and its rich cultural resources, both prehistoric and historic. Near the end of 2009 and at the beginning of 2010, we saw some of these efforts come to fruition. It was working with other organizations and groups that made positive action possible. The list of these groups and organizations, as well as individuals who were helpful is long, but we would like to especially thank: the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Utah Rock Art Research Association, Colorado Plateau Archaeological Alliance, and the Utah Statewide Archaeological Society. Bill Walsh (one of our current Directors and former Chair), who has long supported the nomination of Nine Mile Canyon sites to the National Register of Historic Places, has written an article in this edition of the newsletter detailing how the first 63 sites are now on the Register. All told, this took more than 30 years and the efforts of many to achieve, and the good news is that more sites will be nominated. In early 2009 the Coalition was invited by the BLM to be a Consulting Party (relating to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act) in the planning and development of a programmatic agreement (PA) for the West Tavaputs Plateau Natural Gas Full Field Development Plan. Coalition representatives attended meetings with representatives of the BLM, various Utah State agencies, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Carbon and Duchesne Counties, industry, and numerous Consulting Parties interested in the well-being of Nine Mile Canyon. The Coalition’s representatives gladly volunteered their time, travel expenses, and energy to participate in the Section 106 process. We had been told that it was a process and a "conversation" between the various groups participating. Indeed, as the months passed, we saw that such was the case. When the process was at last complete, the Coalition had to make a decision about whether to sign the PA as a concurring party or not. Certainly the Coalition did not gain its most important objective through the PA, which was an alternative route that would direct industrial traffic through a much shorter portion of Nine Mile Canyon, thus greatly lessening the impact on cultural resources. On the other hand, the PA does contain certain protections for the cultural resources in the canyon and some adjacent areas which were not previously in place. In deciding to sign the PA, the Coalition signaled its on-going commitment to the protection and preservation of the canyon by being willing to continue its involvement with the PA process as it moves forward. The signing of the PA at the Utah State Capitol on January 5, 2010 was celebrated by those, including the Coalition, who had traveled on the long path of its development. When the PA was announced and the media became involved, as is often the case, the Coalition took a few "hits" from the media and others. Some apparently thought we were too happy about the signing of the PA, and others thought we were not happy enough. As Pam Miller, our President, has noted, the signing of the PA is not the end of the process, it is just the first step. In order for the PA to have any real value, the provisions it contains must be faithfully carried out. The Coalition wants to see the PA be successful and is hopeful that the signatories will carry out their obligations as expected. Another highlight of 2009, although the Coalition was not directly involved, were the improvements carried out at the Great Hunt Panel in Cottonwood Canyon. We salute those who dedicated their time and efforts to giving better protection to this wonderful site. The Coalition is continuing its efforts in Nine Mile Canyon during 2010. There is much left to do, and we plan to continue educating the public about the value of the canyon with its amazing prehistoric and historic legacy. There is also the possibility of organizing a site stewardship program, and we will let you know more about that as things develop. Sometime during 2010, we hope to have a fun celebration of some of the successes of the past year – all achieved with the help and support of many individuals and groups. Stay tuned for more information about this, as we’d like to invite all of the friends of Nine Mile Canyon to celebrate with us. [contents]
National Register Listings Begin There was great joy in Utah and the nation among Nine Mile Canyon and rock art enthusiasts on November 30, 2009: the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)finally listed sixty-three sites in Nine Mile Canyon on the National Register. The Nine Mile Canyon sites, 27 in Duchesne County and 36 in Carbon County, join more than 80,000 other significant national heritage listings on the National Register. With Nine Mile’s 800+ officially recorded sites, and many more known but unrecorded, it would have been much simpler to list the entire canyon on the Register, but we won’t quibble at this point. Background on the Nomination process:
So What’s Next? Interestingly, the Nomination covers prehistoric and historic properties. The Coalition originally wanted that to be the case, but was told to do one at a time. At the last minute BLM and SHPO decided to include both. Consequently the Coalition NRHP Nomination bank account shows a surplus and we can apply that to registering more sites. Utah Rock Art Research Association (URARA) volunteers in Salt Lake City are busy at work with the State BLM Archeologist, Byron Loosle, preparing the paperwork to register additional sites. Mr. Loosle facilitated the completion of the BLM process. There is talk among some landowners in Nine Mile to also nominate sites on their property to the NRHP and they are looking at nominating districts rather than individual sites. There is discussion going on about having an event in the fall of 2010 to celebrate the listing of the canyon with a symposium or similar event. There could even be a party! The Coalition is grateful to everyone involved with securing the Nomination of Nine Mile Canyon to the National Register. The list of individuals is too long to print here, but we offer special thanks to the following organizations: [contents]
West Tavaputs Programmatic Agreement On January 4, 2010, Nine Mile Canyon Coalition Chair Deanne Matheny and President Pam Miller participated in the signing ceremony for the West Tavaputs Programmatic Agreement. It was an historic moment, the culmination of nearly a year of conversation and compromise for the sake of the cultural resources in Nine Mile Canyon. Representatives of government agencies, industry, and preservation groups were present to sign the agreement as signatories or concurring parties. The Coalition is a concurring party. The Coalition feels it is important to protect the past for future generations, and it would be irresponsible to destroy the cultural wonders of Nine Mile Canyon in a rush to develop the natural gas fields on the West Tavaputs Plateau. The Coalition has been soundly and roundly criticized by groups not understanding the complexity of the issues facing the cultural resources in the canyon or our stand in monitoring the stipulations of the programmatic agreement. We see the agreement as the first step toward protecting the "world’s longest art gallery" and one of the finest collections of ancient Indian rock art in the world, not to mention other types of archaeological and historic sites. It will be a continuing effort among all the pact's signers – BLM, BBC, conservation groups, historic preservationists, the state and eastern Utah counties -- to ensure this priceless treasure is protected. It is our obligation and role to stay involved and keep the signers informed of any changes that we observe in the status of the canyon during industrial development. We are not looking for failure; on the contrary, we are earnestly hoping and looking for success in the efforts to mitigate the potential dangers. Only with feedback, whether positive or negative, can the responsible agencies effectively manage the project, the land, and the resources. The agreement requires BBC to pay for three types of studies to pinpoint and record all the sites that are at risk. The dust must be controlled and suppressed. If it is not, BBC could lose its permits to drill. Very important to all of us Nine Mile Canyon volunteers, the BLM will work with the Coalition, archaeologists, the College of Eastern Utah's Prehistoric Museum and the state on a long-range site stewardship plan to monitor particular cultural sites in the area of impact. The Coalition feels it is our role to be diligent in Nine Mile Canyon’s preservation -- for our children and grandchildren, and for all of the citizens of the United States. This is a national treasure and our national heritage. You will find the programmatic agreement in its entirety at: http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/price/energy/Oil_Gas/Programmatic_Agreement.html 
Photo courtesy of Paul Carroll
Governor Gary Herbert and John Fowler (Executive Director of The Advisory Council On Historic Preservation) look on as Dr. Pam Miller signs the Programmatic Agreement on behalf of the Nine Mile Canyon Coalition
[contents]
Hello Pam! My Name is Uinta Cappo. I am ten years old. I am glad to write about Nine Mile Canyon. My Grandpa (who passed away in December 2007) is Bud Houskeeper. When he was little he spent much time in Nine Mile Canyon. Native American history is very important to me. My favorite tribes are Navajo, Fremont, and Anasazi. When my family and I went to Nine Mile, we camped at the Nine Mile Ranch. There were horses, sheep and neat little cabins. It was the perfect place to be. Each and every petroglyph tells an amazing story of the Native American tribes. All of them are very special. Like on Brother Bear, "Where the lights touch the earth." It's hard for me to say what is my favorite thing about Nine Mile. The magic in the canyon made me feel the spirits of the Indians. Nutter and Wimmer Ranches were neat also. I love the old school. My grandpa used to tell very neat stories of his family living in Nine Mile. Where I was taught to only leave footprints, but take pictures. Nine Mile Canyon is a very special place to me. I really hope when I am older and have kids of my own, they will be able to see this special, magical place. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. I will always be a part of making a difference, for special places such as Nine Mile Canyon. Uinta Cappo P.S. Thank those and yourself who have worked so hard for something so special to me. [contents]
Site Stewardship Program On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the BLM Price Field Office hosted a public meeting in Price, Utah to discuss the development of a site stewardship program relating to the West Tavaputs Plateau, including Nine Mile Canyon. The development of a site stewardship program in this area was one of the provisions in the recently signed West Tavaputs Plateau Natural Gas Full Field Development Programmatic Agreement ("PA"). Generally speaking, site stewardship programs provide opportunities for volunteers who have received appropriate training to work with professional archaeologists to help protect cultural resources by visiting sites on a periodic basis to record natural and man-made impacts. Some programs also include the documentation of sites. For the March 3, 2010 meeting in Price, the BLM Price Field Office made copies of site stewardship programs from a number of areas available for review by attendees. Jerry Kenczka, BLM Price Field Office, Acting Field Manager, welcomed the attendees to the meeting, and Charmaine Thompson, Archaeologist, Manti La-Sal National Forest acted as the facilitator for the meeting. Blaine Miller, Archaeologist, BLM Price Field Office, presented an overview of the archaeology of Nine Mile Canyon and the West Tavaputs Plateau, followed by an introduction to site stewardship programs by Leigh Grench, Archaeologist, BLM Moab Field Office. Ms. Grench is involved with the site stewardship program in Moab and explained how that program works. Tyler Ashcroft, Planning and Environmental Coordinator, BLM Price Field Office, led a brainstorming session regarding a mission statement and goals for a West Tavaputs Plateau site stewardship program. This was followed by a discussion of next steps in developing a site stewardship program led by Byron Loosle, Deputy Preservation Officer, BLM Utah State office. Several volunteer committees were formed to work on different topics. Jerry Kenczka noted the interest of the attendees and scheduled the next meeting to discuss the site stewardship program on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 from 6-8 pm, before closing the meeting. There is a good start to the development of a site stewardship program, but it will require the efforts of many to develop it and then make the program a success. If you are interested in participating, please contact Tyler Ashcroft, Price Field Office BLM (435-636-3600). [contents]
The Nine Mile Canyon Coalition enjoys hearing from our supporters and other canyon enthusiasts. Regarding a recent trip to Nine Mile Canyon with his wife JoAnn, longtime member of the Coalition and current president of the Federal Bar Association, Lawrence Baca, made the following observations- "While Nine Mile was beautiful as always I was saddened by the amount of dust on panels. We ran into a couple from Germany at the Great Hunt Panel and they wanted to find the panel just up the road. I boldly said, ‘no problem I can take you right to it.’ It was so covered with dust that I drove past it twice before I spotted it."The Coalition thanks Lawrence and JoAnn, for sharing their Nine Mile experiences with us. [contents]
Canyon Enchantment She celebrates life with radiant red earth, Unpretentious cliffs break through, rise to meet the azure sky, rebelling, Mysteries lie in her side canyons, twisting, hiding and disclosing. Brown slates beckoned ancient artists who The land shaped the people, and by Norma Dalton 
[contents]
[contents]
|
