SVP & PALEO NEWS

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service released a document describing its proposed resource management plans for the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, and SVP responded. For SVP’s submitted comment letter, click HERE.

On February 21, 2024, SVP commented on the possible destruction of paleontological resources on U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Community Pit #1” near Las Cruces, New Mexico. On March 26, 2024, SVP received a response letter from BLM, and on April 17, 2024, SVP sent another letter to BLM seeking further clarification. For SVP’s latest inquiry letter, click HERE.

SVP commented on the possible destruction of paleontological resources on U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Community Pit #1” near Las Cruces, New Mexico, through its remediation efforts to make the site safe.  Specifically, SVP requested BLM to provide a status update on the project and how BLM is protecting the scientifically important fossils while making the area safe for the public. For SVP’s submitted inquiry letter, click HERE.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Rock Springs Field Office in Wyoming released a document describing its proposed resource management plans for the public land in southwestern Wyoming, and SVP responded. For SVP’s submitted comment letter, click HERE.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a document describing its proposed resource management plans for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and SVP responded. For SVP’s submitted comment letter, click HERE.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a document for public comment titled “Utah State Office Evaluation of March and December 2018 Oil and Gas Lease Sales Environmental Assessment”, and SVP responded. For SVP’s submitted comment letter, click HERE.

The recent election for the two Member-at-Large positions on the Executive Committee (the governing body of the Society) has concluded. We received 529 votes (approximately 35% of the membership) and we can announce that Paul Koch (University of California, Santa Cruz) has been elected as Member-at-Large; and Lindsay Zanno (North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences/North Carolina State University) has been elected as Member-at-Large (ethics). Congratulations to both and we look forward to working with you on the Executive Committee!

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a set of proposed ‘Conservation and Landscape Health’ rules for public comment (RIN 1004-AE92): https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023-0001-0001. Because some fundamental components of the proposed rules appear to be inconsistent with the U.S. Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009 as well as BLM’s traditional philosophy as written, SVP requested BLM for clarification, along with some requests if the rules were to be implemented. For SVP’s submitted comment letter, click HERE.

SVP urges select 146 U.S. House Representatives and Senators to appropriate earmarked funds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service) and Department of the Interior to enact the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009. For more information, click HERE.

SVP is pleased that the proposed Utah H.B. 396, which SVP initially opposed on February 22, 2023, has developed into adequate legislation while also taking into account input from SVP membership. For a full version of the new SVP statement, click HERE.