Plans for a 35-mile highway through the Book Cliffs are suspended, after the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition voted to stop their work on an environmental study. Grand County officials have long opposed proposals for the road, raising concerns about the price tag, energy development, and potential harm to the environment. In recent months, both Grand County and a private landowner said they would not relinquish right of ways to build the road. And later, New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland is poised to become our nation’s first Indigenous cabinet secretary. For many, her nomination signals a potential shift in the relationship between tribes and the federal government.

Show Notes:

Photo: Book Cliffs/BLM Utah

Seven County Infrastructure Coalition 12/18 Meeting Agenda

https://scic-utah.org/storage/app/uploads/public/5fd/976/d8f/5fd976d8f1125719857468.pdf

Seven County Infrastructure Coalition Conceptual Corridor Feasibility Study

https://moabcanyoncountryrisingtide.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/eastern-utah-regional-connection.pdf

Mountain West News Bureau: ‘It’s Overdue’ – Indian Country Applauds Nomination of Haaland to Lead Interior

https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/its-overdue-indian-country-applauds-nomination-haaland-lead-interior