New Allegations in AZ State Parks Archaeology Scandal

New Allegations in AZ State Parks Archaeology Scandal
An Arizona State Parks & Trails deputy director obtained nearly $80,000 for the department after signing a federal grant application as the agency’s archaeologist even though he had no training in that field, documents obtained by The Arizona Republic show. Jim Keegan, who is on paid leave amid an ongoing criminal investigation into whether the agency ignored laws protecting archaeological and historical sites, signed the “Cultural Clearance Review” form over the objections of then-staff archaeologist Paula Pflepsen, she told The Republic on Friday. http://bit.ly/2PsVsEU – Arizona Republic

New Documentary on Bears Ears
At its heart, it’s a battle for homeland and sovereignty. Bears Ears, a remote section of land lined with red cliffs and filled with juniper, sage, is at the center of a fight over who has a say in how Western landscapes are protected and managed. http://bit.ly/2QGeNiB – KUED (PBS)

Utah Legislator Calls for State Management Plan for Bears Ears
Fed up with what he says is a false narrative about the so-called extraction destiny for Bears Ears National Monument, a Utah lawmaker wants the state to craft its own management plan for the lands in southeastern Utah. “I am a conservative conservationist,” said Rep. Keven Stratton, co-chairman of the Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands, adding it is “completely irresponsible” for people to assert that Utah leaders want mining and drilling in the monument. http://bit.ly/2QExmU9 – Deseret News

Southwestern State Representatives Urge Public Support for Region’s National Monuments
As state representatives of the Southwest, we are concerned about the future of our national monuments. Right now, both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments are under attack, and the public has just a short window to weigh in. Both of these monuments are in Utah, but they are vital to us all, as they safeguard our nation’s diverse history and cultural heritage. Our voices are part of the two-thirds of western voters, and 86 percent of Latino voters in the west, who say that reducing these monuments is a bad idea. We are proud to have public lands in our backyard — lands that belong to all of us. http://bit.ly/2QGa5kG – The Hill

Call to Writers on Behalf of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area
We need your voice. Because we know you care, we are asking you to contribute an engaging poem or essay of your choosing for this mission-critical endeavor. We need your piece by Thanksgiving 2018, the thirtieth anniversary of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area—first conservation area of its kind in our country. We cannot afford to lose this precious national jewel. Eloquently sharing your memories and sentiments will contribute to the fight to save our last free flowing river. The San Pedro River is under assault. Here is the political situation we are up against: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a new Draft Resource Management Plan for the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA). Their preferred alternative is opening up the area to cattle grazing. Public law is not being upheld and the public comment period has passed. Our intention is to rally our most talented writers to action and underscore our commitment to protecting the San Pedro River. By creating a small book of your collective voices to share with state and federal policymakers we can be more effective making our case. (520) 925-8107; Raptorhandler@gmail.com – Kate Scott, Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center, and Nicole Gillett, Tucson Audubon Society

Spotlight on Tucson’s Julian Wash Site
The Julian Wash Cultural History Walk leads to sites where people known today as the Hohokam built a village, farmed and played a ballgame on specially built courts in the 1100s — about 900 years ago. Information panels along the walk, which begins at 2820 S. 12th Ave., tell of an unexcavated portion of an archaeological site as well as more recent uses of the land. Displays include a ramada with depictions of ancient symbols and a re-creation of a prehistoric ballcourt along the connecting Julian Wash Greenway. http://bit.ly/2QF51Nz – Arizona Daily Star

REMINDER: TONIGHT, Lecture Opportunity, Queen Creek AZ
Join Karen Schollmeyer for Archaeology of Hunting in Southwest New Mexico, a presentation for the Arizona Archaeological Society San Tan Chapter, 20425 S. Old Ellsworth Rd., Queen Creek, AZ. November 14, 7:00 p.m.

Lecture Opportunity, Santa Fe NM
Southwest Seminars Presents David S. Gutzler, Professor of Earth and Planetary Science, University of New Mexico, and Co-Author, Climate Variability and Projected Change in the Western United States: Regional Downscaling and Drought Statistics and Interannual Variability of Wildfires and Summer Precipitation in the Southwest, who will give a lecture Climate Science and the Future of the Rio Grande at 6:00 p.m. on November 19 at Hotel Santa Fe as part of the Mother Earth Father Sky Lecture Series held to honor The New Mexico Environmental Law Center. Admission is by subscription or $15 at the door. No reservations are necessary. Refreshments are served. Seating is limited. Contact Connie Eichstaedt at tel: 505 466-275; email: southwest seminar@aol.com; website: southwestseminars.org

Editors’ note: As we went to press, we learned of the passing of Stewart Peckham, a giant of New Mexico archaeology, on November 10. He was 91 years old. More information as we learn it.

Please submit news, book announcements, and events at this link for consideration: https://www.archaeologysouthwest.org/submit-to-sat/

Questions? sat-editor@archaeologysouthwest.org