2022
27
Sep
The Politics of Public Lands
Dear Friends,
Recently, I immersed myself in several books about the (rapidly dwindling) water supply of the Colorado River basin.
It’s a complex story involving the political process, massive economic investments, and the ease with which boosters and politicians were able to convince decisi...
more
2022
23
Feb
Nevada Rep. Titus Introduces Bill to Establish Avi Kwa Ame National Monument
Dear Friends,
At Archaeology Southwest, the “Great Resignation” is fueling the “Big Hiring.”
Since January 1 of this year, we have added six new hires. Three are replacements, one is a move to a new position, and two are brand-new hires.
As we come out of the seemingly interminable ...
more
2019
26
Dec
Congressional Spending Bill Includes Protection for Greater Chaco
Congressional Spending Bill Includes Protection for Greater Chaco
The U.S. Senate has approved a $1.4 trillion spending package for the 2020 fiscal year. The White House has said that the president will sign the legislation. Importantly, the legislation includes interim protections for the landscap...
more
2019
12
Nov
Chaco Protection Legislation Is Balanced
Commentary: Chaco Protection Legislation Is Balanced
New Mexico’s Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall are strong supporters of Luján’s act, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a reasonable compromise that offers great protection to the park and its cultural riches without turning the entire nor...
more
2017
15
Oct
U.S. House Proposal Would Unravel the Antiquities Act
The Ongoing Assault on the Antiquities Act
....when it comes to the ongoing assault on the Antiquities Act of 1906, Zinke's national monument review is merely an opening salvo. Tucked away at the very end of the leaked memo, after all, one finds this portentous sentence: "[It] is also recommended t...
more
2016
26
Jan
Engaging Posters
Karen Gust Schollmeyer, Preservation Archaeologist
(January 26, 2016)—Two weeks ago, many of us here in Tucson enjoyed attending the 15th Biennial Southwest Symposium. It’s primarily a research conference for professionals, somewhat like the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) meetings I wr...
more
2016
12
Jan
You're Invited: Making Archaeology Public
Sarah Herr, Senior Project Director, Desert Archaeology, Inc.
(January 12, 2016)—This Thursday night in Tucson, the 15th biennial Southwest Symposium opens. The Southwest Symposium has always been one of my favorite archaeological conferences, as archaeologists working in the Southwest United Sta...
more
2016
03
Jan
Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Rejects Public Lands Initiative
Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition Rejects Public Lands Initiative
On December 31st, the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition sent a formal letter (opens in PDF) to Utah Congressmen Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz, discontinuing discussions over including tribal objectives in the Congressmen’s Public La...
more
2015
29
Nov
Native American Tribes Ask for Better Protection of Ancient Places on BLM Lands
Native American Tribes Ask for Better Protection of Ancient Places on BLM Lands
A panel discussion Saturday at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center on the impacts of oil-and-gas to the land featured perspectives of prominent members of the Santa Ana and Acoma pueblos. Acoma Gov. Fred Vallo Sr. and...
more
2015
08
Feb
San Carlos Apache Lead Fight Against Mining at Oak Flat
San Carlos Apache Lead Fight Against Mining at Oak Flat
Dozens of people sang, danced and prayed outside of the San Carlos Apache tribe's office on Thursday morning before heading out on a 44-mile journey in an attempt to protect their ancestral lands at Oak Flat campground. The protesters organize...
more
2015
01
Feb
A Chance for Public Comment on the Fracking of the Chacoan Landscape
A Chance for Public Comment on the Fracking of the Chacoan Landscape
The 10-member Farmington District RAC advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the BLM, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in the BLM's Farmington District. Planned agenda it...
more
2014
21
Jan
From Durango to Durango and from Las Vegas to Las Vegas, Part 2
By Matt Peeples, Preservation Archaeologist
In my previous post on the 14th biennial Southwest Symposium, I shared what I learned about the Fremont area. A number of other papers at the conference focused on the Virgin River area, which is the subject of today’s post.
Sometimes conside...
more
Show More