BLM Utah Monticello Field Office Ethnographic Information Partnership

Background: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Monticello Field Office, located in Monticello, Utah, manages land and resources that are important culturally and historically. Numerous Native American Tribes claim affiliation with these lands. Information obtained through this partnership will provide a better understanding of the ethnographic resources of the lands it manages and the importance of those lands and resources to the various tribes and tribal groups. An ethnographic resource is defined here as any natural or cultural resource, landscape, or natural feature linked by a subject ethnic community to the traditional practices, values, beliefs, history and/or ethnic identity of that community. Information resulting from this effort will form the basis for an ethnographic database that will be used by public land managers to 1) design culturally sensitive interpretation programs and materials; 2) to sensitively respond to requests by tribal members for the use of BLM places or resources; and 3) for public land planning activities that fully consider impacts to these resources that may result from proposed BLM actions. Objectives: The overall objective of this project is to form a partnership for the preparation of an ethnographic resource report for lands administered by the BLM-Monticello Field Office (MFO). This documentation and evaluation of ethnographic resources will be used to support public education and interpretation to increase understanding of Native American tribesâ¿¿ traditional connection with BLM-managed lands in southeast Utah, including the Greater Cedar Mesa area. The products of this project will be available to the public (save any sensitive cultural information or other information determined necessary to be kept confidential). The products of this project will be used as input into BLM management plans and environmental assessment work, interpretation planning (if deemed appropriate by the associated communities), as well as in other BLM resource related management decisions. The BLM also wishes to use the data collected during this research to establish long term working relationships with all American Indian communities that have ties to these areas. Consequently, the cooperator is expected to establish communication protocols and implement privacy agreements with those communities as appropriate so they can provide relevant information on their association with this area. Public Benefit: The activities to be undertaken through this agreement are in furtherance of the BLM and the recipientâ¿¿s mission to meet common cultural resource protection goals and objectives. These benefits and those to the interested public are detailed below. 1. Improve effectiveness of Native American Consultation; 2. Enhance consideration of Native Americanâ¿¿s interests for project planning; 3. Use information gained from this project to help with make land management decisions; 4. Increase the publicâ¿¿s knowledge of cultural resources through research, outreach, and meaningful engagement with Native American Tribes and Tribal groups.