U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar greets crowd at dedication ceremony for Red Cliffs and Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Areas, Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins, Utah, May 7, 2012 | Photo by Dallas Hyland, St. George News
IVINS – U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey presided over the dedication ceremony for two national conservation areas yesterday at the Tuacahn School for Performing Arts Amphitheater in Ivins, Utah.
The NCA’s dedicated are Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and Beaver Dam Wash.
Members of the public as well as state, local, and tribal officials were present to witness and take part in the ceremony which, in addition to the dedication, described the economic and outdoor recreation community benefits these areas afforded in Southern Utah.
The dedications were a long-time coming as the NCA’s were designated in a lands bill, sponsored by Sen. Bob Bennett and passed by Congress in 2009.
Salazar was seemingly jovial throughout the event despite being forewarned of a less than hearty welcome in Utah.
“I was told I might not get the warmest welcome in Utah,” Salazar said.
The reason for a possible perception of animosity towards the secretary might have something to do with his recent upholding of the mining moratorium on the Arizona Strip, a controversial subject of late for Utah residents and legislators.
Salazar, however, went on to describe Utah as one of the most stunning and beautiful places in the country.
Among distinguished guests were the retired senator, Bennett, Utah BLM Director Juan Palma, and Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner.
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Copyright 2012 St. George News.
Dallas Hyland is a freelance writer, award-winning photographer, and documentary filmmaker with three films currently under his belt including "The Approach," featured in the 2012 DOCUTAH International Film Festival, and the 2014 Raven Award-winning film "Still Going Strong."
Hyland is currently working on more films as well as commercial branding projects. He is a sponsored photographer and product tester for companies such as Clik Elite and its adventure photography line of camera bags.
A founding writer at St. George News and the opinion editor at The Southern Utah Independent, Hyland's investigative journalism and opinion columns have ranged in topics from local political and environmental to the international front covering issues such as human trafficking in Colombia.
At once action-oriented and of deep philosophical inclinations, Hyland's work drives at reporting in a manner that incites a dialogue aimed at getting to the truth.
Based in Southern Utah, Hyland works from his studio in Kayenta’s Art Village, as well as from wherever his work takes him. On his rare off-days he can be found with his family and friends exploring the pristine outdoors. Hyland cherishes what he calls “the modest life, lived well.”
Follow his work at about.me/dallashyland and www.dallashyland.com. Listen to him live as a regular guest co-host on the Perspectives talk show on Fox News 1450 AM 93.1 FM in Southern Utah.