The Monolith Hypocrisy & Legal Exemption
by Monte Wells
During the last week of November mainstream media and the internet was flooded with pictures, and short videos of the mysterious Monolith that was found about .2 tenths of a mile off of Lockhart Basin road in San Juan County Utah. According to Google Earth imagery the monolith has been there since at least 2016. With news of the Monolith spreading like wildfire people wanted to see this mysterious Monolith firsthand. In less than a day the area was visited by people on foot and by helicopter.
The increased visitation to the area prompted a statement from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)according to a Fox13 Utah report.
“The site is in a remote area without services for the large number of people who now want to see it,” said Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Manager Amber Denton Johnson in a news release on Sunday. “Whenever you visit public lands please follow Leave No Trace principles and Federal and local laws and guidance.” Fox13 News
In the same report the BLM reported finding alleged damage at the site that was allegedly done by the visitors that had visited the monolith.
“BLM staff reporting vehicles parking on vegetation in the area and visitors leaving behind trash and human waste. The Monolith is the latest example of increased visitation in an area leading to some increased footprint left behind by humans.”
The so-called vegetation was on the side of the county road that is graded several times a year. Despite this the BLM continuing to mislead the public with their talking points. The BLM spokeswoman Kimberly Finch made the following statement according to KSL,
Finch “asked people to refrain from visiting the monolith due to the lack of amenities like parking and bathrooms, people ignored the pleas and damaged the red rock country as a result.” Reported KSL.com.
Then just days after the monolith was discovered it vanished. At first no one knew what had happened to the monolith and even the BLM didn’t know according to one source. Then some self-proclaimed saviors of the desert posted a video of him and his friend destroying the monolith. They claimed they were protecting public lands.
Utah resident Sylvan Christensen posted a video on TikTok and Instagram claiming he and his friends hauled the metal structure away Friday. On his Instagram page, he added: “Don’t abandon your personal property on public land if you don’t want it to be taken out.”
Christensen said people coming to see the monolith were damaging the land and defecating in the desert since there are no restrooms. reported by KSL
As most people know there are Federal laws in place that the government uses to manage the public lands. There have been many examples of people getting in trouble with the Federal land agencies for violating these laws by defacing public lands, trespassing, etc.
It appears the Monolith builder violated some of these laws. It appears that there is no permit on file with the BLM to put the monolith up. Plus, it looks like he caused some damage to the federal land by defacing and vandalizing the slick rock. Since the law was violated one would assume the BLM probably started an investigation into who the monolith owner was.
KSL News reported the San Juan County Sheriff saying his agency and the federal government were following up leads to find the owner of the monolith.
“his agency and federal partners are following up on any and all leads — including social media postings — that may lead them to some answers regarding the case of the mysterious monolith and all its working parts.”
This means that when the self proclaimed saviors of the desert destroyed the monolith, which was evidence in a federal crime, him and his buddy violated federal law. By destroying the monolith, they at the very least interfered with a federal investigation. Since they destroyed the monolith (the evidence) they should be charged with tampering with evidence. It shouldn’t be hard to get a conviction since they film them doing it.
So why hasn’t Christensen and his merry man been charged with anything?
Maybe they aren’t being charged because they did what the BLM wanted to them or someone to do? It appears that for whatever the reason his lawlessness has been granted an exemption to federal law.
Christensen excuse for breaking the law is to blame it on all the law abiding public visitors for his actions it seems.
Christensen went on to describe the environmental degradation — a concern echoed by the Bureau of Land Management — brought on by the scores of people flocking to see the monolith.
“People arrived by car, by bus, by van, helicopter, planes, trains, motorcycles and E-bikes and there isn’t even a parking lot. There aren’t bathrooms — and yes, pooping in the desert is a misdemeanor. There was a lot of that. There are no marked trails, no trash cans, and it’s not a user group area. There are no designated campsites. Each and every user on public land is supposed to be aware of the importance and relevance of this information and the laws associated with them,” he said.
“Let’s be clear: The dismantling of the Utah Monolith is tragic — and if you think we’re proud — we’re not … The ethical failures of the artist for the 24” equilateral gouge in the sandstone from the erecting of the Utah Monolith, was not even close to the damage caused by the internet sensationalism and subsequent reaction from the world.” reported by KSL
Christensen’s reason sounded a lot like the BLM talking points so was he employed by the BLM or asked to destroy the monolith? Maybe he just took it upon himself to force everyone else to his will and hypocrisy.
The hypocrisy of the BLM, Christensen, and his supporters is becoming a common issue now days. Especially, when you compare the monolith destruction and talking points to what has happened to the area of the Bears Ears National Monument. Ever since the Bears Ears National Monument issue hit the world news the area has been heavily impacted by the public.
Where was all their heart felt concern for the proposed and designated areas of the Bears Ears National Monument when it was invaded by tourists? Where are all the services in these remote areas of the county? Tourists and climbers have left toilet paper, tire tracks, garbage, fire pits, and camp sites everywhere.
The Indian Creek climbing area that is part of the Bears Ears NM is invaded by hundreds of climbers in the spring and fall. This has led to many unapproved foot trails being created from every road side parking area to the cliffs, and around the base of the cliffs. Toilet paper liters areas like a desert flower, and there are people camping in every pull out and side road the climbers and tourists can find.
The impact in Indian Creek has been so crazy that over the years the BLM put in a paved parking lot and developed several pay campgrounds which destroyed the natural environment. The Monolith area covered less than a 1 square mile compared to the hundreds of thousands of acres that has been impacted by the Bears Ears NM.
One might be able to buy into the BLM’s concern and Christensen’s savior complex if they would have worked as hard to stop the Bears Ears area being damaged as well. Instead, once again we are blessed to witnessing the hypocrisy of do gooders, environmentalist, and government land agencies once again.
The two things the Monolith has demonstrated clearly is that Christensen will not be held accountable for violating the law, and hypocrisy is thriving in the BLM and with do gooders that are saving our public lands.
