A partial list of the cultural and historic sites which will be negatively visually impacted if the proposed Bluff cell tower is constructed:
Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway
http://www.utah.com/byways/bicentennial.htm
http://www.blm.gov/utah/monticello/trailofancients.htm
State of Utah Monument Valley to Bluff Scenic Byway
http://www.utah.com/byways/monument_valley.htm
The Curtis Jones Farm
http://ag.utah.gov/pressrel/bluff2.html
http://www.utahconservationforum.com/projects/CurtisJonesFarm.pdf
The Navajo Twins
http://www.utah.com/culture/bluff.htm
Bluff Historic District... a National Historic District
http://bluffutah.org/tour/index.html
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/home.htm
The Adams House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/adams.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/fjah.htm
The Decker House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/decker.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/james.htm
The Jens Nielson House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/jnielson.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/jenielsn.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/mill.htm
The Lemuel Redd House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/redd.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/lhrjr.htm
The Scorup House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/scorup.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/jascorup.htm
The Bluff Fort... Old Fort Cabins... a National Historic Site
http://www.hirf.org/bluff.asp
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/bluffort.htm
St. Christopher's Mission ...a National Historic Site
http://episcopal-navajo.org/St_Chris.htm
Hole-In-The-Rock-Trail... a National Historic Site
http://www.hirf.org/trail.asp
The Bluff Great House
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/1997-05/UoCa-APGH-290597.php
The Historic Bluff Cemetery
http://history.utah.gov/apps/burials/execute/viewcemetery?id=SJ0405
Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway
http://www.utah.com/byways/bicentennial.htm
http://www.blm.gov/utah/monticello/trailofancients.htm
State of Utah Monument Valley to Bluff Scenic Byway
http://www.utah.com/byways/monument_valley.htm
The Curtis Jones Farm
http://ag.utah.gov/pressrel/bluff2.html
http://www.utahconservationforum.com/projects/CurtisJonesFarm.pdf
The Navajo Twins
http://www.utah.com/culture/bluff.htm
Bluff Historic District... a National Historic District
http://bluffutah.org/tour/index.html
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/home.htm
The Adams House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/adams.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/fjah.htm
The Decker House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/decker.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/james.htm
The Jens Nielson House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/jnielson.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/jenielsn.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/mill.htm
The Lemuel Redd House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/redd.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/lhrjr.htm
The Scorup House... a National Historic Site
http://bluffutah.org/tour/scorup.htm
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/jascorup.htm
The Bluff Fort... Old Fort Cabins... a National Historic Site
http://www.hirf.org/bluff.asp
http://www.sanjuan.k12.ut.us/sjsample/bluff/bluffort.htm
St. Christopher's Mission ...a National Historic Site
http://episcopal-navajo.org/St_Chris.htm
Hole-In-The-Rock-Trail... a National Historic Site
http://www.hirf.org/trail.asp
The Bluff Great House
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/1997-05/UoCa-APGH-290597.php
The Historic Bluff Cemetery
http://history.utah.gov/apps/burials/execute/viewcemetery?id=SJ0405
From the "Report To The 2002 Legislature" from the Utah Quality Growth Commission...
The Commission members have taken our legislative
charge very seriously and have set a very high standard for any
action we take: two-thirds of the members must vote to approve any
action, including the legislative policy recommendations submitted
herewith.
The Curtis Jones Farm is a significant
landmark of the historic rural landscape surrounding the village of
Bluff. Nestled within a bedrock canyon of the San Juan River, the
Curtis Jones Farm stands out as stunning green fields between dry
sandstone bluffs on the eastern edge of the historic town site. The
land is one of the region’s last pioneer farms and continues as a
living and dynamic component of Bluff’s history.
charge very seriously and have set a very high standard for any
action we take: two-thirds of the members must vote to approve any
action, including the legislative policy recommendations submitted
herewith.
The Curtis Jones Farm is a significant
landmark of the historic rural landscape surrounding the village of
Bluff. Nestled within a bedrock canyon of the San Juan River, the
Curtis Jones Farm stands out as stunning green fields between dry
sandstone bluffs on the eastern edge of the historic town site. The
land is one of the region’s last pioneer farms and continues as a
living and dynamic component of Bluff’s history.
Historical significance: The Curtis Jones Farm, provides both
residents and visitors with a unique sense of place: a century-old,
living village that retains it agrarian roots. The Jones Farm
exemplifies a land-human relationship in this river valley that dates
back to the 19th Century Mormon settlement and beyond.
Viewshed/Scenic Quality: Preservation of the natural and cultural
characteristics of the farm, the river corridor and wetlands will
sustain the natural open space qualities that are critical to the Bluff
community’s sense of place.
residents and visitors with a unique sense of place: a century-old,
living village that retains it agrarian roots. The Jones Farm
exemplifies a land-human relationship in this river valley that dates
back to the 19th Century Mormon settlement and beyond.
Viewshed/Scenic Quality: Preservation of the natural and cultural
characteristics of the farm, the river corridor and wetlands will
sustain the natural open space qualities that are critical to the Bluff
community’s sense of place.
From the Salt Lake Tribune, March, 2001...
"...the Bluff City Historic Preservation
Association bought a conservation easement to one of the most scenic
stretches of rural land in southeastern Utah, the 145-acre Curtis Jones
farm, saving it forever from developers. With the easement permanently
attached to the title of the farm... At
the conservation easement dedication ceremony, with Lieutenant Governor
Olene Walker and Commissioner of Agriculture Cary Peterson in
attendance, state agriculture official Larry Lewis called it "the
perfect example of how well a conservation easement can work."
From the State of Utah Department of Agriculture and Food...
"A community landmark in Bluff, Utah will remain intact thanks to a four-year long effort by a local historic group and various private and public conservation organizations. The 145-acre Curtis Jones Farm is now protected from development by a conservation easement. The farm is also the last of the once-extensive fields that surrounded the historic Mormon pioneer village of Bluff, which was founded by the "Hole-in-the-rock" pioneers of 1880. Its agricultural, open space, and scenic values are vital to the community's sense of place and unique rural character."
"A community landmark in Bluff, Utah will remain intact thanks to a four-year long effort by a local historic group and various private and public conservation organizations. The 145-acre Curtis Jones Farm is now protected from development by a conservation easement. The farm is also the last of the once-extensive fields that surrounded the historic Mormon pioneer village of Bluff, which was founded by the "Hole-in-the-rock" pioneers of 1880. Its agricultural, open space, and scenic values are vital to the community's sense of place and unique rural character."
From the Corridor Management Plan of the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway...
"This corridor management plan was prepared to...maintain and improve the preservation of this internationally significant cultural and scenic area..."
"Twenty-five years ago the route was established in Utah as a way to provide a unique visiting experience while helping to preserve fragile archaeological sites."
"Our history is not completed; the choices we make today will become part of our special area."
"Proposed Actions... Bluff Historic Town: Develop only in accordance with local planning."
"This corridor management plan was prepared to...maintain and improve the preservation of this internationally significant cultural and scenic area..."
"Twenty-five years ago the route was established in Utah as a way to provide a unique visiting experience while helping to preserve fragile archaeological sites."
"Our history is not completed; the choices we make today will become part of our special area."
"Proposed Actions... Bluff Historic Town: Develop only in accordance with local planning."
From BluffUtah.org...
"Bluff is bordered on the south by the San Juan River and the Navajo Nation, verdant farmland to the east and vast panoramic landscapes to the west. To the north, 300-foot sandstone bluffs, which were the inspiration for the town's name, are a dominant visual element serving as a dramatic backdrop for the community."
"Bluff is bordered on the south by the San Juan River and the Navajo Nation, verdant farmland to the east and vast panoramic landscapes to the west. To the north, 300-foot sandstone bluffs, which were the inspiration for the town's name, are a dominant visual element serving as a dramatic backdrop for the community."
"The Bluff Historic District encompasses most of the original 1880 townsite of Bluff City, cemetery hill, and the 300-foot sandstone bluffs directly north of town which include natural features that have cultural significance. There are 42 buildings in the district spread over a dozen or so blocks. The contributing buildings range from 1880 to the mid- 1940s, the majority having been built between about 1890 and 1905."
"Although just under half of the buildings are contributing, the integrity of the district is bolstered by the prominent locations and dominant scale of many of the historic buildings, the presence of a variety of historic landscape elements, and the community's distinct setting. Overall, the Bluff Historic District retains its historic character."
From utah.com...
Nestled between dramatic 300-foot sandstone cliffs and the San Juan River,
lies the small community of Bluff, Utah. Its tall shade trees and
several sturdy sandstone homes are an oasis in a stark desert setting.
The historic district encompasses most of the original 1880 town site,
cemetery hill, and the bluffs north of town.
The cemetery is located on a prominent hill directly north of town at the base of the cliffs. Most of the graves are outlined with cobblestones; there is no landscaping. The winding drive, grave markers of significant artistic and cultural merit, and the panoramic view make this a fascinating place to visit.
Three distinct natural features clearly evident to the visitor are Locomotive Rock and Twin Rocks on either site of the bluffs. Locomotive Rock is named as such because of its similarity to a locomotive. Twin Rocks symbolize the Navajo Twins of the Navajo creation tradition.
In closing....
There is an obvious common thread here. The visual aspects of our many historic sites, our many cultural sites and our panoramic views are important, even critical, to residents, visitors, local and regional preservation and historic organizations and several departments within the State of Utah.
Examples from above include:
"...historic rural landscape surrounding the village of Bluff..."
"...natural open space qualities that are critical to the Bluff community’s sense of place..."
"...one of the most scenic stretches of rural land in southeastern Utah..."
"...Its agricultural, open space, and scenic values are vital to the community's sense of place and unique rural character..."
"...To the north, 300-foot sandstone bluffs, which were the inspiration for the town's name, are a dominant visual element serving as a dramatic backdrop for the community..."
"...300-foot sandstone bluffs directly north of town which include natural features that have cultural significance..."
"...Twin Rocks symbolize the Navajo Twins of the Navajo creation tradition..."
"...The cemetery is located on a prominent hill directly north of town at the base of the cliffs... grave markers of significant artistic and cultural merit, and the panoramic view make this a fascinating place to visit..."
Bluff is unique... a crossroads of cultures... a goldmine of recognized historic and cultural resources which are irreplaceable.
The tower, if constructed, would create a negative aesthetic effect. The scenic view from all of the cultural and historic properties would be irrevocably altered by the introduction of a visual element that is incompatible with the existing natural landscape. A tower one hundred and fifty feet tall on top of the bluffs is out of scale with, and in great contrast to, the aesthetics of the surrounding area. The integrity of the sites' setting and feeling, and the town as a whole, will be diminished by the proposed tower, yielding a very great adverse effect to residents and visitors alike.