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NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2026-0009-EA
Project Name: Indian Creek Paleontological Excavation Continuation

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2026-0009-EA
Project Name

Indian Creek Paleontological Excavation Continuation
Project Type

EA
NEPA Status

In Progress - Decision and Appeal Period
Lead Office

Monticello Field Office
Last Updated

3/22/2026 5:00:00 PM

Project Description

Dr. Randy Irmis of the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) requested renewal of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) paleontological resource excavation permit UT10-005E to excavate and remove fossils from an existing locality in Indian Creek (UGS Locality Number Sa0296) within the Cutler Group, Cedar Mesa Sandstone. This locality is located on BLM-managed lands within the Monticello Field Office (MTFO) and the Indian Creek, Hart’s Draw area within Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) in San Juan County, Utah. 

The proposed project would include the removal of overlaying soil and rock with small hand tools and occasional gas-powered rock saws. Under the supervision of Dr. Irmis, the work would be completed annually by 5 to 20 paleontologists, students, and volunteers over the course of a couple of weeks annually. Vehicular travel would be limited to existing designated routes. The field camp would be located at the Indian Creek or Creek Pasture BLM group site. All fossils discovered would be documented, collected, and accessioned into the NHMU in Salt Lake City, Utah. Approval of this project would permit paleontological excavations and camping to occur in the project area for the next 10 years by Irmis under permit UT10-005E and any other authorized permittee. 

This locality has been known since the 1980’s and paleontological resource excavations by paleontologists of the NHMU have occurred in Indian Creek since 2010. Annually, Dr. Irmis has been excavating Permian vertebrate and plant material as permitted under UT10-005E. They have uncovered and collected over one-hundred bones and established this as the best Permian vertebrate locality in Utah. This material is reposited at the NHMU in Salt Lake City, Utah as defined by their permit.  

This locality has been permitted for excavation by the BLM since 1997 and has experienced multiple events of vandalism. A CX was completed for the locality in 2010 (DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2010-0029 – Indian Creek Paleontological Excavation), and an EA was completed for the locality in 2013 (DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2013-0015 – Indian Creek Paleontological Excavation).  

This locality has been permitted for excavation by the BLM since 1997 and has experienced multiple events of vandalism. A CX was completed for the locality in 2010 (DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2010-0029 – Indian Creek Paleontological Excavation), and an EA was completed for the locality in 2013 (DOI-BLM-UT-Y020-2013-0015 – Indian Creek Paleontological Excavation).

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Monticello	Utah	84535	San Juan

Application Information

Applicant

Utah Museum of Natural History
Program

Paleontology

Project Dates

Start Date

2/25/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Monticello Field Office
Offices

Monticello FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Emily Lessner
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(435) 259-2117

Contact 2 Name

Jill Stephenson
Contact 2 Email

[email protected]
Contact 2 Phone

(435) 259-2141