President Donald Trump signed two proclamations on July 13, reducing the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah by approximately 3 million acres combined. The move reverses protections expanded by President Joe Biden in 2021, which had restored boundaries Trump initially shrunk in 2017.
Core Facts and Immediate Action
Trump’s proclamations cut Bears Ears from 1.35 million acres to 160,000 acres and Grand Staircase-Escalante from 1.9 million acres to 350,000 acres. The reductions prioritize resource extraction, including uranium, coal, and minerals, while critics argue the lands hold cultural and ecological significance.
Deeper Dive and Context
Historical Context
Grand Staircase-Escalante was designated a national monument by President Bill Clinton in 1996, while Bears Ears was created by President Barack Obama in 2016 under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The law grants presidents authority to protect lands with historic, scientific, or cultural value.
Opposing Perspectives
Supporters of the reductions, including Utah’s congressional delegation, argue the original designations were overly broad and hindered local economic development. Utah Governor Spencer Cox stated the monuments should be the smallest area necessary to protect antiquities, not vast swaths of land. Meanwhile, Native American tribes and conservation groups condemn the move, citing the sites’ sacred status and ecological importance. Davina Smith-Idjesa of the Navajo Nation called the reduction "heartbreaking" and accused the administration of failing to consult tribal nations.
Policy Implications
The reductions align with broader Republican efforts to expand drilling, mining, and logging on public lands. Trump’s administration has previously rolled back protections for endangered species and conservation rules. Biden’s 2021 restoration of the monuments cited their spiritual, cultural, and prehistoric legacy.
Economic and Environmental Considerations
The affected regions contain significant mineral deposits, including chromium, cobalt, and uranium, which Trump’s order highlights as vital to national security. Conservationists warn that opening these areas to development could threaten paleontological sites and fragile ecosystems, including dinosaur fossils and scenic canyons.