President Donald Trump has reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, by about 90% each. The move has been met with criticism from Native American tribes and conservation groups.
Background
The two monuments, which are home to ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and scenic canyons, were established by Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Trump’s decision to reduce their size is seen as a victory for Utah officials, who have long argued that the federal government should not control the land.
Trump’s move is part of a larger effort by his administration to expand drilling, mining, and logging on public lands. The president has argued that the protective boundaries of the monuments stretch too far and hinder the development of critical minerals.
Reactions
Davina Smith-Idjesa, a citizen of the Navajo Nation and co-chair of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, criticized the decision, saying it was “heartbreaking” and that federal officials had sidestepped their legal responsibility to consult with tribal nations.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, on the other hand, praised the decision, saying it was a “big day for Utah” and that the monument designations were supposed to be the smallest area possible to protect the antiquities.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
