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Summary
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 is seen as a victory for Utah officials who have long fought against the monument designations, arguing that the state should be in charge of controlling its own lands. The decision has been met with criticism from Democrats and Native American tribes who consider the land sacred. The monuments were established by Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to protect ancient cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and scenic canyons.
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The numbers tell one story. Trump’s reduction of the national monuments’ size is the latest move in his administration’s push to expand drilling, mining, and logging on public lands. The decision has been met with criticism from Democrats and Native American tribes, who argue that the land is sacred and should be protected. Utah officials, on the other hand, see the move as a victory, arguing that the state should be in charge of controlling its own lands. The reduction of the monuments’ size has also been criticized by conservation groups, who argue that it will hinder the protection of the surrounding landscape.
Trump’s move is part of a larger trend of his administration’s policies, which prioritize commercial interests over environmental and cultural concerns. The decision has also been seen as a way for Trump to leave his mark on the country’s public lands, which are concentrated in Western states. The move has been met with backlash from Democrats, who warn of the wholesale disposal of treasured landscapes for commercial gain.
Author: Evan Null
