President Donald Trump signed proclamations on Monday, July 13, reducing the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah [1, 2].
The move removes protections from millions of acres of public land, sparking a conflict between federal economic goals and tribal conservation efforts.
The administration cited the need to balance conservation with economic development, stating the monuments were too large and limited access to critical minerals [1, 3, 5]. A White House spokesperson said, "These monuments are far too large and are preventing the responsible development of critical mineral resources" [2].
Under the new proclamations, both monuments were reduced by about 90% each [2]. The Bears Ears monument was reduced to approximately 140,000 acres from its previous size of 1.35 million acres [1]. Similarly, the Grand Staircase-Escalante monument was cut to approximately 200,000 acres from 1.87 million acres [1].
President Trump said the administration would continue to protect cultural heritage while ensuring lands support American jobs and energy independence [1].
The decision drew sharp criticism from Indigenous leaders. Mark Maryboy, President of the Navajo Nation, said, "This is an affront to our ancestors and a violation of the promises made to our tribes" [3].
The reductions were executed under the Antiquities Act, a tool that allows presidents to designate and modify national monuments to protect historic or scientific interests [3].
“"These monuments are far too large and are preventing the responsible development of critical mineral resources."”
This action represents a significant shift in federal land management, prioritizing the extraction of critical minerals over expansive conservation. By utilizing the Antiquities Act to shrink these boundaries, the administration is facilitating industrial access to regions previously restricted for cultural and environmental reasons, likely leading to prolonged legal challenges from tribal nations and environmental groups.
