President Donald Trump signed presidential proclamations on July 13, 2026, to drastically reduce the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments, a move that has ignited fierce opposition from conservation groups and deep division across Utah. The reduction, which impacts millions of acres of redrock country, is being met with legal threats from organizations seeking to preserve the landscapes for future generations.
Massive Reductions in Protected Acreage
The new boundaries, which are set to take effect on Sept. 11, will result in a massive contraction of protected lands. Grand Staircase-Escalante is expected to shrink by 90%, falling from its current 1.9 million acres to approximately 180,000 acres. Bears Ears National Monument will face an even steeper decline, losing 91% of its existing footprint. These reductions follow a period of restoration under the Biden administration, which had previously returned both monuments to their full, original boundaries via proclamations signed on Oct. 8, 2021.
Conservation Groups Vow Legal Battle
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) issued a statement on July 13, 2026, condemning the presidential actions as "reckless and unlawful." According to SUWA Executive Director Scott Braden, the reduction was taken at the urging of Utah politicians, specifically naming Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, as well as Governor Spencer Cox. Braden characterized the move as part of a broader effort by Republican leadership to dismantle the American system of public lands.
Historical Significance of the Monuments
SUWA has committed to challenging the decision in federal court, expressing confidence that the presidential acts will be rejected and the monuments restored. The organization noted that the Grand Staircase-Escalante was designated as a national monument in 1996 to protect 1.9 million acres of scientific, ecological, and paleontological resources. It was notably the first monument managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the first unit in the agency's National Conservation Lands program.
Cultural and Tribal Impact
The Bears Ears National Monument, established on Dec. 28, 2016, by President Obama, holds significant cultural weight, covering nearly 100,000 irreplaceable archaeological and cultural sites. The proposal for the monument was led by the Bears Ears Commission, which includes the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, the Pueblo of Zoni, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the Ute Indian Tribe. While the original proclamation elevated Tribal voices, current reports indicate the federal government did not include these Tribal nations in drafting the new, reduced boundaries.
Local Support for Reductions
Local sentiment in Utah remains sharply divided over the decision. Garfield County Commissioner Leland Pollock expressed approval of the reduction, stating, "I felt really good. Yes, it's a blessing for us." Pollock has advocated for shrinking the monument since 2009, citing a decades-long decline in the area. He argued that the current monument protections have made the former grassland unhealthy by allowing native pinyon pine and juniper to crowd out the grasses and plants that wildlife and cattle depend on.
Arguments Against Monument Status
Pollock further criticized the current designation, comparing the landscape to a movie set. He referenced the film "Planet of the Apes," suggesting that the monument has been turned into a "desolate wasteland" rather than a protected resource. He argued that much of the original 1.9 million acres was not worth protecting to begin with.
Logistical and Environmental Concerns
Conversely, Jackie Grant, executive director of Grand Staircase Escalante Partners, argued that the reduction overlooks the true value of the land, including rare plants, fragile biocrust, and ongoing fossil excavations. Grant noted that redrawing the boundaries creates immediate logistical costs, such as the need to replace dozens of road signs. She also emphasized that the work required to manage public lands and ensure visitor safety must be entirely reevaluated due to these changes.
