The Utah federal delegation on July 13, 2026, welcomed President Trump's proclamation to modify the boundaries of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monuments, a move officials say returns the designations to the scale intended by the Antiquities Act.
Monument Size Reductions
The presidential action significantly reduces the footprint of the two monuments. The proclamation shrinks Bears Ears National Monument to approximately 121,000 acres and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument to approximately 182,000 acres. Under previous designations, the two monuments encompassed roughly 3.2 million acres, an area larger than the combined size of Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Restoring Local Access
Senator Mike Lee, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, said the proclamation respects the limits Congress placed on the Antiquities Act. Lee argued that previous administrations used monument designations to lock up millions of acres, which restricted grazing and closed roads, cutting rural communities off from lands their families have worked for generations.
Criticism of Previous Administrations
Representative Burgess Owens criticized the previous management of the monuments, stating the large-scale designations were an unmistakable violation of the 'smallest area compatible' standard. Owens attributed the original large-scale designations to actions taken by Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, noting that the previous boundaries were larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
Continued Federal Protection
The Utah delegation emphasized that the lands outside the new, smaller boundaries remain under federal ownership and continue to be protected by existing state and federal laws. According to the delegation, the revised boundaries are intended to allow federal agencies to focus limited personnel and funding on specific cultural, historic, and scientific objects.
Calls for Legislative Solutions
Senator John Curtis noted that while the executive action is a step toward a more balanced approach to land management, the ultimate responsibility lies with Congress to enact lasting solutions and bring stakeholders together. He cited an approach used in Emery County as a successful model for future land management.
Community-Centered Management
Other members of the delegation, including Representative Celeste Maloy and Representative Mike Kennedy, stated the action honors the protection of Utah's natural resources while giving greater consideration to the local communities who live closest to the lands.
Addressing Local Concerns
Representative Blake Moore remarked that the issue has become a recurring back-and-forth between administrations, but asserted that the new announcement considers years of local concern regarding restricted access while still protecting the state's resources for future generations.
