A majority of Utahns support keeping the Bears Ears National Monument as it was originally designated, according to a report by Michaelann Nelson.
The monument, located in Southeastern Utah, has been a subject of significant political and legal activity over the last decade.
The Bears Ears National Monument was established in 2016 by President Obama following a petition for designation from a coalition of Native American groups.
In 2017, the size of the monument was reduced by 85% during the first Trump administration. However, the boundaries were restored to their original extent in 2021 by President Biden.
Legal challenges have persisted, as the Utah Legislature provided $5 million in 2022 to fund the Attorney General’s office to challenge the designation. The State of Utah subsequently filed a lawsuit in August 2022 regarding the monument's status.
The report was published as part of the Utah People and Environment Poll (UPEP) by Utah State University.
