The Utah federal delegation issued a joint statement on July 13, 2026, welcoming President Trump's proclamation to modify the boundaries of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. The lawmakers characterized the executive action as a necessary correction to ensure presidential authority aligns with the specific mandates of the Antiquities Act.
Restoring Antiquities Act Intentions
In a press release issued from Washington, D.C., members of the Utah congressional delegation argued that the new boundaries represent a return to the proper application of the 1906 Antiquities Act. The delegation noted that the original law authorizes presidents to protect historic and scientific objects by reserving only the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of those objects.
Representative Blake Moore stated that the recent decision addresses years of local concern regarding restricted access and the misuse of federal authority. He noted that the issue has historically been a back-and-forth conflict between different presidential administrations, but asserted that today's announcement accounts for the voices of Utahns who have long pushed for more appropriate land management.
Concerns Over Past Designations
The delegation expressed a shared belief that previous monument designations were implemented without meaningful input from the local communities most directly affected by the restrictions. Senator Mike Lee criticized past administrations for using monument designations to 'lock up' millions of acres, which he said resulted in closed roads, restricted grazing, and the isolation of rural communities from lands worked by their families for generations.
Senator Lee thanked the President for correcting what he described as an abuse of power and for respecting the limits placed on executive authority by Congress. The delegation emphasized that while the monument boundaries have been modified, the lands located outside these new boundaries remain federal public lands protected under existing federal laws.
Criticism of Previous Administrations
Representative Burgess Owens provided a more pointed critique of former presidents, alleging that the expansion of these monuments constituted an unmistakable violation of the 'smallest area compatible' standard. Owens specifically cited the actions of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, stating that their administrations created monuments larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
Owens characterized the situation as one where accountability has finally prevailed, noting that the previous expansions were made with a disregard for the Utah communities that cherish these landscapes. He argued that the current administration's willingness to listen to local stakeholders is essential for respecting the rule of law.
A Call for Congressional Action
Senator John Curtis highlighted a more collaborative approach to land management, pointing to the success seen in Emery County as a model for future cooperation. While Curtis supported the President's executive action as an important step toward a balanced approach, he maintained that the ultimate responsibility lies with Congress to enact lasting solutions through the legislative process.
Curtis noted that executive orders alone cannot bridge disagreements between stakeholders, but rather require congressional action to bring parties together and create permanent management frameworks.
Emphasis on Local Stewardship
Other members of the delegation echoed these sentiments by focusing on the importance of local stewardship. Representative Celeste Maloy stated that the action honors the goal of protecting Utah's natural and cultural resources while giving greater consideration to the people who live near the lands in question.
Similarly, Representative Mike Kennedy argued that decisions regarding land management should rest with the communities closest to the land rather than a 'distant bureaucracy.' He emphasized that honoring the original intent of the Antiquities Act is the most rational way to safeguard Utah's treasures while ensuring residents have a voice in their future.
Future Land Management
The modified designations are intended to ensure that these landscapes remain available for responsible stewardship and multiple use. The Utah delegation concluded that the President's action represents a significant move toward protecting the state's remarkable natural and cultural resources through a more appropriate interpretation of federal law.
