Future of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments: Implications of the Latest Review
The fate of Utah's Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments has been a topic of contention over the past decade, with shifting approaches from different presidential administrations. President Donald Trump previously reduced the size of the monuments in 2017, leading to legal battles and challenges from various groups. In 2021, President Joe Biden restored the monuments to their original boundaries. The Trump administration initiated a new review of the national monuments in 2025-2026, and today, Trump is expected to announce the next steps in that review, potentially altering the management of the protected lands.
The anticipated announcement could have significant implications for public land management, recreation, tourism, energy development, and the communities surrounding the monuments. Depending on the administration's actions, legal challenges are likely to arise, continuing the debate over the future of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante.