Contributed by: Preservation Action
Organization: Preservation Action
Dated Posted: July 26, 2026

Earlier this month President Trump issued a proclamationreducing the size of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument by approximately 90%.

This move was largely expected as President Trump also called for the dramatic reduction of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument during his first term. Both reductions this time shrink the monuments by even more than the order during the President's first term.

Both monuments are located in Utah. The Bears Ears landscape contains numerous archaeological resources, prehistoric cliff dwellings, paleontological resources, and sites sacred to many Native American tribes. The dramatic reduction in size threatens to open this culturally important area to mining, oil and gas drilling, and harmful infrastructure development.

The Antiquities Act of 1906 give Presidents the authority to establish new National Monuments, but does not allow for the elimination or reduction of monuments. President Trump's effort to reduce the size of these monuments during his first term were challenged in court, but were ultimately restored by President Biden. These same court challenges are currently pending. Stay tuned fore more!