The largest rollback of publicly protected lands in U.S history.
In an unprecedented move since Teddy Roosevelt signed the 1903 Antiquity Act (granting presidents the authority to unilaterally protect public lands) – President Trump has seen to a historic reduction of publicly protected lands. In one order alone, President Trump – at the recommendation of then-Secretary of the Interior and self-described “Roosevelt guy” Ryan Zinke – reduced the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments by nearly 2 million acres.
Meanwhile, several other monuments are currently ‘under review’ by the administration with efforts underway to open them to drilling, mining, and other exploitation. Trump and Zinke have shamelessly claimed to be ‘liberating the land’ for the benefit of local populations and Native populations – all to the vocal opposition and lawsuits from local Native American tribes and environmentalist groups.
Status
Aug. 24th, 2017 PROPOSED REDUCTIONS
Interior Secretary Zinke proposes shrinking National Monuments, including: Bears Ears, Cascade-Siskiyou, Gold Butte, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Katahdin Woods and Waters, Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, and Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments.
National Monuments | Harvard Environmental & Energy Law Program
Dec. 4th, 2017 REDUCED PROTECTED LAND
Trump shrinks Bears Ears National Monument by 85% and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument by 46%.
Trump Slashes Size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Monuments | New York Times (12.4.17)
Feb. 6th, 2020 MINING PERMITTED
Department of Interior releases blueprint for coal and other mineral mining in the previously protected lands.
Trump Opens National Monument Land to Energy Exploration | New York Times (2.6.20)
Trump Is Coming For Your National Monuments | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (12.6.17)