Trump shrinks Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante by nearly 3 million acres
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Monday shrinking Bears Ears National Monument to about 121,000 acres and Grand Staircase-Escalante to about 182,000 acres — a combined reduction of nearly 3 million acres.
The signing took place in the Oval Office with all six members of Utah's congressional delegation, Gov. Spencer Cox and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz present. Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy, who spearheaded the effort, say the process began shortly after Trump's reelection.
Tribal leaders say there was zero consultation with the administration. Conservation groups have vowed legal action.
