Officials and advocacy groups in southern Utah reacted with alarm Friday to media reports that the White House plans to sign two presidential proclamations or executive orders next week that would affect Bears Ears and Grand Staircase‑Escalante national monuments.
The reports, first circulated by media outlets, say the actions are expected Monday. As of Friday the White House had not publicly confirmed or released details of any proclamations or orders.
What this could mean for local residents
Any change to monument designations would affect land-use rules across large tracts of public land in southern Utah. That could have implications for recreation, conservation, energy development and cultural site protections that matter to local residents, tribes and businesses that rely on stable management and clear regulations.
Advocacy groups say they will challenge the move in court and continue political efforts to defend protections.
- Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance said it would defend the monuments “whether that’s in a court of law or the halls of Congress.”
- Center for Western Priorities reiterated that the Antiquities Act does not permit unilateral rollbacks of national monuments, calling recent efforts legally suspect.
“Monday’s anticipated action by President Trump is unlawful, unwise, and unacceptable. These spectacular landscapes deserve to be protected for current and future generations, not opened to exploitation at the behest of Utah politicians,” said Scott Braden, executive director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Statements from groups
Scott Braden, executive director of the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, called the expected action “unlawful, unwise, and unacceptable” and said the group is committed to defending the monuments. Braden described Grand Staircase‑Escalante as a “crown jewel” and Bears Ears as an “incomparable cultural landscape,” saying protections are popular among Utahns and Americans.
Aaron Weiss, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities, said the Antiquities Act has historically been interpreted as a one‑way statute for creating monuments and suggested prior attempts to alter monuments were legally flawed.
“The Antiquities Act was a one-way statute when Teddy Roosevelt signed it into law. It was a one-way statute when President Trump tried to ignore it in 2017. It's still a one-way statute today,” Weiss said.
Background and legal context
Federal monuments established under the Antiquities Act have been the subject of legal and political disputes in recent years. The groups quoted Friday signaled they would pursue legal remedies if presidential action proceeds. They also indicated continued advocacy in Congress to restore or preserve monument protections.
| Monument | Reported action |
|---|---|
| Bears Ears | Subject of an expected proclamation or executive order |
| Grand Staircase‑Escalante | Subject of an expected proclamation or executive order |
Local leaders, tribal nations and other stakeholders were not quoted in the report released Friday. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Center for Western Priorities — two organizations that frequently litigate and lobby on public lands issues — framed the anticipated action as both unlawful and politically motivated.
News outlets reported the plans; however, the White House had not issued public confirmation before the updates on Friday evening. The groups said they are prepared to respond through courts and Congress if the proclamations or orders are issued as reported.
As this develops, residents and visitors who use the monuments for recreation or who rely on those landscapes for their livelihoods will likely watch closely for official federal announcements and any immediate administrative changes.
Reporting from Blanding and southern Utah contributed to this story. News Block will update this report when federal agencies or the White House publish official documents or statements.
