Update 12:35 PM MST — Pres. Donald Trump has signed two presidential proclamations, one to modify Bears Ears and another for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments.
"Public lands will once again be for public use — no one values the splendor of Utah more than you do..." Said Pres. Trump.
The proclamations reduce the overall size of both monuments, while breaking Grand Staircase-Escalante into three units, and Bears Ears into two separate units. See maps and facts below.
Benm Gsenm Maps and Facts by KUER News on Scribd
Supporters of the proclamation say that it gives a voice back to rural Americans.
Trump says grazing, ranching and hunting restrictions have been harmful to locals. "We have seen how this tragic federal overreach has deprived Native Americans of control over land" where they practice sacred traditions. #utpol
— Julia Ritchey (@juliaritchey) December 4, 2017
12:00 PM MST — Pres. Trump in in Utah today, where he's expected to announce sharp reductions to two National Monuments in Southern Utah — Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Early reports indicate the president could reduce both monuments by more than half their original size, a change long sought by anti-monument activists and Utah's Republican elected officials.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante was created by President Bill Clinton in 1996. Bear Ears was designated just last year by President Barack Obama toward the end of his term.
Trump's actions will likely to trigger a massive legal battle between the administration and pro-monument supporters, including environmental groups and the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, which lobbied for the designation.
Stay tuned to KUER's All Things Considered for more updates, and follow our reporters Judy Fahys, Lee Hale and Julia Ritchey on Twitter.
“You are a true fighter, Orrin,” says @realDonaldTrump. Says he hopes Hatch continues to serve in Senate for a long time to come. #utpol pic.twitter.com/vc3y13QTfD
— Julia Ritchey (@juliaritchey) December 4, 2017
“No one love public lands more than I,” say @SecretaryZinke. “This is about giving rural America a voice... giving a local voice back to America.” #utpol pic.twitter.com/eskECROPuv
— Julia Ritchey (@juliaritchey) December 4, 2017
Next to the podium where @realDonaldTrump is speaking is a signing desk, I’m told. Raises the stakes and optics of his decision on monuments today significantly. #utpol pic.twitter.com/qi6IRWoGqf
— Julia Ritchey (@juliaritchey) December 4, 2017
Protesters gather in the snow outside the UT Capitol as @realDonaldTrump is expected to land pic.twitter.com/IjJKF4KAfA
— Lee Hale (@leetroyhale) December 4, 2017
