The Trump administration has mandated a 15-day review of public lands and national monuments, including those in Utah.
During his first term, President Donald Trump shrank the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments. President Joe Biden later reinstated both.
According to Daniel Hart, director of clean-energy and climate-resiliency policy at the National Parks Conservation Association, these types of monuments catch the Trump administration’s eye. They claim the monuments could be needed to lower fuel and energy costs. Hart questions this reasoning.
“They also have said that the need is there because there’s been so little oil and gas leasing,” he said. “However, the Biden administration had some of the most oil and gas production by an administration in a long time; it was ramped up under him. And some lease sales have gone without a bid over the past four years, even.”
The legality of Trump’s ability to modify monument boundaries has been questioned. There are claims he violated the Antiquities Act, legislation that gives presidents power to create national monuments. The court cases were ongoing until Biden reversed Trump’s actions. With Trump back in office, the issue could arise again.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued the internal review of oil, gas and mining on public lands and national monuments. The order looks to remove protections established by the previous administration. Hart argued that, despite current administrational promises, the effects of these actions won’t be seen for some time.
“The timeline from starting the lease sale until oil and gas is pumping and then refined and into the market is a long time,” he said. “It would not immediately do anything to lower gas prices across the country.”
Research shows strong support for public lands and national monuments, added Hart. He said these places protect the country’s natural and cultural resources.
“But also, there is a public benefit, of course,” he said. “They support the outdoor recreation economy, especially in rural states. There are trails all throughout them. They expand access to nature.”
Some 84% of Utahns support the creation of new national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas, according to the 2024 Conservation in the West poll.
Read the original article here.
Author: Maddi Munro
Photo courtesy of Zoshua Colah
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
outdoors@suunews.net
