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Utah National Monuments: Patagonia and environmental groups sue over Trump's downsizing
A coalition of environmental groups, tribal organizations, and the outdoor retailer Patagonia has filed legal challenges to overturn President Trump’s July decision to significantly downsize two Utah national monuments.
The reductions target the Bears Ears National Monument and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. According to court filings, the Bears Ears National Monument was reduced from 87 million acres to 181,500 acres, while Grand Staircase-Escalante was reduced from 1.36 million acres to approximately 121,100 acres.
The plaintiffs argue that the president lacks the legal authority under the Antiquities Act to revoke or downsize existing monument designations, asserting that such power resides with Congress. They also contend that the reductions leave the land vulnerable to oil, gas, coal, and hard rock mining leases.
The White House has defended the move, stating the administration 'rightsized' the monuments to allow for 'common sense land use' and accusing previous administrations of abusing the Antiquities Act to lock up public lands.
Entities
Bears Ears National Monument · Donald Trump · Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument · Patagonia · Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] President Trump signed proclamations in July that significantly reduced the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.independent.co.uk · politicit.com · suwa.org · townlift.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The White House stated that the administration 'rightsized' the monument to allow for common sense land use. politicit.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Patagonia and environmental groups have filed lawsuits to challenge the reduction of Utah national monuments. politicit.com · bitcoinethereumnews.com · suwa.org · www.independent.co.uk · townlift.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument was reduced from 1.36 million acres to 121,100 acres. bitcoinethereumnews.com · townlift.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The lawsuits argue the president lacks the legal authority under the Antiquities Act to revoke or downsize national monument designations. bitcoinethereumnews.com · www.independent.co.uk · townlift.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert stated that public lands are vital to the $1.2 trillion outdoor industry. bitcoinethereumnews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The monument reductions open the land to potential oil, gas, coal, and hard rock mining leases. politicit.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Bears Ears National Monument was reduced from 87 million acres to 181,500 acres. bitcoinethereumnews.com