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Legal challenges to Utah national monument downsizing

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2026-09-07 03:57 UTC → 2026-09-08 15:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A coalition of environmental groups, tribal organizations, and the outdoor retailer Patagonia has filed legal challenges to overturn President Trump’s decision to significantly downsize two Utah national monuments: Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. The plaintiffs argue that the president lacks the legal authority under the Antiquities Act to revoke or downsize existing designations, asserting that such power resides with Congress. They contend the reductions leave land vulnerable to oil, gas, coal, and hard rock mining leases. Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert stated that the administration’s actions “betray Tribal sovereignty and disregard established management plans for culturally significant lands.” 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. In a specific legal action, Patagonia has sued the U.S. government, asserting that the proposed reductions would strip protections from nearly 3 million acres. The company notes that the orders would decrease the size of Bears Ears by approximately 91% and Grand Staircase-Escalante by about 90%. Gellert emphasized that the rollback undermines the unique co-management structure established between the federal government and five Tribal nations: the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, and the Pueblo of Zuni.

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