Utah Residents Show Strong Support for Restoring National Monument Sizes
A recent poll reveals significant support among Utahns for restoring two national monuments to their original sizes, which were reduced during the Trump administration. The poll highlights ongoing debates about the management of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments.
Conducted by New Bridge Strategy, the survey involved 500 registered voters across Utah. It focused on opinions regarding the downsizing of these national monuments by nearly 90% each under the Trump administration. With a ban on new mining claims set to expire imminently, the potential for resource extraction looms large.
Historically, mining claims were restricted within the original boundaries of these monuments, areas known for their coal and uranium deposits. The survey was commissioned by the Grand Canyon Trust, a conservation nonprofit.
During a virtual press conference, environmental and tribal leaders emphasized the cultural and historical significance of these lands. Davina Smith-Idjesa, representing the Navajo Nation in the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, stated, “They are our sacred places, our churches, our medicine cabinets, our grocery stores, and living landscapes where ceremonies, histories, teachings and relationships with land continue today.” Smith-Idjesa further emphasized the importance of tribal sovereignty and co-management.
The findings also reveal that over 80% of Utah residents believe it’s crucial for tribal nations to have a management role in public lands that include sacred sites. This sentiment aligns with efforts to maintain the current size of the monuments, as determined by President Joe Biden after reversing Trump’s initial downsizing in 2017.
For further reading, you can explore Trump’s initial reduction efforts and the 2024 survey results by New Bridge Strategy here.
Editor’s Note: Grand Canyon Trust is a financial supporter of KNAU.
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