Breaking News:

Utah Attorney General announces second challenge to national monuments

Nov 1, 2023, 9:59 AM | Updated: 10:08 pm

The Bears Ears area as seen from Comb Ridge in southern Utah....

The Bears Ears area as seen from Comb Ridge in southern Utah. (Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)

(Scott G Winterton/Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — The State of Utah is returning to federal court to challenge President Biden’s designation of two national monuments. The lawsuit was filed in the United States Court of Appeals on Tuesday, according to a press release from Attorney General Sean Reyes’ office. 

The initial challenge filed by Reyes was dismissed in August 2023. 

Reyes’ argument said that the size of the monuments violates the Antiquities Act of 1906, which allows presidents to create national monuments. According to the initial filing of the lawsuit, the large size of the two monuments makes maintaining them “unmanageable.”

The Antiquities Act also protects “cultural and natural resources of historic or scientific interest on federal lands.” 

KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas said that according to the lawsuit, there isn’t anything historic or scientific on the lands to protect, unlike the great geysers in Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon.

“And I’m not trying to say anything denigrating about Bears Ears, and Grand Staircase, they’re beautiful,” he said.

“But the argument the state’s making is, they’re like any other beautiful prairie or forest that we have all over our country, we don’t need to set these aside,” Skordas said.

A game of political football over national monuments

The battle over these designations began in 1996 when former President Bill Clinton set aside 1.7 million acres to found Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Former President Barack Obama’s designation of Bears Ears National Monument included 1.35 million acres. 

In 2017, former President Donald Trump reduced the size of the two monuments. He said the reason was “to reverse federal overreach and restore the rights of this land to your citizens.”

President Joe Biden restored the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante in 2021. 

The political football over these monuments has led to a lot of attention and some unintended consequences.

“What some of the locals down there are saying is that these lands are now in worse shape,” Skordas said.

“That’s because there isn’t enough infrastructure at Bears Ears and Grand Staircase for visitors. There aren’t roads or visitor centers for people to get to the monuments. 

“People are now just sort of going in there and trashing it, which is ironic because we’re setting it aside so that exactly doesn’t happen,” Skordas said.

A statement from Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, affirms Skordas’ assertion.

“What the public doesn’t realize is larger monuments make it much harder to protect sacred areas and objects,” Reyes said in a statement.

“These designations require resources, planning, and input from stakeholders and all those affected. D.C. is not listening to the realities of management, safety, and other local issues.”

The challenge reissued by Utah officials says the combined size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase, which is 3.2 million acres, violates the Antiquities Act of 1906.

Mariah Maynes and Kristine Weller contributed to this article.

Related:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

The Living Planet Aquarium announced Saturday morning that their clouded leopard had passed away....

Alton Barnhart

The Living Planet Aquarium leopard died by onset diabetes

The Living Planet Aquarium announced on Saturday that its clouded leopard died of sudden-onset diabetes.

18 minutes ago

FILE - Handcuffs in a jail cell. A Liberty Wells man was arrested for allegedly striking a woman wi...

Alton Barnhart

Liberty Wells man arrested for hitting woman with his car, police say

A Liberty Wells man was arrested on Friday for allegedly hitting a woman with his car after arguing with her over a parking spot.

3 hours ago

Westbound I-80 Green River Tunnel after fire was put out from a crash on Friday....

Kennedy Camarena

Scene being cleared, tunnel structure is holding after Wyoming’s Green River Tunnel crash

Wyoming Department of Transportation says the westbound Green River Tunnel structure is holding after a crash in the tunnel on Friday.

3 hours ago

According to the Utah Department of Transportation, all southbound lanes of Bangerter Highway were ...

Alton Barnhart

Bangerter Highway reopened after weather-related crash, UDOT confirmed

Bangerter Highway closed on Saturday morning due to a weather-related crash over a snowy weekend.

5 hours ago

A long-shot Democratic proposal to raise taxes on those earning $1 million or more was rejected by ...

DANIEL WOODRUFF, KSL TV

Raise taxes on the rich? Utah lawmakers say no

A long-shot Democratic proposal to raise taxes on those earning $1 million or more was rejected by a Utah Senate committee this week.

7 hours ago

This week's freezing temperatures followed by lots of moisture and warmer temperatures could cause ...

Britt Johnson

Recent warmer temperatures could lead to high flooding potential

This week's freezing temperatures followed by lots of moisture and warmer temperatures could cause some flooding.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

Utah Attorney General announces second challenge to national monuments