White House Attempts to Shrink Bears Ears National Monument Again, Threatening Iconic Landscapes and Indigenous Heritage

July 16, 2026, 09:06 PM – The White House is once again embroiled in a contentious effort to drastically reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument, marking the second significant attempt to diminish its protected acreage in less than a decade. This latest move, announced on July 12, 2026, by the current administration, proposes a staggering 91 percent reduction of the monument, a move that echoes the controversial actions of the Trump administration in 2017. Following that earlier reduction and a subsequent reversal by the Biden administration, the fate of this spectacular, yet embattled, Utah landscape hangs precariously in the balance. To help understand the profound implications of this proposed rollback, Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy breaks down five critical points that hikers and conservation advocates must know.

On July 13th, 2026, the administration unveiled sweeping cuts impacting not only Bears Ears but also Grand Staircase-Escalante, two national monuments that have been at the epicenter of a three-decade-long controversy. This marks the second instance of the current administration attempting to curtail their protected status. The previous reduction in 2017 was eventually reversed by President Joe Biden upon his inauguration, a decision that temporarily restored the monuments to their original, expansive boundaries.

Adam Roy, Editor-in-Chief of Backpacker Magazine, brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to this ongoing saga. His early career included a stint as a contributor to the local newspaper in Moab, Utah, a vital gateway community for explorations into Bears Ears. He has been meticulously documenting the narrative surrounding Bears Ears since its initial designation as a national monument in 2016. Furthermore, in 2019, he led Backpacker’s other editors on their annual Editors’ Choice trip, an immersive experience that deepened their understanding and appreciation for the unparalleled natural and cultural significance of Bears Ears. With this extensive background, Roy offers crucial insights for hikers and all those concerned about the future of this iconic American landscape.

1. The Latest Cuts to Bears Ears are Monumental in Scale

The executive order issued this July proposes to shrink Bears Ears National Monument by an astonishing 91 percent, amounting to approximately 1.2 million acres. This vast expanse is challenging to fully comprehend, but for context, it is roughly equivalent in size to Grand Canyon National Park. This drastic reduction effectively carves out significant portions of the monument, placing numerous vital backpacking destinations and irreplaceable cultural sites outside its protective embrace. Among the areas now threatened by this reduction are:

• Grand Gulch: A highly prized destination for backpackers, renowned for its intricate network of canyons, ancient cliff dwellings, and stunning geological formations. Its inclusion within the monument has historically ensured its preservation for future generations.
• Cedar Mesa: This high plateau is a treasure trove of Ancestral Puebloan history, boasting one of the densest concentrations of well-preserved ancient architecture in the entire United States. The sheer number and quality of archaeological sites here are unparalleled, offering a profound connection to the region’s deep past.
• Cheesebox Canyon: A spectacular slot canyon, celebrated for its narrow passages, sculpted sandstone walls, and the ethereal play of light within its confines. Such formations are ecologically sensitive and hold immense aesthetic and recreational value.
• Valley of the Gods: This broad, scenic valley presents a landscape reminiscent of the iconic Monument Valley, with towering sandstone monoliths and expansive vistas that capture the grandeur of the American Southwest. Its inclusion has protected its visual integrity and ecological health.

The removal of these areas from monument status opens them to potential development, resource extraction, and increased recreational pressures, jeopardizing their natural beauty, cultural significance, and the wilderness experience they offer.

2. The Shadow of Mining Looms Large Over Bears Ears

A primary driver behind the persistent efforts to shrink Bears Ears National Monument, and a recurring argument from its opponents, has been the assertion that its protected status impedes access to valuable mineral deposits. While the exact extent of these deposits remains a subject of debate, historical exploration in the region confirms their presence. Indeed, in 2017, the potential for mineral extraction was a significant factor influencing the Trump administration’s decision to redraw the monument’s boundaries.

In 2026, the same rationale is being invoked. The latest executive order explicitly cites “critical minerals such as silver, copper, molybdenum, lead, uranium, vanadium, and zinc” as a principal motivation for reducing Bears Ears. While the scale of future mining operations remains uncertain, there is substantial reason for concern among local residents, particularly given the deeply troubled history of uranium mining in this area.

From the mid-20th century onwards, uranium mining in southeastern Utah presented a complex dichotomy. While it provided much-needed economic stimulus and jobs for communities like Monticello and Moab, it also inflicted devastating health consequences on those who lived and worked in close proximity to the operations. Monticello, a town situated near Bears Ears, hosted a uranium mill from 1943 to 1960. For decades following its closure, residents experienced significantly elevated rates of certain cancers, a grim legacy of environmental contamination. The town of Moab also bears the scars of this industry; the Atlas Mill, a major uranium processing facility, declared bankruptcy in 1998, leaving taxpayers to shoulder the substantial cost of the extensive environmental cleanup required. The specter of such a history, coupled with the current administration’s emphasis on extracting these minerals, raises serious concerns about environmental degradation and public health in the region.

3. A Fundamental Shift in Monument Management is Underway

The current executive order signifies a profound alteration in how Bears Ears is managed. When the Obama administration first designated Bears Ears National Monument in 2016, it established the Bears Ears Commission. This independent body was designed to be a crucial advisory council, comprised of representatives from the five Native American tribes that had jointly petitioned for the monument’s creation: the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Ute Mountain Ute, and the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. These tribes hold deep cultural and spiritual connections to Bears Ears, and the commission was intended to provide them with a significant voice in guiding federal policy and land management decisions within the monument.

The executive order issued in July 2026 fundamentally dismantles this collaborative governance model. It proposes to expand the advisory committee for Bears Ears to fifteen members. While five of these positions will be reserved for tribal representatives, the remaining ten will drastically shift the balance of power. Four members will be drawn from local and county government entities, which have historically been opposed to the monument’s designation. Crucially, six members will be directly appointed by the governor of Utah. These gubernatorial appointees are intended to represent interests such as cattle ranchers, private landowners, and off-road vehicle operators. Given that many of these groups, along with the state government and Utah’s congressional delegation, have consistently advocated against robust protections for Bears Ears, this restructuring of the advisory committee is poised to fundamentally alter and potentially undermine the monument’s management, prioritizing extractive and recreational interests over conservation and tribal sovereignty.

4. Local Opinion on Bears Ears is Far More Nuanced Than Often Portrayed

Understanding the complex tapestry of local sentiment surrounding Bears Ears requires a nuanced approach, moving beyond simplistic narratives. A common argument against the monument’s designation has been that it was imposed without the consent of local residents. While this assertion holds some truth in specific contexts, it fails to capture the full picture. The governments of several towns within San Juan County, including Bluff, Blanding, and Monticello, have indeed maintained a consistent stance against the national monument’s protections. San Juan County itself, where the monument is primarily located, has often, though not uniformly, opposed its designation.

However, this perspective is incomplete. When discussing "local opinion" in the context of public lands, the critical question of who constitutes a "local" and whose voices are amplified becomes paramount. Bears Ears abuts the ancestral and current homelands of several of the tribes that championed its creation. The Navajo Nation shares a direct border, as does a portion of the Ute Mountain Ute reservation. The other three petitioning tribes possess profound historical ties to the region, and their governments actively advocated for and subsequently joined legal efforts to restore the monument to its original size after its reduction. Their connection to the land is not merely historical but deeply rooted in ongoing cultural and spiritual practices.

Furthermore, the definition of "local" extends beyond immediate county lines. Bears Ears is situated in San Juan County, but the monument garners significant support in Grand County, located directly to the north. Moab, the county seat of Grand County, lies on the boundary between these two jurisdictions. While a two-hour drive from the heart of Bears Ears, by the standards of vast southern Utah, this proximity is akin to being in the "next town over." The Grand County government has been a steadfast supporter of Bears Ears, recognizing that its economy is heavily reliant on outdoor recreation, with BLM lands, including the monument, playing a vital role in attracting visitors and sustaining local businesses.

Even within San Juan County, the sentiment has not always been uniformly against the monument. The county commission’s political control has shifted over time. A pivotal moment occurred in 2018 when a voting rights lawsuit necessitated the redrawing of electoral districts, leading to the election of the county’s first-ever majority-Navajo commission. Following this shift, San Juan County moved to support the designation of Bears Ears. Upon President Biden’s election, the county formally requested that he restore the monument to its original boundaries.

Examining Utah as a whole reveals a broader trend. While the state government and its federal delegation have actively opposed Bears Ears, public opinion polls suggest a more favorable view among the average Utah resident. A poll commissioned by an environmental nonprofit in the preceding year indicated that a remarkable 71 percent of Utah voters supported maintaining Bears Ears as a national monument, a significant margin that underscores a disconnect between state leadership and the sentiments of many of its citizens.

5. The Battle for Bears Ears is Likely Headed Back to the Courts

The history of legal challenges surrounding Bears Ears suggests that this latest attempt to shrink the monument will almost certainly culminate in further litigation. When the Trump administration first reduced Bears Ears in 2017, a broad coalition of plaintiffs filed lawsuits to contest the decision. This coalition included numerous environmental non-profit organizations, the five Native American tribes that had spearheaded the monument’s creation, and prominent outdoor apparel companies like Patagonia. These lawsuits were actively progressing when President Biden took office and reinstated the monument’s original boundaries, rendering the pending legal actions moot.

While not all of the original litigants have publicly committed to re-engaging in legal battles, several have indicated their firm intention to do so. Both Earthjustice and the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) have informed Backpacker Magazine that they plan to file new lawsuits challenging the 2026 executive order.

Their primary legal argument centers on the interpretation of the Antiquities Act of 1906. They contend that the Act empowers presidents to establish national monuments but does not grant them the authority to shrink or rescind existing ones. Legal experts consulted by Backpacker confirm that a plain reading of the statute appears to support this interpretation. However, they also note that the courts have historically shown considerable deference to presidential power in matters of monument designation and modification. Consequently, the ultimate outcome of these anticipated legal challenges remains uncertain, making the future of Bears Ears National Monument a subject of ongoing legal and political contention.

For over a decade, Backpacker Magazine has been closely monitoring the evolving landscape of Bears Ears National Monument and the persistent threats it has faced. This commitment to coverage will continue as the situation unfolds. For the latest updates on the preservation efforts and challenges facing America’s national monuments, readers are encouraged to visit backpacker.com.