President Trump signs proclamation reducing Bears Ears Monument to 121,100 acres
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on July 13 once again reducing the size of the Bears Ears National Monument.
The proclamation reduces the size of the Bears Ears Monument from approximately 1.36 million acres to 121,100 acres, an action the White House described as “Rightsizing”.
In a statement the White House noted that “specific landmarks, structures, and objects of historic and scientific interest that the Antiquities Act and monuments safeguard will continue to be protected, while the surrounding lands not relevant to such protected landmarks, structures, and objects will now be available for multiple-use, sustained-yield management.”
Trump also signed a proclamation reducing the size of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from approximately 1.87 million acres to 181,500 acres.
The proclamation describes the acreage that will remain part of the monument including approximately 106,816 acres in the Shas Jáa unit of the monument.
The proclamation describes the area as including the Bears Ears buttes, Arch Canyon, Mule Canyon and Comb Ridge. The proclamation notes the abundance of cultural and archaeological objects in the unit.
The unit also includes five non-contiguous parcels that the release describes as encompassing significant historic and prehistoric structures and objects of historic and scientific interest.
Among them include a 157-acre parcel for Doll House Ruin, a 314-acre parcel for Scorup Cabin and the surrounding area, a 693-acre parcel for the Rig Canyon Mining Exploration site, a 318-acre parcel for Moon House area and an 88-acre parcel for the Citadel.
In addition a 14,279 acre Indian Creek Unit is also part of the make-up of the monument reduced in size.
The proclamation also disbands and terminates the Bears Ears Commission, made up of five tribal nations with ties to the region. The proclamation notes the commission was established to provide guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of management plans. The proclamation says that while Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture have no obligation to coordinate with the commission, they shall continue to consult with Tribal Nations in accordance with other applicable authorities.
The proclamation also establishes an advisory committee to provide information and advice regarding the development of management plans for the monument.
The proclamation also states that the Interior and Agriculture secretaries “shall provide for public involvement in the development of any management plan, including consultation with federally recognized Tribes and State and local governments.”
The proclamation also states that the secretaries “shall endeavor to authorize traditional land uses within the Monument, such as grazing, recreation, timber management, public access, and infrastructure development, to the greatest extent possible, consistent with applicable law.”
The full proclamation can be found here:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/07/modifying-the-be...
The reduction in the size of the national monument is the third time the monument has changed in size after its creation.
A 1.35 million acre monument was designated by President Obama in 2016, with President Trump reducing the size of the monument to 228,000 acres in 2017. In 2021 President Biden restored the monument size to 1.36 million with this latest adjustment once again reducing the monument to 121,100 acres.
In a statement the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) Executive Director Scott Braden said the reduction “Makes it clear that Utah is the epicenter of Republican efforts to dismantle and obliterate America’s system of public lands.”
Braden also said SUWA will challenge the reduction in federal court.
Utah’s four Republican members of the house of representatives, two senators and Governor were all in attendance at the signing of the proclamation.
Senator Mike Lee said of the decision.
“(The) Smallest area compatible with the objects to be protected, that's always been the standard under the Antiquities Act. President Biden, President Clinton, and President Obama overlooked that standard. President Trump is fixing it. today.”