Environmental advocates: Utah monument protections could affect Arizona
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Environmental advocates are concerned that the Trump administration could enact a rarely-used statute to remove environmental protections for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah, which they contend could put monuments at risk in other states, including Arizona.
The Congressional Review Act could be used to remove the current management plan for the Grand Staircase and eliminate environmental protections on nearly 2 million acres of land.
Alex Johnson, Southwest regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association, is concerned that such a move could be a template to take similar actions in other states that have already been protected by national monument status.
"In Arizona," he said, "the Ironwood Forest National Monument, which is adjacent to Saguaro National Park, that is then on the table for potential further Congressional Review Actions by Congress."
President Donald Trump has invoked the Congressional Review Act 22 times during his second term in office. Between 1996 – following its enactment – and 2024, the CRA was used a total of 20 times. Proponents of removing the protections argue they restricts grazing and economic development on too much public land.
Johnson contended that America's national monuments are unique places that reflect the country's history and culture, and play an important role in fostering safeguards for the land, the people who visit, and the animals that live there.
"Wildlife. Habitat connectivity, incredibly unique, special landscapes that we want to preserve for our children and grandchildren and just future generations to enjoy," he said.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has said that while the CRA can be invoked at any time, it is typically used during the transition to a new presidential administration, or when the U.S. House or Senate change majority party.
