Bears Ears Comment Deadline Coming Up

 by Tim Peterson, Utah Wildlands Director

Update: The public comment period closed on April 11, 2018. Read the Grand Canyon Trust's comments ›

Want to do something to help protect Bears Ears? Now’s your chance. 

Amid a heated court battle challenging President Trump’s attempt to slash Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent, dismembering the monument into two small units, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is moving ahead to create monument management plans for the reduced Indian Creek and Shash Jaa' units.

Public comments are due April 11, 2018.

How do I comment?

Submit your comment directly to the BLM via its online form ›

Send an email to blm_ut_monticello_monuments@blm.gov

Prefer snail mail? Send your comments to: Bureau of Land Management, 365 North Main, P.O. Box 7, Monticello, UT 84535.

What should I say?

Please take a minute to present your comments in your own words. Start with who you are and your personal connection to Bears Ears. Next, list any credentials that may distinguish your comment from others. Are you an archaeologist, backcountry hiker, or local business owner? Say so.

Some other key points to hit:

• The BLM should abstain from monument management planning under the Trump proclamation for Bears Ears National Monument until the legitimacy of that proclamation is fully settled by the courts.
• Rather than wasting time and taxpayer dollars on these management plans, the BLM should invest in managing skyrocketing visitation to protect the natural and cultural resources on the ground within Bears Ears National Monument.
• Any actions proposed within the original and valid boundaries of Bears Ears National Monuments should substantially advance the proper care and management of the objects of interest as set forth in Proclamation 9558, the original proclamation creating the Bears Ears National Monument.
• The BLM and Forest Service should include alternatives in its plans that protect the resources of the original monument as set forth in Proclamation 9558 to ensure that the monument management plans cover both the areas in the original proclamation as well as the reduced areas. 
• To allow the public time to comment, the comment period should be extended to at least 90 days following the last public hearing.

Ready? Submit your comment now ›

The Bureau of Land Management is also hosting two public meetings, giving people the opportunity to make their voices heard. Please consider joining us and speaking up for Bears Ears at the end of the month in Bluff and Blanding, Utah. 

Monday, March 26
4:30 — 8:00 p.m.
San Juan High School
311 North 100 East
Blanding, Utah 84511

Tuesday, March 27
Bluff Community Center
3rd East and Mulberry Bluff Rd
Bluff, Utah 84512

More information about the BLM’s proposed monument management plans can be found on the BLM’s planning website. Take a look ›

Thank you for taking the time to stand with Bears Ears. The Grand Canyon Trust believes the Trump proclamation is unlawful — the president has the authority to create a national monument under the Antiquities Act, but only Congress can revoke or reduce a national monument.