Donald Trump drastically reduces size of two Utah national monuments, sparking immediate conflict with conservationists and tribal groups.

Donald Trump signed executive orders dramatically shrinking the size of the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears national monuments in Utah. The action removes nearly three million acres of public land designated as federally protected. The administration stated the reduction was necessary to "right-size" the monuments, asserting that the original, expansive boundaries exceeded what the Antiquities Act requires for protecting cultural sites. Officials supporting the move argued it will improve local management and open up areas for resource extraction. However, the move was strongly opposed by local Native American groups and conservationists. Critics argue the reduced protections endanger sacred cultural sites and valuable ecosystems. They noted that the monuments were originally created to restrict development, mining, and oil and gas leasing. The move revives a long-standing political fight over federal land control in Utah.

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