We need your eyes and ears.

President Trump’s orders to repeal Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments and replace them with dramatically smaller monuments has stripped protections for over two million acres of land.

We believe Trump’s orders are illegal and have filed two lawsuits challenging his drastic reductions of both monuments.

Until the courts rule on these lawsuits, SUWA will work to defend all lands within the original Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments from any harm.

You can help by participating in Monument Watch.

When you visit lands within the original, legal boundaries of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, watch for any action that may disturb, or is disturbing, the natural setting or archaeological sites.  If you live in southern Utah, listen and watch for any evidence that such an action is being planned or initiated.

If you see or hear anything suspicious, file a report immediately with SUWA. Reports can be filed in two ways. Follow directions below.

1. File a report via email:

• Email: monumentwatch@suwa.org
• Include your phone number.
• Include photos. Think like a documentarian.  Take several photos of the specific action and the location where it is taking place.
• Write a brief description of what you observed.
• Identify the location using the PDF maps for and Grand Staircase-Esclante and Bears Ears (Also, include a location description in your report.)
• Provide the date and time you observed the problem.

2. File a report with your phone or tablet (PDF Instructions embedded at the bottom of the page):

Before going into the field:

1. Download the Avenza app to your phone or tablet
   Apple App Store
   Google Play
   Windows Phone
2. Once you have the app installed, open the app and click “I’m New” to create your profile
   • Once you have created your profile, make sure to answer “ALLOW” when the app asks you if it can detect your location. This is necessary for the app to work properly.
   • To get the proper map references, copy the following link on your mobile device: https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/809234/suwa-gsenm- monumentwatchmap
   • In the app, press the orange “+”button and select “Download or import a map”
   • Under “Import Your Own Maps,” select “http://”
   • Paste the link into the box that appears
   • Click the orange “Get Map” button
   • Click the “Free” button to install the maps in your profile”
3. Click here for instructions on how to use the Azenza app in the field.

In particular, keep an eye out for vehicles, vehicle tracks, and bulldozers where they don’t belong!  This is a particular concern for Grand Staircase because Trump’s proclamation contains language prioritizing motorized vehicle use and the maintenance of roads and trails for such use.  The public may read this as a green light to drive vehicles off-road or on closed roads and trails.  Counties may read this as authorization to grade closed routes or “upgrade” primitive roads and trails. See “Resources” below for a map that shows which roads are legally open in the original Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Be aware that grazing, hunting, and fishing have always been legal in both monuments, so you don’t need to report these activities. Parties are also allowed to develop valid existing rights for oil/gas and mineral extraction, but only with proper permits, so DO report any indication that this kind of work is taking place. “Vegetation removal” projects (chainings) also remain legal under certain circumstances within the boundaries of both monuments, but only with proper public notice and environmental analysis, so DO report these activities as well.

Thank you for helping watch our monuments! With your help we will defend Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments from harm.

null

null