In July, when President Trump illegally decimated Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, SUWA said we would fight his actions in every way we can, using every tool in our toolbox, for as long as necessary. I’m writing today with an important update on that fight.
This morning we sued President Trump in U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, to overturn his illegal reductions of the national monuments and see them fully restored. We jointly filed litigation alongside our longtime partners the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Earthjustice (the latter is representing several other conservation groups). We have asked the court to reopen our previous lawsuit against President Trump’s 2017 monument rollbacks (which was put on hold following President Biden’s restorations) and have updated the case to challenge both sets of illegal proclamations.
 © Nathan St. Andre |
 © Brandon Garcia |
We expect Tribal Nations to file their own litigation against Trump’s unlawful actions soon, and we’re honored to stand alongside them. SUWA continues to work closely with the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante Inter-Tribal Coalitions, which have spoken in opposition to the reductions. Two additional coalitions of monument supporters also filed to reopen their litigation defending the monuments.
Our goal is full and complete restoration of both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. Today was an important step, but the results could be slow to unfold. In the meantime, SUWA will be there to defend the ground. We will track—and fight back against—mining claims, oil and gas leases, off-road vehicle trail proposals, and any other actions that could damage the monuments. We’re already harnessing the national outrage over Trump’s actions and translating that into political momentum to advance America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act, which would protect much of the land included in the monuments as wilderness.
Every day, we’re activating our members and activists in Utah and across the nation to step up and Protect Wild Utah; thank you for stepping up, time and time again. We’ll continue to provide opportunities to do so. If you’re able, please consider a donation to our work.
Stay tuned for more updates—good, bad, and otherwise—on the national monuments.
Thanks for all you do!
