President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday his decision to designate a Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah, eliciting immediate opposition from Utahns. “I am deeply disturbed by what has resulted from a troubling process,” shares Governor Gary Herbert. “By unilaterally locking up 1.35 million acres — an area roughly the size of the entire State of Delaware — the president has misused his authority under the Antiquities Act and violated assurances made by his Interior Secretary to take into account local concerns before making a monument designation.” Governor Herbert also emphasized that this decision ignores the will of the majority of Utahns, statewide elected officials, Utah’s congressional delegation and disregards the desire of Native American groups “who count these lands as their heritage to co-manage this culturally important area.”
Image source: Deseret News
