Glen Brand (207) 761-5616 or glen.brand@sierraclub.org
PORTLAND, ME--Today, during his visit in Utah, President Trump effectively eliminated Bears Ears and Grand Staircase- Escalante national monuments. The decision comes after the Department of the Interior received more than 2.8 million public comments during a review process--98% urging protection of national monuments.
Stripping safeguards for these places is an unprecedented act in American history. The administration has indicated they will consider allowing drilling, mining and clearcutting in these places. The decision about Utah’s nationals monuments still leaves several others across the country at risk of reduction-- including Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
In response, Sierra Club Maine Chapter Director Glen Brand released the following statement:
“The stripping of Utah’s national monuments represents an attack on public lands everywhere. Trump has completely disrespected Native American history and culture embedded in Bears Ears, and is undermining Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as a Latino heritage site. This type of injustice will not be tolerated. The Sierra Club will not back down in the fight to protect public lands and the people they benefit.
"Our public lands represent the values we cherish as Americans. Getting people out to enjoy and retreat in these places embodies our ideals of inclusiveness, freedom and community. We need to be continuing conservation efforts and capitalizing on these priceless benefits.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.