Ginny Cramer, ginny.cramer@sierraclub.org
Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Biden will consider restoring protections for Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine Monument
Massachusetts/Utah— On its first official day, the Biden administration rolled out an executive order to undo several environmental and public health rollbacks issued under Trump. In the order, the Biden administration stated it will review the rollback of protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments in Utah and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument off the coast of New England— places that saw safeguards gutted under the Trump administration. Read the full order here.
In response to the announcement, representatives of the Sierra Club released the following statements:
“We are encouraged to see President Biden respect Indigenous sovereignty, prioritize climate action, and review the gutting of protections for national monuments issued under Trump. Rightfully restoring Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments would preserve Tribal history and culture, rich biodiversity, and be a profound step forward for our communities and climate,” said Carly Ferro, Director of the Sierra Club's Utah Chapter. “In Utah, we look forward to working with the Biden administration to help restore national monument protections, prioritize Tribal consultation and management, and make land conservation a part of the climate solution.”
“The Biden administration’s decision to review Trump’s gutting of safeguards for Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Monument is a promising first step in our fight against the overlapping climate and extinction crises. Restoring the marine monument will benefit Massachusetts’ coastal communities, local economies dependent on healthy waters, and provide a lifeline for our diminishing ocean life and endangered deep-water coral.” said Jacob Stern, Deputy Director of the Sierra Club’s Massachusetts Chapter. “We look forward to President Biden taking swift and important action to protect threatened species, bolster the economy, and preserve New England’s greatest natural treasures for future generations.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.