Ian Brickey: (202) 675-6270, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- The Biden administration has announced it will recommend a full restoration of safeguards for three national monuments whose boundaries were shrunk by the Trump administration. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments as well as Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument protect about five million acres of federal land and water — and will help the Biden administration achieve its goals of conserving 30% of lands and waters by 2030.
The Sierra Club continues to join the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition in calling for full protection of 1.9 million acres in Bears Ears National Monument that safeguard cultural and ecological sites. Read a statement from the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition here.
In response to the report, Chris Hill, Director of the Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign, released the following statement:
“The Biden administration’s decision to restore protections for three national monuments fulfills a promise to Tribal Nations and reaffirms its commitment to addressing the overlapping biodiversity and climate crises. The decision is a renewed commitment to the stewardship these places deserve.
“We are thrilled Secretary Haaland has heeded the call of Tribal Nations to restore safeguards for the sacred lands in Bears Ears.
“It is clear a cohesive, diverse movement can and will prevail over the profit motivations and injustices perpetrated by the fossil fuel and mining industries. Right now is our moment to chart a path together, rooted in justice, to protect the lands, waters and biodiversity on which we all depend.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of 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.