President Trump has reduced Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments (BENM and GSENM) by 85 percent and 50 percent, respectively, disregarding the opinion of the majority of American people, including Utahns and Native Americans, who believe these monuments should be preserved as originally established.

There is nothing more uniquely American or democratic than our public lands, which are open for all people’s enjoyment. To ensure our spectacular cultural and natural resources are preserved, public land must be managed appropriately. This crucial responsibility appears to have been lost on our congressional delegation which, under the guise of “energy independence and national security,” instigated and supported the arbitrary reduction of these monuments in favor of extractive industries.

This is a travesty and an affront to all Americans, our habitat, wildlife and future generations. Great Salt Lake Audubon believes BENM and GSENM should remain as established for the protection of their world-class cultural and natural resources and for the enjoyment of all Americans. If members of our congressional delegation were really interested in energy independence and national security, they would be supporting every action that effectively mitigates climate change, truly the most significant threat to our national security.

Deborah Drain, Heather Dove, Salt Lake City