Sen. Romney posted messages chastising the Biden administration for ignoring local input in the decision on Bears Ears Monument. In reinstating the monument as established by Obama, Biden acknowledges the extensive local public input that the monument reflects. In deference to that input, Obama’s monument boundaries deleted lands in Recapture Canyon, Hart’s Draw, Raplee Anticline and Lime Ridge with oil and gas potential and uranium-rich lands west of Grand Gulch. These lands were part of the original Inter-Tribal Coalition proposal. Existing mining claims, mineral leases, and grazing leases remain in place. Grazing will be managed as it has been prior to monument designation.
In addition to ignoring the extensive accommodation of “local” interests in the original monument, Romney’s comments disparage Native Americans who have been on the land for centuries. No people are more “local”, and none have greater standing.
John R. Thomas, Salt Lake City
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