"Two Utah Congress members have introduced a resolution that could end protections for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Conservation groups worry similar maneuvers on other federal lands will follow."
"Lawmakers from Utah have commandeered an obscure law to unravel protections for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, potentially delivering on a Trump administration goal of undoing protections for public conservation lands across the country.
This week two Utah Republicans, Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy, introduced a “joint resolution of disapproval” in the Senate and House, which will require Congress to vote on whether the Congressional Review Act (CRA) can overturn a resource management plan for the sprawling redrock landscape in the southern part of their state. If both chambers pass the resolution by a simple majority, the plan will be nullified. Similar actions eliminating other resource management plans could follow.
“This is the blueprint for which all uses on this land are managed, whether it’s for exploring a slot canyon or hiking or enjoying the night sky or grazing livestock,” said Axie Navas, a campaign director with The Wilderness Society. “Now Representative Maloy and Senator Lee are trying to use this arcane, top-down approach to rip up that blueprint.”"
Georgina Gustin reports for Inside Climate News March 5, 2026.
