Massive New National Monument Proposed in Southern Utah

A coalition of environmental, recreational, political and business groups has come together to support the establishment of a 1.8 million acre national monument in the Colorado Plateau region of Southern Utah. The proposed Monument, covering an area larger than Delaware, would include areas surrounding Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Manti-La Sal National Forest. As stated on the Coalition’s website, there is an urgent need to protect this area from “[i]ncreasing pressure from oil and gas development, potash and uranium mining, and even tar sands development [which] threaten the archeological, biological, and recreational values of this unique region — not to mention threatening the source of the Southwest’s most critical watershed.” Not surprisingly, this initiative has been opposed by those in the extractive industries. The proposed monument is also being actively opposed by Utah’s Congressional delegation and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.

For the time being, President Obama has said that there will be no designation of the proposed Greater Canyonlands Monument. However, earlier this month, the President announced the creation of three new national monuments, including the 704,000 acre Basin and Range National Monument in neighboring Nevada. This action nearly doubled the amount of land protected by the President under the Antiquities Act during his administration. Those concerned about the formation of the Greater Canyonlands National Monument are left to wonder whether this move by the President is signaling a shift in policy that may lead to the Monument’s eventual formation. Only time will tell.