John,
This week marks two years since the tragic decision to dramatically shrink two of our country’s most iconic National Monuments — Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, located in Utah.
John, I know you care about Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments as much as I do, which is why I need to ask you for help during this urgent time. Please sign this petition now to ensure the remaining National Monument lands are protected from destructive development and abuse.
Since that disheartening day two years ago, the Bureau of Land Management has developed plans to allow harmful resource extraction and off-road vehicle abuse for areas still protected under National Monument status. At the same time, the public lands carved out of the former National Monuments — such as the ancient Sand Island Petroglyph Panel in former Bears Ears (pictured below) — are now completely unprotected.
We should never have to fear attacks on our public lands — they should be preserved for generations to come. Yet, precious archeological and sacred sites in Utah are now at risk of looting and desecration, in addition to threats of drilling and mining by private corporations. With your help, we are working hard to pass legislation in Congress that would protect these special landscapes, but we only have a few days left to get Congress to act before they adjourn for the year.
John, your help is needed to protect our National Monuments. Take action now and urge your members of Congress to support the Bears Ears Expansion and Respect for Sovereignty Act, and the Antiquities Act of 2019 today.
The Bears Ears Expansion and Respect for Sovereignty Act (H.R. 871) proposes to expand Bears Ears to 1.9 million acres — restoring and adding protections for over 100,000 archeological and cultural sites that are currently at risk.
The Antiquities Act of 2019 (S. 367 and H.R. 1050) would protect National Monuments designated or expanded since 1996 and ensure that presidents cannot cut back or eliminate these special places without congressional approval.
National Monument lands are our lands, and we must see to it that they are protected for generations to come. Please sign now to help pass these bills to minimize long-term consequences for our National Monument landscapes.
Thank you,
Myke Bybee
Legislative Director, The Trust for Public Land
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