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Report: Trump admin knew monuments allowed recreation

Erin Alberty

A redrock canyon with trees and a cliff in the background — Hammond Canyon is one of the parts of Bears Ears that has lost all federal protection under Trump's reduced boundaries. Photo: Tim Peterson, courtesy of Grand Canyon Trust

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration received briefings this summer from Utah officials who explained that Bears Ears National Monument allowed recreational access.

Why it matters: When Trump drastically reduced the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, he said it was to protect recreation that he inaccurately claimed was banned within their boundaries.

What they said: "You can't go hunting, you can't go fishing, you can't do anything, you can virtually not even walk on it," Trump said during the July announcement.

An Interior Department official affirmed, "That's exactly right, sir, so you are remedying that today."

Reality check: A month earlier, documents from Utah officials identified trails popular among hikers, backpackers and off-road vehicle drivers in Bears Ears, including routes that allow "motorized access deep into the area," the Times reported Monday.

Grand Staircase-Escalante also allows those activities in many places; the tightest restrictions are still in effect within Wilderness Study Areas.
The monument designations also didn't restrict hunting or fishing.

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Report: Trump admin knew monuments allowed recreation

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