Local public land and national monument protections are under scrutiny from the Trump administration for potential mining and drilling sites.
Two southern Utah monuments are being looked at for potential sites, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
An executive order signed into effect by President Donald Trump Jan. 20 sought to roll back protections placed on public lands and national monuments against drilling and mining. The order, titled “Unleashing American Energy,” would advance the use of fossil fuel energy in America and decrease dependency on the import of fuels from other countries.
The reasoning, as stated in the executive order, is to expand American harvesting of natural resources on previously untouched land. The order stated a desire to create more jobs for the American people in these industries to help fight economic collapse.
However, Rachel Jensen, a senior environmental science major from South Jordan, said mining on these lands could mean habitat loss for wildlife and biodiversity loss.
“There would be a lot of wildlife displacement because these national monuments and public lands are critical habitats, especially for endangered species,” Jensen said.
Another potential limitation for mining on these lands is the amount of freshwater usage that it requires, and not only that but the pollution of water that occurs in toxic runoff from mining.
Water pollution from mining has historically affected Native populations on reservations. From 1891 up until the 1970s, Native lands were leased out and used as grounds for mining. These historical mining sites are now abandoned, but their negative impact on Native land and its water is still seen today.
Bears Ears, although not on a reservation, carries historical and spiritual significance for Native peoples. Greg Melton, assistant professor of geology, said mining on the land could have a big impact on land and people.
“One of the biggest concerns with Bears Ears is the effect it will have on Native peoples and the history and culture in that area,” Melton said. “The significance of that area to the Native people is being severely overlooked.”
Melton said he encourages people to take a look at the issue from both sides, the economic perspective and the environmental preservation perspective. He said it’s a complex issue where a balance between the economy and the environment should be created.
According to a 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, 76% of Utahns are in support of protecting national monuments over mining and drilling.
The want to mine and drill on previously protected lands is said to have the potential to create more jobs for the American worker, increase the harvest of natural resources on American soil and a generalized pro-industry attitude.
There are a number of potential environmental risks should the drilling and mining take place at these monuments. As of now though, there are no official orders to begin mining projects in the U.S.
