Trump administration will consider redrawing boundaries of national monuments as part of energy push

The Trump administration is reviewing national monument boundaries to potentially expand U.S. energy production, with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordering a review by Feb. 18, raising concerns among conservation groups about shrinking or eliminating monuments like Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante in Utah. Trump previously reduced monument sizes, citing a “land grab,” while Biden restored protections; legal challenges remain unsettled. Burgum’s actions align with a push to unlock energy potential and economic development, drawing praise from oil industry groups but facing criticism from Democrats and environmentalists over the declaration of a national energy emergency and potential impact on culturally and geographically significant sites.

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