In Utah, the national monuments of Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears, as well as that of Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, in the Atlantic Ocean off Massachusetts, will return to their original dimensions. Joe Biden’s administration goes overturn decisions by Donald Trump to cut these three protected areas part of their area.
“By restoring these three ‘national monuments’ (…), President Biden fulfills a key promise and upholds the long-standing principle that America’s national parks, monuments and other protected areas must be protected forever and for everyone, ”the White House wrote in a statement.
Grand Staircase-Escalante will pass from about 4,000 km² to more than 7,500 km² and Bears Ears, reduced to 926 square kilometers, will even expand a little to reach a new total area of over 5,500 km². The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts aquatic area is also being restored. In addition, fishing for red crab and American lobster will be gradually reduced there until it is banned on September 15, 2023, assured the White House.
According to the American press, this decree will be signed on Friday by Joe Biden. The american president thus protects the balance sheet of its Democratic predecessors Barack Obama, who created the Bears Ears monument in 2016, and Bill Clinton, who created Grand Staircase-Escalante in 1996. Donald Trump’s decision to reduce these three protected areas outraged the Native American tribes concerned and defenders of the environment.
