The entire Utah congressional delegation, including Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Mike Lee (R-UT), Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and Mia Love (R-UT), as well as Gov. Gary Herbert issued the following joint statement today in opposition of a monument designation in Utah:
“We, the Congressional Delegation of the Great State of Utah, stand in solidarity with local Native Americans, the people of San Juan County and elected officials at the local, county and state levels of Utah government in opposition to the unilateral designation of the proposed Bears Ears national monument. The protection of our nation’s historic, cultural and natural resources is among the noblest of pursuits and we agree that this unique part of our state needs to be preserved. However, turning our backs on the democratic process to do so undermines who we are as Americans. We support a solution where local voices are not only heard, but integrated into public land management.”
