Rep. Rob Bishop says he’s disappointed Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke didn’t recommend completely rescinding Bears Ears National Monument, but he’s confident that Zinke will come up with the “correct” map for the monument.
On Monday Zinke recommended that the 1.35 million acre monument be reduced in size, but stopped short of undoing the monument. Bishop tells E&E News he thinks whatever boundaries Zinke comes up with will be done “the right way.” Bishop also says he’s working on legislation to address management of Bears Ears.
“That is time-consuming,” Bishop said, “and that’s what I was freaking out [about], thinking that if he did something different than what he did, I would have to come up with a map.”
In the meantime, however, the chairman can focus on shepherding Bears Ears-related legislation through Congress — his ultimate goal. Zinke has said he wants Congress to weigh in on the Bears Ears site: The interim report asked lawmakers to establish co-management of the site with tribal nations, as well as to protect some portions of the monument as national recreation or conservation areas.
Bishop yesterday was eager to pursue such legislation. “The [legislative] language is ready,” he said.
None of the members of Utah’s Congressional delegation say they’re in a hurry to file legislation regarding Bears Ears following Zinke’s recommendation.
