Repairing Trump damage

The Bears Ears National Monument, which was created by President Barack Obama shortly before he left office, will go back to 1.36 million acres, and Grand Staircase will be restored to 1.87 million acres. Both are in Utah.

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, off the New England coast, was established by Obama in 2016 as the first marine national monument in the Atlantic Ocean.

[...]

In 2017, then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order that dramatically downsized Bears Ears by 85% and cut Grand Staircase in half; it was the largest reversal of U.S. land monument protections in history.

  NPR

No doubt the fact that Obama created the monuments is why Trump downsized them in the first place. Surprisingly, he didn't just abolish them altogether. Something he might well do if he gets another crack at the presidency.

Another reason for his decision: they're sacred to native Americans.

Environmental and tribal leaders sued the Trump administration, but that lawsuit has been on hold since Biden issued an executive order in January to look further into the matter.

But Biden's decision may not prevent future lawsuits.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, has said his state would sue Biden if he restored the land unilaterally. Cox has instead advocated for handling the land's status through a bill in Congress. That way, it would avoid the back-and-forth of land ownership, especially if control of the White House changes.

Might not be a bad idea. But maybe that should be done regardless of land restoration.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.