Press Releases

LCV Statement on President Biden Restoring Protections for Three National Monuments

Oct 8, 2021

Courtnee Connon, 727-744-4163, courtnee_connon@lcv.org

Washington, D.C. — In response to the news that the Biden Administration will restore protections to three national monuments — Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts — the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from President Gene Karpinski:

“We are thrilled to see the Biden-Harris administration honor their commitment to restore protections for these sacred and majestic monuments — which President Trump unlawfully opened up for the benefit of big polluters and extractive industries. These actions are a critical first step toward the administration’s goal of conserving 30% of our lands and waters by 2030 to stem the climate and nature crises. We stand in solidarity with the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition who came together to advocate for the creation of the Bears Ears National Monument and celebrate this important step toward fulfilling their vision for safeguarding their sacred sites and ancestral lands. President Biden’s moves restore health and economic protections to the communities that live and work near these lands and waters and provide economic certainty to other communities that rely on national monuments to power their outdoor recreation and tourism businesses. Thank you to Secretary Haaland for her detailed review of the cultural, historical, and scientific importance of these national monuments. This is exactly the type of whole of government approach required to achieve racial justice, respect for Tribes, and address the climate crisis, while rebuilding a more equitable economy and creating good-paying jobs.”

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