U.S. monuments at risk under Trump

President Donald Trump’s executive order to review environmental protections on federal lands, as part of a plan to increase development, threatens 27 American national monuments

1 Bears Ears, UTAH. 5,463km²
Designated by President Obama in 2016. Home to around 100,000 archaeological sites, on land considered sacred to number of tribes. Utah Republican leaders say it restricts possible gas, oil
and mining development

2 Giant Sequoia, CALIFORNIA. 1,326km². President Clinton, 2000. Protects 34 groves of ancient
giant sequoias – world’s largest tree species. Timber interest groups and recreation groups pushing to reverse designation or reduce size

3 Northeast Canyons and Seamounts, ATLANTIC OCEAN. 12,720km². Obama, 2016. First marine national monument in Atlantic, important habitat for whales and sea turtles. Commercial fishing groups have filed lawsuit to overturn designation

4 Grand Staircase-Escalante, UTAH. 7,609.96km². Clinton, 1996. Preserves scenic cliffs, canyons,
waterfalls and arches. Opponents argue designation closed off too many areas to development — including one of largest known U.S. coal reserves

5 Papahanaumokuakea, PACIFIC OCEAN. 1,510,000km². President G.W. Bush, 2006 – quadrupled in size by Obama in 2016. Larger than all national parks combined, includes abundant and rare wildlife. Extension opposed by local fishing industry


UNITED STATES

National Monuments

Marine NM

PACIFIC

ATLANTIC OCEAN

1 2 3 4 5


Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service

Pictures: AP, Getty Images

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