WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Trump’s decision to shrink two national monuments in Utah (all times local): 7:40 p.m…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Trump’s decision to shrink two national monuments in Utah (all times local):
7:40 p.m.
Utah’s governor says he doesn’t know the specifics of President Donald Trump’s plan for two national monuments he seeks to shrink in Utah.
Gov. Gary Herbert says he expects the White House to protect local antiquities and give Native American tribes co-management authority at one site.
Herbert is among Utah Republican officials who have urged Trump to rescind Bears Ears National Monument and shrink Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Herbert says in a statement that Trump called him Friday afternoon to discuss the monuments shortly before the governor boarded a flight in Israel to return to the U. S. from a trade mission.
The governor says he believes from his conversation with the president that Trump will give tribes co-management of sacred tribal lands at Bears Ears.
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3:20 p.m.
A White House spokeswoman will not confirm reports that the president will shrink national monuments in Utah.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Friday she will not “get ahead of the president’s announcement.”
Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch said President Donald Trump called to say he will approve a recommendation from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments.
Sanders says Trump will go to Utah in early December and that the administration will release details “at that point, if not some before.”
Hatch’s office said Trump called the senator Friday and said, “I’m approving the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase recommendation for you, Orrin.”
Zinke recommended in September that the two Utah monuments be shrunk, along with Nevada’s Gold Butte and Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou.
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2:41 p.m.
President Donald Trump is shrinking two national monuments in Utah, following a recommendation by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke.
That’s the word Friday from Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch. The Republican senator said in a statement that he is “incredibly grateful” Trump called him to say he is approving Zinke’s recommendation on Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante national monuments.
Hatch said he and Trump “believe in the importance of protecting these sacred antiquities,” but said there is “a better way to do it” by working with local officials and tribes.
Hatch’s office said Trump called the senator Friday and said, “I’m approving the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase recommendation for you, Orrin.”
Zinke recommended in September that the two Utah monuments be shrunk, along with Nevada’s Gold Butte and Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou.
