This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It seems likely that diminishing the area of Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument would result in the filing of suits and court action in order to sustain the areal integrity of the monument.
Notably, previous attempts to eliminate or modify the Grand Staircase were dismissed as illegal. Thus, the current attempt to reduce or otherwise modify the Grand Staircase area by a minority of Utahns, including all Utah congressional office holders, suggests collusion with a willing president, the purpose being to benefit a few but at the expense of the majority.
The American public at large as well as Utahns have a stake in all national monuments regardless of state or statehood.
The rationale for establishing the Grand Staircase is well documented and incorporates benefits for agriculture, recreation, forestry, science, tourism and education. Which is to say the Grand Staircase designation recognizes the principle of multiple use.
And it rightly protects against potential abuse.
Actually reducing or modifying the area of one established national monument could well invite a willing president to act similarly against other national monuments.
Chuck Wullstein
Salt Lake City