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Trump reduces size of 2 national monuments in Utah as Republicans reshape land management
By Matthew Brown And Savannah Peters, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 13, 2026
· 5 min read
President Donald Trump on Monday sharply reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah, undoing protections established by his Democratic predecessors on public lands that are sacred among many Native Americans.Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in southern Utah have...
Key takeaway Trump, a Republican, issued proclamations under the Antiquities Act to reduce their size by about 90% each.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio , the reduction of national monuments in Utah may seem like a distant issue, but it has implications for local concerns about land management and conservation. As a city surrounded by natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, San Antonians understand the importance of preserving historic and archaeologically significant sites. The Trump administration's actions in Utah could set a precedent for how public lands are managed in Texas, potentially affecting local efforts to protect and conserve natural and cultural resources. Additionally, the controversy surrounding the reduction of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments highlights the need for greater consultation and cooperation between federal officials and local communities, including Native American tribes, in land management decisions. San Antonians should pay attention to how these developments unfold, as they may have repercussions for the management of public lands and cultural sites in Texas.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? President Donald Trump on Monday sharply reduced the size of two national monuments in Utah, undoing protections established by his Democratic predecessors on public lands that are sacred among many Native Americans.Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in southern Utah have...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matthew Brown And Savannah Peters, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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