Sen. Lee’s attempt to overturn Grand Staircase-Escalante land use plan fails in Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An effort led by Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy to overturn the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument management plan expired in the Senate last week, preserving the current plan, which was shaped through years of engagement with Tribal Nations and local communities.

In response to this news, Axie Navas, director of designation campaigns at The Wilderness Society, said:

"Grand Staircase-Escalante is a national treasure that gives people the freedom to experience the greatness of our public lands. From efforts to sell off our public lands to his latest attempt to tear up the Grand Staircase-Escalante land use plan, Sen. Lee continues to push an agenda that is fundamentally out of step with what the public wants for these special places. Americans have made clear time and time again: we want our public lands protected now and for future generations."

The monument management plan provides a blueprint for the oversight of resources on the nearly 1.9-million-acre national monument in Southern Utah. This includes responsible management of fragile watersheds, wildlife habitats, cultural resources, native vegetation, geological features and recreational access to ensure the landscape remains healthy and people have the freedom to enjoy it for generations to come.

An overwhelming majority of Americans want to see our national monuments protected, with three in four Utah voters wanting to retain Grand Staircase-Escalante's national monument status. This strong public support is reflected in the monument plan itself. Finalized in 2025, the plan was developed through a years-long collaborative planning process, which involved input from Tribal Nations, state and local governments, local communities and the public.

While the attempt to overturn the Grand Staircase-Escalante land use plan has failed, advocates say it’s part of a broader strategy to undermine protections for national monuments. That attempt alone reinforces the need for continued public engagement to ensure our national monuments remain protected and that their management plans remain intact.

For media inquiries, contact Keri Gilliland at kgilliland@tws.org.