In early June 2024, the National Trust for Historic Preservation submitted formal comments on the proposed Resource Management Plan for the Bears Ears National Monument.

The National Trust has long advocated for the protection of Bears Ears National Monument, and in 2014, Bears Ears was added to our National Treasures program, and in 2016, we included it in our list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places – highlighting the need for greater protection of this remarkable cultural landscape.

The Trust played a key role in advocating for its designation as a national monument, celebrating its 2016 designation and opposing subsequent attempts to shrink the size of the monument. We strongly supported President Biden's 2021 reaffirmation of the monument's full designation and have actively participated in litigation to uphold it.

In the letter, we endorse Alternative E as the final Resource Management Plan for Bears Ears, given that this alternative incorporates traditional Indigenous knowledge in the management plan and is a crucial component of conserving the monument's ecological and cultural resources.

This approach aligns with the recent policy statement on Indigenous Knowledge and Historic Preservation adopted by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

We urge the inclusion of this policy in the final Management Plan, emphasizing the importance of involving Tribal leaders in co-management.

This includes adopting Tribal definitions for culturally significant objects and resources and developing a travel management plan that respects visitor needs and Indigenous communities' spiritual practices.

We remain committed to protecting Bears Ears and look forward to continuing to preserve this national treasure.