On April 26 President Donald Trump signed the Executive Order on the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act. The order directs the Department of the Interior to review all national monuments designated since January 1, 1996, to determine whether they meet the requirements and objectives of the Antiquities Act and whether they “appropriately balance the protection of landmarks, structures, and objects against the appropriate use of Federal lands and the effects on surrounding lands and communities.” This leaves wide latitude for removing protections for historic and cultural landscapes.

Beginning on May 11, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is accepting public comments on each monument. Written comments relating to the Bears Ears National Monument must be submitted before May 26, 2017.