National Monuments

Secretary Ryan Zinke of the Department of Interior is undertaking an unprecedented review of 27 national monuments established by presidents from both parties since 1996, including the Organ Mountains/Desert Peaks near Las Cruces, Rio Grande del Norte near Taos, and Bears Ears in Utah. More than 11 million acres of national public land are at stake.

The Department of the Interior has opened public comment on the review of these national monuments.  They have also extended the public comment period (originally closed on 6/9) for Bears Ears until July 10th.  Here are several links to help you better understand the situation and to easily get your comments into the public record.

https://www.abqjournal.com/1017513/nm-must-speak-up-again-for-its-livelihood.html	If there’s one reason Zinke and Trump will not resend these 27 National Monuments, its the economic one.   Here’s the letter to the editor of the Journal from five New Mexico mayors.
http://blog.rei.com/stewardship/protect-public-lands/	REI has made it easy to fill out a form with your original message and have it submitted to the Dept. of Interior.  Use this link if you want to write your comments from scratch.
https://bearsearscoalition.org/action/	The Bears Ears Coalition has a similar form but with prepared text that you can customize or add to.  Use this link if you need a pre-written starting point.
https://modernhiker.com/how-to-comment-on-trumps-national-monument-review	Modern Hiker has a very complete piece listing all the National Monuments under review and (if you scroll down a ways) tips on writing in support of our public spaces.  For those interested in the complete picture.
https://www.outsideonline.com/2193091/6-best-comments-people-gave-trump-about-bears-ears	Finally, here are six comments that Outside Magazine chose as exemplars in stating their case.  For outstanding personal accounts used as comments.

Whatever your thoughts, take a few moments and get your position into the public record. Remember, July 10th is both the extended deadline for Bears Ears comments and comments for the other 26 National Monuments under this unprecedented review.