More Than 300 Western Leaders Call on Trump Administration and Congress to Protect, Fully Fund Our Public Lands
The Mountain Pact and more than 300 current and former Western local elected officials, including mayors, county commissioners, and city council members, sent a letter to the Trump Administration and Congressional offices on March 26, 2025 urgently calling for a more balanced approach to the management of our public lands; calling on them to oppose the sale of public lands in the Budget Reconciliation Package; and asking them to reject any attempts to change the Antiquities Act or reduce the size of our national monuments.
LETTER
March 26, 2025
To: Members of Congress
CC: Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
As local elected officials from across the Western U.S., we know firsthand that protected public lands sustain our communities and serve as the cornerstone of our outdoor way of life. These lands include traditional homelands of Indigenous populations and vital watersheds for downstream communities. They also host outstanding fish and wildlife habitat and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, including camping, hiking, paddling, hunting and fishing, and picnicking. Protected public lands are the backbone of our mountain communities, and right now they are under threat, which is why we must fight back to ensure these critical resources are protected and preserved for generations to come.
Public lands are a Major Driver for our Economies. A recent report from the National Park Service found that visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a record high $55.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 415,400 jobs last year. A 2020 study of communities near 14 monuments designated between 1991 and 2014 demonstrated that boosts in new businesses and jobs were associated with new monuments. Protected public lands, including national monuments, create jobs, enhance communities, and help boost local outdoor recreation economies which contributed 2.3 percent ($639.5 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) for the nation in 2023.
Protected Public Lands are Popular. Protected public lands have overwhelming support from both the public and local elected officials. According to a 2023 Conservation in the West Poll, 84% of Westerners - including 71% of Republicans - are more likely to support presidents who use their power to protect existing public lands. Similarly, the 2024 poll found that 85 percent support creating new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges and Tribal protected areas to protect historic sites or areas for outdoor recreation.
Public Lands have Bi-partisan Support. Protecting these places is also a winning issue on both sides of the aisle. Since the Antiquities Act was passed, 18 presidents - nine Democratic and nine Republican - have designated or expanded over 160 national monuments across the country. These presidents exercised their authority under the Antiquities Act, created many iconic and beloved monuments, including the Statue of Liberty, Giant Sequoia, Muir Woods, Great Sand Dunes, and Chimney Rock, among others.
The important role public lands play in our lives cannot be overstated. But our cherished public lands are facing dire threats - from the Trump administration; lawmakers working to transfer control to the states and potential resulting privatization; a proposal from House Budget Committee majority staff to sell off public lands to pay for other priorities in the budget reconciliation process; attempts to change the Antiquities Act; increased development; and dire climate change impacts.
Mountain communities depend on healthy and accessible public lands to survive. But increased fossil fuel development on public lands, weakened environmental regulations, and fast tracking or eliminating environmental reviews for proposed projects jeopardizes both our public lands and public health while contributing to the climate crisis by causing the release of vast amounts of potent greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel extraction on public lands generates nearly 25 percent of the United States’ climate change causing emissions. These emissions directly affect our Western mountain communities as we deal with dire, long-term, and costly health and climate impacts like the release of harmful methane gas, year-long wildfire seasons, drought, flooding, and extreme weather.
Yet, we know that opening more lands and waters for oil drilling won’t lower energy prices and the United States is currently producing more oil than at any point in history. Rather, by protecting our public lands and reducing oil and gas leasing, we can mitigate the climate crisis that is significantly impacting our communities, local farmers and ranchers, our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and overall public health and well-being.
We, as Western local elected officials, are tasked with finding creative solutions to the many challenges that come with the ever-increasing popularity of our public lands, our growing infrastructure needs, and the devastating and expensive impacts of climate change. We know that our public lands play a critical role in our way of life and help make the communities where we live what they are, while contributing to a healthier and better tomorrow for future generations.
A balanced approach to public lands management for the West, as well as increased funding to manage these lands, would improve access and help protect some of our most important wildlife habitat, migration corridors, treasured recreation areas, critical water resources, and Indigenous cultural sites.
Now more than ever we must continue to take and support meaningful actions to both address the climate crisis and protect our public lands. We urge you to continue to support the protection of healthy public lands and take strong climate action.
We ask you to fully fund our public lands, oppose the sale of public lands in the Budget Reconciliation Package, and oppose any attempts to change the Antiquities Act or reduce the size of our national monuments.
Sincerely,
Chair of the County Board of Supervisors Judy Begay, Coconino County, Arizona
Vice Chair of the County Board of Supervisors Patrice Horstman, Coconino County, Arizona
County Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez, Coconino County, Arizona
County Supervisor Lena Fowler, Coconino County, Arizona
County Supervisor Tammy Ontiveros, Coconino County, Arizona
Mayor Becky Daggett, City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Vice Mayor Austin Aslan, City of Flagstaff, Arizona
Vice Mayor Michael Stabile, Town of Patagonia, Arizona
County Supervisor, District 3 Jennifer Allen, Pima County, Arizona
Vice-Chair County Board of Supervisors Adelita S Grijalva, Pima County, Arizona
County Recorder Gabriella Cázares-Kelly, Pima County, Arizona
County Attorney (D.A.) Laura Conover, Pima County, Arizona
Chair of the County Board of Supervisors Rex Scott, Pima County, Arizona
Vice Mayor & Ward 1 Council Member Lane R. Santa Cruz, City of Tucson, Arizona
Council Member Kevin Dahl, City of Tucson, Arizona
Mayor Clarinda Vail, Town of Tusayan, Arizona
County Supervisor Nikki Check, Yavapai County, Arizona
Chairman of the County Board of supervisors Martin Porchas, Yuma County, Arizona
Former Mayor and Council Member Randall Putz, City of Big Bear Lake, California
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Gardner City of Desert Hot Springs, California
Council Member Waymond Fermon, City of Indio, California
Supervisor, 2nd District Jeff Griffiths, Inyo County, California
Council Member Lorraine Avila-Moore City of Lynwood, California
Mayor Christine Bubser, Town of Mammoth Lakes, California
Mayor Pro Tem Amanda Rice, Town of Mammoth Lakes, California
City Council Member John Wentworth, Town of Mammoth Lakes, California
City Council Member Nina Tarnay, City of Manhattan Beach, California
Supervisor, District 5 Hardy Bullock Nevada County, California
Council Member Evan Trubee, Palm Desert, California
Supervisor, District 5 Cindy Gustafson, Placer County, California
Council Member Natalya Zernitskaya, City of Santa Monica, California
Mayor Jan Zabriskie, Town of Truckee, California
Vice Mayor Anna Klovstad, Town of Truckee, California
Council Member & Former Mayor Dr. Courtney Henderson, Town of Truckee, California
Council Member David Polivy, Town of Truckee, California
Colorado Speaker of the State House of Representatives Julie McCluskie, Colorado
Colorado State Senator Dylan Roberts, Colorado Senate District 8, Colorado
Colorado State Senator Mike Weissman, State Senate District 28, Colorado
Colorado State Senator Judy Amabile, SD-18, Boulder, Colorado
Colorado State Representative Meghan Lukens, House District 26, Colorado
Colorado State Representative HD57 Elizabeth Velasco Garfield, Eagle and Pitkin counties, Colorado
County Commissioner Kathy Henson, Adams County, Colorado
County Commissioner, District 1 Carrie Warren-Gully, Arapahoe County, Colorado
Mayor Torre, City of Aspen, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem John Doyle, City of Aspen, Colorado
Council Member Ward Hauenstein, City of Aspen, Colorado
Council Member Ruth Stanley, Town of Avon, Colorado
Council Member Lindsay Hardy, Town of Avon, Colorado
ormer Mayor Sarah Smith Hymes, Town of Avon, Colorado
Mayor David Knight, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Council Member Angela Anderson Ward, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Council Member Angele Dupre-Butchart, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Council Member Hannah Berman Town of Basalt, Colorado
Former Council Member William Infante, Town of Basalt, Colorado
Mayor Nick Decicco, Town of Blue River, Colorado
Trustee Jonathon Heckman, Town of Blue River, Colorado
Trustee Noah Hopkins, Town of Blue River, Colorado
Trustee Ted Slaughter, Town of Blue River, Colorado
Trustee Barrie Stimson, Town of Blue River, Colorado
Trustee Ben Stuckey, Town of Blue River, Colorado
Trustee Jodie Willey, Town of Blue River, Colorado
County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann, Boulder County, Colorado
County Commissioner Marta Loachamin Boulder County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Elise Jones, Boulder County, Colorado
Mayor Aaron Brockett, City of Boulder, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts, City of Boulder, Colorado
Council Member Taishya Adams, City of Boulder, Colorado
Former Mayor Suzanne Jones, City of Boulder, Colorado
Mayor Kelly Owens, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Dick Carleton, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Council Member Marika Page, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Council Member Todd Rankin, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Town Manager Shannon Haynes, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Council Member Carol Saade, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Council Member, Jay Beckerman Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Council Member Stephen Gerard, Town of Breckenridge, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Deven Shaff, City and County of Broomfield, Colorado
Council Member Paloma Delgadillo, City of Broomfield, Colorado
Trustee Michal Rosener, Town of Buena Vista, Colorado
Trustee Chris Hassig, Town of Carbondale, Colorado
Trustee Colin Laird, Town of Carbondale, Colorado
County Commissioner PT Wood, Chaffee County, Colorado
County Commissioner District 2 David Armstrong, Chaffee County, Colorado
County Commissioner Gina Lucrezi, Chaffee County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Keith Baker, Chaffee County, Colorado
County Commissioner Jodie Hartman-Ball, Clear Creek County, Colorado
County Commissioner George Marlin, Clear Creek County, Colorado
Council Member Gabi Prochaska, Town of Crested Butte, Colorado
Council Member Beth Goldstone, Town of Crested Butte, Colorado
Council Member Flor Alvidrez, City and County of Denver, Colorado
Mayor Carolyn Skowyra, Town of Dillon, Colorado
Mayor Jessika Buell, City of Durango, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Gilda Yazzie, City of Durango, Colorado
Council Member Dave Woodruff, City of Durango, Colorado
County Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney, Eagle County, Colorado
County Commissioner Tom Boyd, Eagle County, Colorado
County Commissioner Matt Scherr, Eagle County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Kathy Chandler-Henry, Eagle County, Colorado
Council Member Geoffrey Grimmer, Town of Eagle, Colorado
Town Trustee Frank Lancaster, Town of Estes Park, Colorado
Council Member Tricia Canonico, City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Council Member Susan Gutowsky, City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Mayor Brian Cerkvenik Town of Fraser, Colorado
Trustee Julie White, Town of Fraser, Colorado
Mayor Rick Ihnken, Town of Frisco, Colorado
Council Member Daniel Kibbie, Town of Frisco, Colorado
Former Mayor Hunter Mortensen, Town of Frisco, Colorado
County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, Gilpin County, Colorado
County Commissioner Susan Berumen, Gilpin County, Colorado
County Commissioner Jeff Aiken, Gilpin County, Colorado
Mayor Ingrid Wussow, City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Council Member Sumner Schachter, City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Council Member Jonathan Godes, City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Mayor Laura Weinberg, City of Golden, Colorado
Council Member, Ward 3 Don Cameron, City of Golden, Colorado
Council Member Patty Evans, City of Golden, Colorado
Mayor Abram Herman, City of Grand Junction, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Randall Reitz, City of Grand Junction, Colorado
Council Member and Former Mayor Anna Stout, City of Grand Junction, Colorado
Council Member Jason Nguyen, City of Grand Junction, Colorado
Council Member Scott Beilfuss, City of Grand Junction, Colorado
County Commissioner Laura Daniels, Gunnison County, Colorado
County Commissioner Jonathan D. Houck Gunnison County, Colorado
Mayor Diego Plata, City of Gunnison, Colorado
County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour Jefferson County, Colorado
Council Member Jonathan Hagenow, Town of Keystone, Colorado
County Commissioner Elsa Tharp, Lake County, Colorado
County Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton, La Plata County, Colorado
County Commissioner Matt Salka, La Plata County, Colorado
County Commissioner Clyde Church, La Plata County, Colorado
Tourism and Economic Development Director Adam Ducharme, Lake County, Colorado
County Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally, Larimer County, Colorado
County Commissioner John Kefalas, Larimer County, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Tharp, City of Leadville, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Susie Hidalgo-Fahring City of Longmont, Colorado
Council Member Shiquita Yarbrough, City of Longmont, Colorado
Mayor Hollie Rogin, Town of Lyons, Colorado
Trustee Glen Delman, Town of Lyons, Colorado
Council Member Judith Chandler, Manitou Springs, Colorado
Mayor Martinique Prohaska, Mountain Village, Colorado
Mayor Billy Giblin, Town of Nederland, Colorado
Trustee and former Mayor Kristopher Larsen, Town of Nederland, Colorado
Mayor Andrew Ward Town of Ophir, Colorado
Former Mayor Corinne Platt, Town of Ophir, Colorado
County Commissioner Michelle Nauer, Ouray County, Colorado
County Commissioner Jake Niece, Ouray County
Trustee Sarah Matchett, Town of Palisade, Colorado
County Commissioner Greg Poschman, Pitkin County, Colorado
County Commissioner Francie Jacober, Pitkin County, Colorado
Mayor John I. Clark, Town of Ridgway, Colorado
Council Member Beth Lakin, Town of Ridgway, Colorado
Council Member Polly Kroger, Town of Ridgway, Colorado
Council Member Terry Schuyler, Town of Ridgway, Colorado
County Commissioner Sonja Macys, Routt County, Colorado
County Commissioner Angelica Salinas, Routt County, Colorado
Mayor Dan Shore, City of Salida, Colorado
Council Member Alisa Pappenfort, City of Salida, Colorado
Council Member Dominique Naccarato, City of Salida, Colorado
Council Member Wayles Martin City of Salida, Colorado
Council Member Aaron Stephens, City of Salida, Colorado
County Commissioner Scott Fetchenhier, San Juan County, Colorado
County Commissioner Anne Brown, San Miguel County, Colorado
County Commissioner Lance Waring, San Miguel County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Joan May, San Miguel County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Carmen Tucker, San Miguel County, Colorado
Former Mayor and Council Member and Former County Commissioner Amy Levek, Town of Telluride and San Miguel County
Former County Commissioner Linda Luther-Broderick, 1984-1989, San Miguel County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Art Goodtimes, San Miguel County, Colorado
Former County Commissioner Kris Holstrom, San Miguel County
Council Member Britta Gustafson, Town of Snowmass Village, Colorado
Council Member Susan Marolt, Town of Snowmass Village, Colorado
President of City Council Gail Garey, City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado
City Council Pro Tem Joella West, City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado
County Commissioner Eric Mamula, Summit County, Colorado
County Commissioner Nina Waters, Summit County, Colorado
County Commissioner Tamara Pogue, Summit County Colorado
Former County Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier, Summit County, Colorado
Council Member Neal Shah, Town of Superior, Colorado
Council Member Jenn Kaaoush, Town of Superior, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem J. Meehan Fee, Town of Telluride, Colorado
Council Member Ashley Story Von Spreecken, Town of Telluride, Colorado
Council Member Dan Enright, Town of Telluride, Colorado
Former Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Todd Brown, Town of Telluride, Colorado
Mayor Travis Coggin, Town of Vail, Colorado
Council Member Jonathan Staufer, Town of Vail, Colorado
Council Member Pete Seibert, Town of Vail, Colorado
Council Member Samantha Biszantz, Town of Vail, Colorado
Council Member Dave Chapin, Town of Vail, Colorado
Former Mayor Kim Langmaid, Town of Vail, Colorado
Mayor Nick Kutrumbos, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Hughes, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
Council Member Jeremy Henn, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
Council Member Michael Periolat, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
Council Member Riley McDonough, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
Council Member Art Ferrari, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
Council Member Rebecca Kaufman, Town of Winter Park, Colorado
County Commissioner Angenie McCleary, Blaine County, Idaho
County Commissioner Muffy Davis, Blaine County, Idaho
Former Mayor Hyrum Johnson, City of Driggs, Idaho
Council President Kaz Thea, City of Hailey, Idaho
Council Member Dustin Stone, Town of Hailey, Idaho
Council Member Courtney Hamilton, City of Ketchum, Idaho
Council Member Tripp Hutchinson, City of Ketchum, Idaho
County Commissioner Michael Whitfield, Teton County, Idaho
Former County Commissioner Bob Heneage, Teton County, Idaho
Retired Mayor Chuck Tooley, City of Billings, Montana
Mayor Terry Cunningham, City of Bozeman, Montana
Deputy Mayor Joseph Morrison, City of Bozeman, Montana
Former Mayor Randy Gray, City of Great Falls, Montana
Commissioner Shannon Wilson, City of Great Falls, Montana
Mayor Wilmot Collins, City of Helena, Montana
Mayor Pro Tem & City Commissioner Emily Dean, City of Helena, Montana
City Commissioner Andy Shirtliff, City of Helena, Montana
County Commissioner Juanita Vero, Missoula County, Montana
County Commissioner Josh Slotnick, Missoula County, Montana
Mayor Andrea Davis, City of Missoula, Montana
Council President Amber Sherrill, City of Missoula, Montana
Council Member Eric Melson, City of Missoula, Montana
Council Member, Ward 3 Daniel Carlino, City of Missoula, Montana
Council Member Kristen Jordan, City of Missoula, Montana
Council Member, Ward 3 Gwen Jones, City of Missoula, Montana
Council Member Mirtha Becerra, City of Missoula, Montana
Speaker of the Nevada Assembly Steve Yeager, District 9, Clark County, Nevada
Assembly Majority Leader Sandra Jauregui, District 41, Clark County, Nevada
Assembly Majority Whip Howard Watts, District 15, Clark County, Nevada
State Senator Julie Pazina, District 12, Clark County, Nevada
Assemblymember Venicia Considine, District 18, Clark County, Nevada
County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, Clark County, Nevada
State Senator Angie Taylor, District 15, Washoe County, Nevada
Assemblymember Selena La Rue Hatch, District 25, Washoe County, Nevada
Assemblymember Natha Anderson, District 30, Washoe County, Nevada
County Commissioner Alexis Hill, Washoe County, Nevada
President Beth Smith, Washoe County School District, Nevada
Council Member Devon Reese, City of Reno, Nevada
Council Member Miguel Martinez, City of Reno, Nevada
Council Member Joe Rodriguez, City of Sparks, Nevada
Mayor Timothy M. Keller, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Council Member, District 7 Tammy Fiebelkorn, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Council Member Becky Corran Las Cruces, New Mexico
Council Member Cassie McClure, City of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Former Council Member, Mayor Pro Tem and Supervisor, DASWCD, Gill Sorg, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Mayor Russell Hernandez, Town of Mesilla, New Mexico
County Commissioner Hank Hughes, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
County Commissioner Camilla Bustamante, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Former County Commissioner Anna Hansen, Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Mayor Alan Webber, City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
County Commissioner District 5 and Chairman Ronald J Mascarenas, Penasco, Taos County New Mexico
County Commissioner AnJanette Brush, Taos County, New Mexico
County Commissioner Darlene Vigil, Taos County, New Mexico
Council Member Genevieve Oswald, Town of Taos, New Mexico
Council Member Corilia Ortega, Town of Taos, New Mexico
Council Member Darien Fernandez, Town of Taos, New Mexico
Mayor Tonya Graham, City of Ashland, Oregon
Council Member Bob Kaplan, City of Ashland, Oregon
Mayor Melanie Kebler, City of Bend, Oregon
Council Member Mike Riley, City of Bend, Oregon
Council MemberSteve Platt, City of Bend, Oregon
Council Member Ariel Méndez, City of Bend, Oregon
Former Bend Mayor Sally Russell, City of Bend, Oregon
County Commissioner Phil Chang, Deschutes County, Oregon
County Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer, Hood River County, Oregon
Council MemberAmanda Goeke, City of Hood River, Oregon
County Commissioner, District 3 Laurie Trieger, Lane County, Oregon
Council President Will Anderson, City of Milwaukie, Oregon
Council Member Paul Tigan, City of Salem, Oregon
Mayor Roger Bourke, Town of Alta, Utah
Former Council Member Margaret Bourke, Town Of Alta, Utah
Mayor Ann K. Leppanen, Town of Bluff, Utah
Mayor Pro Tem Britt Hornsby, Town of Bluff, Utah
Council Member Pamela Gibson, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
Council Member Robert O'Brien, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
Council Member Tory Hill, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
Council Member Harry Holland, Town of Castle Valley, Utah
County Commissioner Trisha Hedin, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Jacques Hadler, Grand County, Utah
County Commissioner Mary McGann, Grand County, Utah
Former County Commissioner Kevin Walker, Grand County, Utah
Former City Council Member Kalen Jones, City of Moab, Utah
Council Member Kaitlin Myers, City of Moab, Utah
Mayor Pam Leach, Town of Rockville, Utah
Council Member M. Honer-Orton, Town of Rockville, Utah
Council Member Robin Smith, Town of Rockville, Utah
Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Salt Lake City, Utah
Mayor Barbara Bruno, Town of Springdale, Utah
Council Member Kyla Topham, Town of Springdale, Utah
Council member Jack Burns, Town of Springdale, Utah
Council Member Randy Aton, Town of Springdale, Utah
Former Council Member Lisa Zumpft, Town of Springdale, Utah
Former Council Member Louise Excell, Town of Springdale, Utah
Former Council Member Suzanne Elger, Town of Springdale, Utah
Former Council Member Eric Bonner, Town of Springdale, Utah
County Councilor Megan McKenna, Summit County, Utah
Council Member Michael Lilliquist, City of Bellingham, Washington
Council Member Sonia Hury, City of Blaine, Washington
Mayor Pro Tem Sean Smith, City of Covington, Washington
Council Member Jennifer Harjehausen, City of Covington, Washington
Council Member Elizabeth Porter, City of Covington, Washington
Council Member Susan Paine, City of Edmonds, Washington
Mayor Steven Yarbrough, City of Gold Bar, Washington
Council Member Marli Larimer, City of Kent, Washington
Council Member Position 4 MaryLee Chamberlain, Town of La Conner, Washington
Mayor Carl Florea, City of Leavenworth, Washington
Council Member Michael Bedard, City of Leavenworth, Washington
Mayor Pro Tem Anne Hessburg, City of Leavenworth, Washington
Council Member Zeke Reister, City of Leavenworth, Washington
Council Member Shane Thayer, City of Leavenworth, Washington
Council Member Craig Reynolds, Mercer Island, Washington
Council Member Tami Beaumont, City of Monroe, Washington
Mayor Katy Kinney Harris, Yarrow Point, Washington
Council Member Julia Stuble, City of Lander, Wyoming
Former Mayor Pete Muldoon, Town of Jackson, Wyoming
County Commissioner Vice Chairman Wes Gardner Teton County, Wyoming
MEDIA COVERAGE
MEDIA RELEASE
March 26, 2025
More Than 300 Western Leaders Call on Trump Administration and Congress to Protect, Fully Fund Our Public Lands
“We ask you to fully fund our public lands, oppose the sale of public lands in the Budget Reconciliation Package, and oppose any attempts to change the Antiquities Act or reduce the size of our national monuments.”
DURANGO, CO - More than 300 current and former Western local elected officials, including mayors, county commissioners, and city council members, today sent a letter to the Trump Administration and Congressional offices urgently calling for a more balanced approach to the management of our public lands; calling on them to oppose the sale of public lands in the Budget Reconciliation Package; and asking them to reject any attempts to change the Antiquities Act or reduce the size of our national monuments.
“Local elected officials know firsthand that protected public lands sustain our communities, power our economies, and serve as the cornerstone of our outdoor way of life,” said Anna Peterson, executive director of The Mountain Pact. “Protected public lands are the backbone of our mountain communities - but right now they are under threat. That’s why The Mountain Pact and more than 300 local elected leaders from across the Western U.S. are fighting back, so we can ensure these critical resources are protected and preserved for generations to come.”
The local officials also called on President Trump and Congress to increase support for public land management which would improve access and help protect some of our most important wildlife habitat, migration corridors, treasured recreation areas, critical water resources, and Indigenous cultural sites.
The letter comes as the Trump Administration has made several moves to decrease funding and staffing for public lands, including at National Parks and key scientific agencies like the EPA and NOAA. Last month, Secretary Burgum issued secretarial orders targeting America’s national monuments and positioning drilling and mining interests as the favored users of America’s public lands. Trump has also fired thousands of employees and slashed millions in funding from public land agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and waged an all-out assault on renewable energy in favor of more drilling and resource extraction.
“Mountain communities depend on healthy and accessible public lands to survive,” the leaders wrote in their letter. “But increased fossil fuel development on public lands, weakened environmental regulations, and fast tracking or eliminating environmental reviews for proposed projects jeopardizes both our public lands and public health while contributing to the climate crisis by causing the release of vast amounts of potent greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Now more than ever we must continue to take and support meaningful actions to both address the climate crisis and protect our public lands. We urge you to continue to support the protection of healthy public lands and take strong climate action. We ask you to fully fund our public lands, oppose the sale of public lands in the Budget Reconciliation Package, and oppose any attempts to change the Antiquities Act or reduce the size of our national monuments.”
Protected public lands are important economic drivers for Western communities. A recent report from the National Park Service found that “325 million park visitors spent an estimated $26.4 billion in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands across the country. These expenditures supported a total of 415 thousand jobs, $19.4 billion in labor income, $32.0 billion in value added, and $55.6 billion in economic output in the national economy.” It’s been reported that the agency was asked not to report on these numbers by President Trump.
The threat to national monuments is pressing: on March 14, a White House fact sheet said Trump had signed an executive order that terminated proclamations declaring two new national monuments designated in the waning days of the Biden Administration, Sáttítla Highlands and Chuckwalla. However, the line disappeared by the afternoon of March 15, and the final status of these new monuments remains uncertain.
Polling has consistently shown protections for public lands hold overwhelming support from both the public and local elected officials. According to the 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, 72 percent of Western voters oppose removing protections on existing national public lands to allow more drilling and mining. The same poll found that 85 percent of voters in the West – including 74 percent of Republicans, 87 percent of Independents, and 96 percent of Democrats – say issues involving clean water, clean air, wildlife and public lands are important in deciding whether to support an elected official.
Similarly, national monuments that maintain public access to public lands and protect ecosystems and wildlife for future generations are also exceptionally popular with the American people. The same poll found that more than four-in-five western voters support the creation of additional public lands like national monuments, and that 89 percent of Westerners believe existing national monuments protected over the last decade should be kept in place.
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QUOTES
ARIZONA
Coconino County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Patrice Horstman said, “Coconino County is home to Grand Canyon National Park, the gem of our national parks and a natural wonder of the world. Our parks are economic drivers for surrounding communities, as more than 5 million people from around the world visit the Grand Canyon each year, bringing $1 billion in economic output to northern Arizona communities. As we head into peak tourism this spring and summer, the chaos the Trump Administration is causing at our national parks threatens to put that all at risk. We understand that taxpayer money must be well spent - but reckless, haphazard firings and defundings will only hurt priceless places like the Grand Canyon. I urge President Trump to be more thoughtful and responsible, and to protect the public lands and national parks that so many communities like ours depend on to thrive.”
Pima County, Arizona Board of Supervisors Chair Rex Scott said, “Arizonans cherish our public lands - they are crucial to the economic and cultural health of many Western communities, including here in Pima County. Shrinking, selling off, or defunding public lands is simply unacceptable. We need a more balanced, thoughtful approach that takes the needs of our communities into consideration.”
Town of Tusayan, Arizona Mayor Clarinda Vail said, “Tusayan is home to some of the most incredible and unique landscapes on earth like the Grand Canyon and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which bring thousands of visitors and millions of dollars into our community each year while supporting more than 10,000 local jobs. Our community has cherished these lands for generations, and our ancestors have called this place home since time immemorial. The public lands that make this place so special are the very lifeblood of Tusayan, and must be protected so that the following generations can continue to benefit and enjoy this priceless ecosystem for years to come.”
CALIFORNIA
Nevada County, California Supervisor Hardy Bullock said, “Sufficient funding and thoughtful management are key to successfully balancing conservation, access, and enjoyment of our public lands. By gutting our public land agencies and starving them of resources, the Trump Administration is putting our most cherished public spaces at risk. Make no mistake: if these actions aren’t reversed, our communities will face severe consequences. I urge President Trump to stand up for our public lands before it’s too late.”
Town of Truckee, California, Mayor Jan Zabriskie said, “Our town council rarely involves itself in federal matters, but we have unanimously adopted resolutions expressing our strong opposition to recent federal funding and staffing cuts affecting public lands and essential services. Our community is surrounded by the national forest. The funding cuts and staffing reductions put our local economy and safety at risk. Our community members are deeply concerned about federal wildfire responses, campground closures, reduced monitoring of dispersed campfires, the availability and cost of property insurance, tourism impacts, and reduced services on public lands. We oppose the funding and staffing cuts for public lands and urge the federal administration to reverse course.”
City of Desert Hot Springs Mayor Pro Tem Gary Gardner said, “The recently designated Chuckwalla National Monument will provide even more opportunities for people to access the outdoors, as well as protect our beautiful deserts. Outdoor recreation and access to our gorgeous desert lands are one of the primary drivers of our tourism based economy and are part of what makes living here so special. By creating Chuckwalla National Monument, Coachella Valley has world-class access to national monuments and national parks - we are very lucky."
Mammoth Lakes Town Council Member John Wentworth said, “Mammoth Lakes, California is a gateway to the Eastern Sierra, one of thousands of landscapes nationwide that define who we are as Americans. We are a vital partner to the Federal Government; we enjoy working together to steward the public lands that are every American’s birthright and the source of our rural economy. But so far, the Trump Administration seems intent on nothing more than needless chaos in pursuit of outcomes that make no sense and that we cannot understand. Towns like Mammoth Lakes depend on public lands for our economies, and we deserve to have our voices heard when it comes to managing the public lands we call home.”
COLORADO
City of Aspen, Colorado, Mayor Torre said, “The White River National Forest is the busiest in the United States, and the lifeblood of our community. It provides essential resources and a plethora of outdoor recreation opportunities, and is protected by the civil servants who process permits, protect our water, clean bathrooms, and ensure campfires are doused. The staffing reductions pursued by the Trump Administration means many of those critical jobs will go undone. As climate change leads to increasingly severe wildfire seasons, this means our communities are in danger. Families, tourists, and local businesses rely on safe and healthy public lands to thrive, which is why we’re calling for the Trump Administration to be responsible stewards and preserve the rural character of federal public lands in our region.”
Chaffee County Colorado Commissioner Gina Lucrezi said, "A cornerstone of Chaffee County’s approach to natural amenities management is the close working partnerships we have with our regional USFS district ranger teams and other land management agencies, including Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Bureau of Land Management. USFS staffing cuts would mean that the primary pillars of our local economy - ranching and tourism - are immediately vulnerable to environmental degradation, increased wildfire risk, recreation and grazing overuse, watershed pollution, and habit loss for big game and keystone species."
Summit County, Colorado, County Commission Nina Waters said, “Fire is a given in Summit County, which is why we have worked tirelessly to bring seasonal and full-time workers to Summit County to perform critical wildfire resilience measures that have helped save lives and infrastructure during wildfire outbreaks. We are profoundly disappointed in the recent staffing cuts made at the United States Forest Service, cuts that will put the most visited National Forest in the nation - as well as the communities that surround it - at serious risk. The impacts of such drastic measures simply cannot be overstated, and has created deep worry that we will fall behind in our efforts to keep our county safe.”
Colorado State Representative Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs said, “From farmers and ranchers to small businesses and outdoor recreationists, people on the Western Slope of Colorado rely on our public lands. I was lucky enough to grow up on the Western Slope of Colorado, utilizing our public lands for hiking, camping, and backcountry skiing, and now I am proud to represent these iconic mountains and vast landscapes in the State Legislature. The hard-working people who keep our public lands safe and accessible for millions of visitors each year are critical for our community and our economy. Western Slope communities deserve a more balanced approach to public lands as well as increased funding to manage these lands, which takes into account the millions of Americans who depend on healthy, accessible public lands to thrive.”
Former Chaffee County, Colorado Commission Chair, former Friends of Browns Canyon Executive Director, and retired U.S. Navy Commander Keith Baker said, “In Chaffee County, we know the tremendous benefits protected public lands have for our community. Preserving sites like Browns Canyon for future generations is essential to maintaining our country's shared past, which is what makes the Trump Administration’s stance towards national monument designations so concerning. As we continue feeling the impacts of climate change, further protections for our most important landscapes are vital. I strongly urge President Trump to take seriously the need to conserve our public lands, and hope he uses his authority to continue protecting our outdoor spaces and the jobs and communities that depend on them.”
La Plata County, Colorado Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton said, “National monuments and public lands are integral to our way of life in the Four Corners. They provide key protections for the one-of-a-kind natural wonders and cultural sites that bring millions of dollars in revenue to our region, increase access for outdoor recreation, and help people appreciate and enjoy nature, all while supporting wildlife habitat and promoting water conservation. These unique landscapes are worthy of protection, and I hope the Trump Administration takes these benefits into consideration before making any decisions that would negatively impact the public lands we call home.”
Pitkin County, Colorado Commissioner and 10th Mountain Division descendant Greg Poschman said, “Our Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument is a fitting tribute to the heroes who served our country in World War II, then came home to lead on preservation of a healthy natural world. For Coloradans and for all Americans, these important public lands are the sources of healthy, clean air and pure water, and they are the wellspring of our inspiration, identity, and history. These areas belong to all of us, and are most worthy of conservation. Efforts to exploit, extract or privatize public lands in our national monuments is unadvisable, unconscionable, and unthinkable.”
Town of Ridgway Colorado Mayor John Clark said, "Communities like ours depend on easily accessible public lands as a major pillar of our economy. They bring visitors to our region in droves, and as this administration drastically eliminates staffing, it hurts everyone immensely. It's especially galling that, at the same time, they're claiming we're in an "energy emergency," and proposing to sell off or permanently destroy our public lands by opening them up to needless oil and gas drilling. There is no emergency; we're the world's largest energy producer! The Trump administration needs to halt these illegal and unconstitutional actions immediately.”
IDAHO
City of Ketchum, Idaho Council Member Tripp Hutchinson said, “In other countries, hunting is an activity reserved for only the rich on privately-owned land - but here in America, we’re lucky that public lands belong to all of us, and are available for everyone to use and enjoy. But it takes care and resources to keep our public lands safe and accessible. I am urging President Trump to treat America’s public lands as the important assets they are and to keep our Western hunting heritage alive and well by fully funding our nation’s most precious resources.”
Blaine County, Idaho County Commissioner Angenie McCleary said, "Protected public lands and national monuments support our local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation as well as provide certainty for our rural and gateway communities. Blaine County is known and valued for its beautiful landscapes that offer scenic views and endless recreational uses. Places like Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve offer places for locals and visitors to explore caves, ski, picnic, and enjoy a fascinating landscape while hiking up a volcanic cone. The Antiquities Act allows presidents to protect important places for future generations - like Craters of the Moon - but recent proposals threaten to remove that ability. I strongly oppose any attempt to curtail protecting our nation’s most treasured landscapes, and hope that more places can be protected so that other communities may benefit as we have."
MONTANA
City of Bozeman, Montana Mayor Terry Cunningham said, “From the Madison River, to Hyalite Canyon, to Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman wouldn’t be the amazing place to live and play in it is today without the collective love of our shared outdoor spaces. Public lands power our outdoor recreation economy and are the reason many of us choose to call Bozeman home. But they need to be cared for and protected, which is why I am calling for full funding for America’s public land agencies, and urging the Trump Administration to oppose the sale of our irreplaceable national treasures.”
City of Helena, Montana City Commissioner Andy Shirtliff said, “In Helena, our trails, rivers, and open spaces are part of what makes this community so special. They draw visitors from around the world and enrich the lives of everyone who calls Helena home. We have a responsibility to protect these public lands through balanced, thoughtful solutions — for today and for the generations to come.”
City of Missoula, Montana City Council Member Eric Melson said, "Missoula’s transformation from an industry town with smoke-choked skies to a thriving outdoor recreation hub is a testament to our community's commitment to conservation and smart growth. Today, our economy is driven by outdoor recreation; healthy rivers, clean air, and accessible public lands that define our identity and quality of life. Protecting these assets isn’t just an environmental obligation—it’s an investment in our resident's future, and we must ensure public lands remain well-funded, well-managed, and open to all.”
Former Mayor of the City of Billings, Montana, Past President of the Montana League of Cities and Towns, U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam, and Billings Businessman Chuck Tooley said, "National monuments and protected public lands are vitally important to us here in the West. Places like Pompeys Pillar National Monument, just east of Billings, which is a massive rock formation with indigenous petroglyphs, has a powerful effect on the imaginations of those who come visit. There are countless sites like it across the country that are just as worthy of permanent protection. Securing our clean air and water, our public lands, and our climate is becoming ever more important for future generations, and national monument designations can help provide us that protection. That's why I want the Trump Administration to listen to the voices on the ground and preserve not only these landscapes, but also the presidential authority to designate national monuments in perpetuity.”
NEVADA
Washoe County, Nevada Commissioner Alexis Hill said, “In Washoe County public lands are a key driver of our economy, and the backbone of our outdoor way of life. They provide our communities with clean air and water, create and support good-paying jobs, and give people space to be with nature. We should be doing more to protect and support our public lands, instead of starving them of badly-needed resources and exploiting them for short-term gain.”
City of Reno, Nevada Council Member Devon Reese said, "Protected public lands, like national monuments, are hugely important to Nevadans and Renoites. Places like Avi Kwa Ame, Tule Springs Fossil Beds, Gold Butte, and Basin & Range national monuments bring us peace of mind, protect important cultural resources, and generate economic revenue. Protected places like these help sustain our state’s vital outdoor recreation economy, which is why and how so many of our small towns and businesses thrive. The vitality of our communities is linked to the health of our public lands, which is why I am disappointed by U.S. Rep. Amodei’s legislation and the Trump administration’s actions that may put national monument designations in jeopardy. We should be encouraging more designations here in Nevada and across the country, so that more lands can be protected and more communities can benefit from the places they call home."
NEW MEXICO
City of Albuquerque, New Mexico City Council Member Tammy Fiebelkorn said, “Protected public lands like Petroglyph National Monument play a major role in preserving our deep cultural history and our shared sense of place. They also add to our economy, and give our residents places to hike, watch wildlife, and connect with nature. Above all, public lands are critical in helping New Mexico remain the ‘Land of Enchantment,’ and we owe it to our communities to ensure those protections remain in place for future generations to enjoy.”
City of Las Cruces, New Mexico Council Member Becky Corran said, “National monuments, like the The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, provide a range of recreational opportunities for communities like Las Cruces, and draw tens of thousands of visitors to our region whose money is invested back into our community through infrastructure, economic development, and community programming. National monuments also lead to broader participation in nature-conserving recreation, and elevate a broader understanding of the land’s meaning in the context of our cultural and indigenous histories. The treasures protected under the national monument designation are irreplaceable to our communities, which is why I urge the administration to protect our existing monuments and to refrain from shrinking or eliminating the ones that already exist."
Town of Mesilla, New Mexico Mayor Russell Hernandez said, “The Organ Mountain Desert Peaks national monument designation has been a vital asset to Mesilla and the surrounding areas. We are extremely concerned that Trump’s threat to alter or shrink existing monuments will have negative consequences for our community, and we urge him to reconsider.”
Town of Taos, New Mexico council Member Darien Fernandez said,“Public lands have sustained our outdoor way of life in New Mexico for thousands of years, and if they are cared for properly they will continue sustaining our communities for thousands of years more. But they are fragile, and irreplaceable, which is why it’s so important to keep public lands in public hands.”
OREGON
City of Ashland, Oregon Mayor Tonya Graham said, “Being the closest city to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, we know that living next to this unique and beautiful monument brings both economic benefits and recreation opportunities for our residents. Protected public lands are so important to communities like Ashland. I encourage President Trump to honor that legacy by keeping our existing national monuments whole so other communities can continue to benefit as ours has.”
City of Salem, Oregon City Council Member Paul Tigan said, “As I am a former BLM Field Manager, I know firsthand how critical our federal employees are to the resilience of our public lands and safety of our communities. The Trump Administration’s reckless assaults on the hardworking men and women who protect America’s public lands is beyond shameful. I urge Americans of every political persuasion to ask yourself : does it make sense to be less ready for the next wildfire, the next natural disaster? If the answer is no, then tell the Trump administration and your Congressional representatives to rethink these senseless staffing cuts and keep America ready.”
UTAH
Town of Springdale, Utah Mayor Barbara Bruno said, “The attacks on our public lands are putting communities like Springdale, which is located next to beautiful Zion National Park and serves as the gateway to that priceless landscape, in jeopardy. In addition to the human toll on beloved members of our community, we fear their proposals could lead to the shrinking or selling off of priceless natural and cultural resources. The proposals are a direct assault on the outdoor economy that powers so many of our communities. I hope those responsible listen to the countless voices on the ground calling for a stop to this war on our public lands.”
Grand County Utah Commissioner Trish Hedin said, “Grand County is home to such national treasures as Arches and Canyonlands National Parks which are crucial to our economy, our recreational opportunities, and our physical and psychological well-being. I am deeply concerned that the Trump Administration's stance towards protected public lands puts these irreplaceable places, and countless others like it across the West, at risk. We need to ensure public lands - and the agencies that support and care for them like BLM and the National Park Service - are fully funded and staffed, so these critical landscapes can continue benefiting communities like ours for years to come.”
Town of Bluff, Utah Mayor Ann Leppanen said, "Our small Town of Bluff, Utah, nestled in the southeastern corner of the state, sits among the grandeur of the American Southwest. For miles in any direction, we are surrounded by sweeping landscapes, the kind many only see on postcards. I’m proud to live here and proud to serve my neighbors as the town’s first mayor.
Bluff sits adjacent to 1.36 million-acre Bears Ears National Monument. Bears Ears is unique because it is the first national monument that came about because of the efforts of five sovereign Tribal Nations - the Navajo Nation (Diné), the Hopi Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute, the Ute Indian Tribe, and the Zuni Tribe.
Bears Ears has more than 100,000 estimated archaeological sites, as well as extensive and irreplaceable fossil sites and treasured natural resources throughout.
Any attempts to again abolish the Bears Ears National Monument and eliminate the Antiquities Act are both a slap in the face to the tribes and destructive to the economy of our town and entire region.”
Summit County, Utah County Councilor Megan McKenna said, “Utah’s five national parks anchor our state’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy and bring millions of visitors each year to our state. Our public lands also connect us with each other and with nature, and provide critical water resources while supporting small businesses and creating good-paying jobs. We need to take the care and protection of our public lands seriously, which is why I am calling on President Trump and Congress to provide the full funding and support these critical landscapes need to remain healthy and accessible for us all to enjoy.”
WASHINGTON
Sean Smith, Covington’s Mayor Pro Tem and former National Park and U.S. Forest Ranger said, "Here in Covington, we’re proud to live next door to Mount Rainier National Park and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest—places that embody the best of America’s natural heritage. These public lands fuel our regional economy, provide it with clean water and wildlife habitat, and offer unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. As someone who has served in both the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of strong, effective land management. Undermining the agencies that care for these lands puts our economy and way of life at risk. We need smart stewardship—not political games that threaten what makes this region such a great place to live, work, and play.”
City of Leavenworth, Washington Mayor Carl Florea said, “Our community is surrounded by protected public lands, that locals and visitors alike come to recreate on and experience their beauty and solitude. These places, including national monuments like nearby Hanford Reach National Monument, also support our growing outdoor recreation and tourism economies. They help provide jobs and revenue to support local employees and projects. The monument, which was designated through the use of the Antiquities Act, also protects important archaeological and historic artifacts; significant geological and paleontological objects; and a diversity of native plant and animal species. National monuments are something to be celebrated, and I am gravely concerned that the administration will instead work to shrink or eliminate these vital spaces entirely. Even worse, some are proposing legislation that would prevent future presidents from creating further monuments. I urge the Trump Administration to support more communities benefiting from protected public lands - as we have.”
MORE INFORMATION
POLLING:
According to the 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, voters clearly prefer their congressional representatives place more emphasis on conservation in upcoming decisions. 70 percent of voters want to protect clean water, air quality and wildlife habitats while providing opportunities to visit and recreate on public lands, compared to just 26 percent of voters who would rather ensure more domestic energy production by maximizing the amount of public lands available for responsible oil and gas drilling and mining.
Similarly, 75 percent of voters in the West agree we can increase clean energy production while preserving natural areas, while only 20 percent say we need to choose between production and preservation and only 27 percent support removing protections on some areas of existing national public lands, particularly national monuments, to allow more drilling, mining and other development.
Western voters also view connecting with nature as vital for their wellbeing. 93 percent say spending more time outdoors would help counter growing rates of anxiety, depression and mental health problems in young people, with 67 percent agreeing it would help a lot.
STATE SPECIFICS
ARIZONA
Public lands and national monuments play an important role in Arizona, – a recent poll found that 87% of Arizonans support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas. Similarly, another recent poll found that:
97% of Arizona voters agree that national parks and monuments and their natural beauty are essential to Arizona, and 93% agree that public lands are essential for guaranteeing access to outdoor recreation.
88% of Arizona voters support the Antiquities Act, the law that allows presidents to designate existing public lands as national monuments. Presidents of both parties have designated national monuments using the Antiquities Act and support for presidents continuing to have this authority is strong across the political spectrum, with 82% of Republicans, 90% of Independents, and 91% of Democrats supporting it.
At the same time, public support for the recently designated Grand Canyon monument continues to grow. Fully 80% of Arizona voters support Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon national monument, including 68% of Republicans, 81% of Independents, and 91% of Democrats. That’s up from 75% of Arizona voters who supported designating the monument in 2023.
National monuments in Arizona also benefit the state’s economy, as more than half of Arizonans participate in outdoor recreation activities. The outdoor recreation sector has added at least $14.1 billion to the state’s economy, has generated $6.7 billion in wages and salaries, and has created 110,794 direct jobs.
CALIFORNIA
National monuments and public lands playing an important role in California — over half of voters in significant regions of the state support the protection and expansion of public lands across the state. A 2015 poll that found that 75% of California’s population support monument designations.
Public Lands and national monuments in California also benefit the state’s economy, as outdoor recreation contributed a whopping $81.5 billion to the state economy with tourism to public lands being a popular activity. This sector also accounted for 2.1% of state GDP, $38.1 billion in wages, and 545,448 direct jobs. For example, “According to a recent report by the National Park Service, 810,000 people who visited the Cabrillo national monument in 2023 spent an estimated $54.3 million in areas around the park. Most of visitor spending went toward lodging expenses (30.7%) followed by restaurants (23.3%) and gas (15.6%).”
COLORADO
A recent poll found 84% of Coloradans support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas.
National monuments in Colorado benefit the state’s economy, as outdoor recreation accounted for 3.2% of state GDP, $8.6 billion in wages, 132,594 direct jobs, and added a value of $17.2 billion to the state economy. Visitation to National Park sites, including national monuments, brought $864 million in economic benefits to the state’s economy in 2021.
IDAHO
National monuments and public lands play an important role in Idaho. A recent poll found that 82% of Idaho residents support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas.
National monuments in Idaho benefit the state’s economy, as Idaho is among the top 10 states with the largest percentage of their GDP coming from outdoor recreation. This sector accounted for 3.3% of state GDP, $1.8 billion in wages, 37,478 direct jobs, and added a value of $4.0 billion to the state economy. In five of the Idaho landscapes overseen by the National Park Service, including Craters of the Moon National Monument, visitors spent $37.6 million in 2021. In 2023, tourism across southern Idaho brought $23 million to local economies, according to a new report from the National Park Service.
MONTANA
A recent poll found that 81% of Montanans support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas.
National monuments in Montana benefit the state’s economy, as outdoor recreation accounted for 4.6% of state GDP, $1.6 billion in wages, 30,915 direct jobs, and added a value of $3.4 billion to the state economy.
“Montana is a top 15 benefactor of national parks in terms of visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added to the state and economic output, and visitors spent roughly $716 million in Montana communities near the national parks and historic sites in Montana in 2023, according to a report by the National Park Service. National Park Service sites contributed to about 10,900 jobs in Montana, about $362 million in labor income, added $551 million in value to the state’s economy, and contributed about $1.1 billion in economic output, according to the report. All five sectors put Montana between 10th and 14th in the nation among all states. In 2023, about 7.9 million visits were logged between Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Big Hole National Battlefield, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The vast majority of those visits, about 7.5 million, were to Glacier (2.9 million visitors) and Yellowstone (4.5 million visitors).
NEVADA
National monuments and public lands play an important role in Nevada– a recent poll found that 87% of Nevada residents support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas.
Outdoor activities like RVing, motorcycling, ATVing, climbing, hiking, and camping are surging in popularity in Nevada, leading to growth in the outdoor recreation economy. This sector accounted for 3.3% of state GDP, $3.6 billion in wages, 58,425 direct jobs, and added a value of $8.1 billion to the state economy. The economic and environmental vitality of the state’s communities is linked to the health of its public lands, as Nevada landscapes received 14 million visitors throughout the state in 2019. And, for example, The Lake Mead National Recreation Area alone produced $358 million from visitor spending in and around the national park in 2023.
NEW MEXICO
National monuments and public lands play an important role in New Mexico– a recent poll found that 83% of New Mexico residents support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas.
Public lands and national monuments in New Mexico benefit the state’s economy, as the outdoor recreation sector accounted for 2.4% of state GDP, $1.5 billion in wages, 29,182 direct jobs, and added a value of $3.2 billion to the state economy. For example, the Bandelier National Monument drew 270,000 visitors who spent over $18.9 million in the surrounding community and the designation of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument increased visitation to the surrounding area three-fold over the last decade. Overall, access to the outdoors and outdoor activities are just as important to New Mexicans as well as visitors, with residents of New Mexico spending $4.8 billion on outdoor recreation in the state each year.
OREGON
National monuments and public lands play an important role in Oregon, – a recent poll found that 80% of voters in Oregon will not support politicians who vote to sell off public lands and 70% of Oregonians want to see more protected wilderness areas created in their state.
Public lands and national monuments in Oregon benefit the state’s economy, as the state outdoor recreation sector contributed $8.4 billion to Oregon’s economy. This sector accounted for 2.6% of state GDP, $4.4 billion in wages, and 72,925 direct jobs. For example, the “importance of Crater Lake National Park and Lava Beds and Tule Lake National Monuments is reflected in a National Park Service report that includes the three parks. According the 2023 report, Crater Lake had 559,976 visitors with total visitor spending of $55,235,000. In addition, the park generated 780 jobs with a labor income of $29,848,000, and value added was $45,933,000. The total economic output for the region, which includes the gateway regions in the Klamath Basin and Rogue Valley, was $80,551,000. The report also shows that 136,164 people visited Lava Beds while another 2,731 visited the Tule Lake National Monuments in 2023. Based on the report, visitors spent $6,968,000 in communities near the park, including the city of Tulelake. The visitors supported 79 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $7,794,000.”
UTAH
National monuments and public lands play an important role in Utah– a recent poll found that 84% of people in Utah support support the creation of new national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and tribal protected areas.
Similarly, voters in Utah overwhelmingly support Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments, and the protection of public lands in general. The survey found that 75% of Utah voters support presidents’ ability to protect public lands as national monuments and nearly two out of three voters (65%) support keeping the number and current size of existing national monuments. This support is strong across political parties, including 98% of Democrats, 82% of Independents, and 65% of Republicans.
Bears Ears: 71% of Utah voters support continuing to keep Bears Ears as a National Monument, including 94% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 61% of Republicans.
Grand Staircase-Escalante: 74% support continuing to keep Grand Staircase-Escalante as a National Monument, including 96% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 65% of Republicans.
National monuments in Utah benefit the state’s economy as well, as almost three-fourths of Utah residents participate in outdoor recreation activities. The outdoor sector accounted for 3.4% of state GDP, $4.3 billion in wages, 71,898 direct jobs, and added a value of $9.5 billion to the state economy. Overall, outdoor recreation jobs support more than twice as many direct jobs in Utah than mining and energy jobs combined, demonstrating how crucial national parks are to Utah’s economy.
For a local example, “a National Park Service report shows that over 326,000 visitors to Dinosaur National Monument in 2023 spent $24,120,000 in communities near the park.”
“According to last year’s data on national park visitor spending effects, outdoor enthusiasts spent $1.9 billion in Utah ranking them third in the nation, behind California and North Carolina. Nearly half of the spending came in the form of lodging and restaurants, while camping, groceries, gas and retail also accounted for recreational dollars spent. In terms of the most popular parks in the southwestern part of the country, the grandest of them all topped visitor spending. Other figures from the latest government data include:
Grand Canyon National Park - $768 million
Zion National Park - $676 million
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - $540 million
Bryce Canyon National Park - $232 million
Lake Mead - $292 million
Cedar Breaks National Monument - $45.2 million
Pipe Spring National Monument - $1.6 million
The latest report is informed by improved socioeconomic survey data, enhancing the accuracy of spending estimates and assisting the National Park Service to learn more about park visitors.”
WASHINGTON
National monuments and public lands play an important role in Washington, as Washington’s economy is deeply entwined with outdoor recreation and the public lands that make it possible. In 2023, this sector accounted for 2.8% of state GDP, $9.9 billion in wages, 121,445 direct jobs, and added a value of $22.5 billion to the state economy.