Patagonia and Allies Challenge Trump's Bears Ears Reduction in Court

Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company, has taken a stand alongside seven environmental and Indigenous rights organizations to challenge President Trump's recent decision to significantly reduce the size of the Bears Ears National Monument. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on September 2, argues that Trump's actions were illegal and violate the Antiquities Act.

The complaint comes in response to Trump's July 13 order, which slashed the monument's size from 1.31 million acres to approximately 121,000 acres, a staggering 91 percent reduction. The legal team representing Patagonia includes various environmental groups such as Earthjustice and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), indicating a united front against the administration's actions.

Reviving Previous Legal Battles

This lawsuit echoes a 2017 case when Patagonia and others first contested the Trump administration's cuts to Bears Ears. Previously, these claims were administratively closed after President Biden reinstated the original boundaries in 2021. However, the current lawsuit seeks to revive those earlier claims, asserting that the president has exceeded his authority by not only establishing monuments but also by reducing their size.

Concerns Over Environmental Impact

Rob Tadlock, Patagonia’s deputy general counsel, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Today we, alongside conservation partners, moved to lift that stay and supplement the complaint to include President Trump’s most recent proclamation." The lawsuit highlights concerns that Trump's reductions jeopardize fragile ecosystems and sacred lands for Indigenous tribes. With the protections set to expire on September 11, environmentalists are worried about the immediate threats posed by mining interests, with reports of new mining claims already emerging within the previously protected areas.

Source: www.outsideonline.com