Letter to Ryan Zinke, Secretary of the Interior - Proposed Shrinking of National Monuments

Letter

Dear Secretary Zinke,

Thank you for meeting with myself and other Senators to discuss the Administration's 'Monuments Review'. During our meeting, you committed to respond to all substantive public comments the Department of the Interior received regarding the review. What is the timeline for you responses and will you be making them public?

In addition, I would like to renew my request for maps and documentation detailing any changes you are recommending regarding the boundaries and management of existing national monuments, as well as any document explaining what legal authority the President plans to use to enact the changes.

Finally, in our meeting, you stated that the boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument would be significantly reduced to the land directly surrounding the buttes as those are the only areas with artifacts. However, during my visit to the Monument in September, I saw ruins (pictures enclosed) in Fry Canyon, which is outside of this area. Would these ruins be protected in the new Monument boundaries you are proposing?

Thank you again for meeting to discuss this important issue and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Source