Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, along with the entire Utah congressional delegation, has introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. The resolution aims to overturn the Biden administration’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.
The Bureau of Land Management approved this plan on January 13, 2025, near the end of President Biden’s term. The plan affects nearly 1.9 million acres in Southern Utah and sets binding rules for visitation, access, and land use. Critics argue that it was developed in Washington, D.C., without sufficient input from Utah communities most affected by these changes.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently determined that the Grand Staircase–Escalante RMP qualifies as a “rule” under the Administrative Procedure Act. This means it falls within the scope of the Congressional Review Act and must be submitted to Congress before taking effect. The GAO found that the plan is an agency statement with binding legal consequences about which lands are available or unavailable for certain uses.
If passed, this Joint Resolution would nullify the current RMP and prevent similar rules from being issued without further congressional authorization.
Local officials have voiced their support for congressional intervention. The Kane County Commission stated: “With our County being engulfed by 80% monument, the crushing restrictions of the 2025 rules severely impact local families and business owners. We are overjoyed to hear of these efforts to return power to our duly elected federal delegation.”
Garfield County Commission added: “With Garfield County sitting at the very heart of Grand Staircase–Escalante, the sweeping restrictions contained in the 2025 management plan fall squarely on the backs of our residents and small businesses. Our communities live with the day-to-day consequences of decisions made about these lands. We appreciate our congressional delegation stepping forward to ensure these decisions receive proper review and that the voices of Garfield County are heard.”
Senator Lee emphasized Congress’s oversight role: “The Antiquities Act was written to protect specific objects and to reserve only the smallest area compatible with their protection,” he said. “Instead, we have a 1.9 million acre, sweeping land-use regime finalized in the last days of a failed President, with generational consequences for rural Utah communities. Congress does not surrender its oversight responsibility simply because an agency labels something a ‘plan’ rather than a ‘rule.’ The GAO has now confirmed what the law makes clear: this Resource Management Plan is a rule. It carries binding consequences. It shapes what can and cannot occur across millions of acres. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has the right to review it.”
Senator Curtis commented: “Our lands are best managed and most appreciated by those who live closest to them. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration’s overreaching management plan for Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument clearly does not reflect the full spectrum of voices who live and work in the area,” he said.“This resolution will help ensure that future management plans better serve the long-term interests of Utahns, not distant federal agencies.”
Representative Maloy noted: “The people most affected by government decisions should have the most input,” she said.“The 2020 GSENM plan was built with local communities, balanced conservation with access, and reflected realities of life in southern Utah. This CRA is Congress exercising our constitutional responsibility to check executive overreach. And to be clear: this land remains federal land. It remains protected.The CRA is holding agency accountable to local people we represent.”
Representative Owens criticized past presidential actions related to Grand Staircase–Escalante: “For too long, Grand Staircase–Escalante has been used as a political talking point in Washington,” he said.“Almost 30 years ago...President Clinton abused Antiquities Act...Then again...this overreaching rule was issued...these sweeping decisions framed as 'environmental victories' sidelined the voices of southern Utah...Our responsibility is not to score political points — it is to improve quality of life, protect rural jobs,and ensure local communities are heard.The GAO has confirmed this action qualifies as a rule,and Congress has duty to conduct thorough review with meaningful input from community leaders and stakeholders across southern Utah.”
Representative Kennedy stressed economic considerations:“We must ensure that Utah has meaningful voice in how land within its borders is managed, allow for responsible mineral development and energy production,strengthen local economies,and support domestic resource security,” he said.“We can protect landscape while also recognizing importance of jobs,access,and state input in federal land decisions."
Representative Moore echoed concerns about oversight:“Major land-use decisions impacting millions acres and generations Utahns should not bypass congressional oversight.No one manages Utah’s lands better than people Utah," he said."We have shown we can protect natural treasures while also supporting grazing,recreation,tourism,and responsible energy development.We’ve consistently demonstrated we deserve seat at table,and this decision will help ensure Utah’s lands are not used by administrations advance political goals that ignore local needs..."
Governor Cox concluded:“This is right move by our federal delegation.The Biden Administration advanced rigid top-down plan without coordinating with state putting livestock grazing public access recreation rural Utah’s economy at risk.Rural Utahns deserve seat at table when decisions like this are made.”
