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Utah Professional Archaeological Council Statement on Bears Ears and Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monuments
- theupac
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Utah Professional Archaeological Council (UPAC) is deeply concerned by the recent decision to substantially reduce the boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
These landscapes contain some of the most significant and irreplaceable archaeological, cultural, historical, and traditional cultural resources in North America, many of which are eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. They encompass thousands of recorded archaeological sites, including ancestral villages, rock imagery, ceremonial locations, historic structures, trails, and cultural landscapes that hold profound meaning for Tribal Nations and the people of Utah.
For decades, archaeologists, Tribes, and land managers have worked to document, preserve, and steward these resources. Despite years of research, only a fraction of the monuments has been archaeologically surveyed, and therefore the extent of cultural resources present remains unknown. This raises questions about how the newly delineated boundaries of the monument were determined. The previous monument designation provided an important framework for protection of cultural heritage. Without which, cultural resources may be vulnerable to damage or destruction.
UPAC recognizes that public lands often involve diverse perspectives regarding their management and use. Regardless of differing views, archaeological and cultural resources are nonrenewable. Once damaged or destroyed, they cannot be replaced. Their preservation is essential for understanding the history of the Colorado Plateau, the Indigenous peoples whose ancestors lived on these lands, and the many communities connected to this region today.
UPAC also recognizes the enduring cultural and spiritual significance of these landscapes to Tribal Nations. Meaningful Tribal consultation and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are critical components of responsible stewardship and cultural resource management.
We encourage federal and state decision-makers to ensure that any management actions prioritize the protection of archaeological sites, cultural landscapes, traditional cultural properties, and other heritage resources. We further support management approaches grounded in sound science, professional cultural resource practice, and respectful collaboration with Tribal Nations.
As Utah's organization representing professional archaeologists and cultural resource practitioners, UPAC remains committed to the preservation, study, and responsible stewardship of the cultural heritage that these remarkable landscapes contain for present and future generations.
Tina Hart, UPAC President
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