Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (UT-02) has introduced a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to overturn the Biden administration’s 2025 Resource Management Plan (RMP) for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The resolution seeks to restore the previous management plan from 2020, which was developed with input from local communities and the Trump administration. Utah Senator Mike Lee is leading the measure in the Senate, joined by cosponsors including Senator John Curtis and Representatives Blake Moore, Mike Kennedy, and Burgess Owens.
The proposed resolution would reject the current 2025 RMP and reinstate the 2020 plan. While the size of the monument remains unchanged, supporters say that the earlier plan allows multiple uses of federal lands that they argue have been restricted under the Biden administration’s approach. According to those backing the resolution, this would return management to standard Bureau of Land Management (BLM) protocols while keeping all federal protections in place. It would also restore road access and traditional activities such as hunting and grazing.
Representative Maloy stated: “The 2025 Biden RMP was written without the people it affects most having any real seat at the table. That’s not how land management should work. The 2020 plan was built with local communities, balanced conservation with access, and reflected the realities of life in southern Utah. This resolution uses Congress’s constitutional responsibility to check executive overreach and returns management to a plan that actually listens to the people on the ground. And to be clear: this land remains federal land. It remains protected. What changes is that the communities who live here get their voice back.”
Local officials have criticized what they describe as a lack of engagement from federal agencies during development of the 2025 RMP. They point out that almost every local elected official opposed it, contrasting it with what they see as more extensive coordination for the 2020 version.
Senator Mike Lee commented: “We have a 1.9 million acre, sweeping land-use regime finalized in the final 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.”
Garfield County Commissioners Jerry Taylor, Leland Pollock, and David Tebbs expressed support for congressional review under CRA: “Despite extensive written comments, alternative proposals, and supporting data, very little of the County’s input was incorporated into the final plan. The GAO’s determination provides Congress with an appropriate opportunity to review the plan and consider whether it reflects a lawful, coordinated, and balanced approach to land management. Given the lack of meaningful coordination with affected local governments, Garfield County supports congressional oversight and review under the CRA.”
Kane County Commissioners Gwen Brown, Celeste Meyers, and Patty Kubeja also voiced their support: “The Kane County Commission supports congressional action under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the BLM Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan for Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The Commission urges Congress to ensure that future land management reflects statutory intent, respects local governments, and preserves reasonable access and multiple-use opportunities.”
Utah Senator John Curtis said: “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. This resolution will help ensure that future management plans better serve the long-term interests of Utahns, not distant federal agencies.”
Representative Blake Moore added: “Major land-use decisions impacting millions of acres and generations of Utahns should not bypass congressional oversight. No one manages Utah’s lands better than the people of Utah,” he said.“We have shown that we can protect natural treasures while also supporting grazing, recreation, tourism, and responsible energy development. We’ve consistently demonstrated that we deserve a seat at the table, and this decision will help ensure Utah’s lands are not used by administrations to advance political goals that ignore local needs, thereby avoiding Congressional oversight.”
Representative Mike Kennedy emphasized state involvement: “We must ensure that Utah has a 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 jobs access state input federal land decisions.”
Representative Burgess Owens stated: “For too long Grand Staircase–Escalante has been used as political talking point Washington Almost years ago Arizona his back turned Utah President Clinton abused Antiquities Act locked up millions acres Utah Then again thousands miles away last-ditch effort enshrine failed legacy awful president overreaching rule issued both instances these sweeping decisions framed environmental victories sidelined voices southern Utah people who live work raise their families near these lands deserve seat table Our responsibility is not score political points — improve quality life protect rural jobs ensure local communities heard GAO confirmed this action qualifies rule Congress duty conduct thorough review meaningful input community leaders stakeholders across southern Utah.”
The Congressional Review Act allows Congress sixty legislative session days after notification to reject agency rules through majority votes in both chambers.
