Bears Ears National Monument

Green shrubs stand in the foreground of two mountains known as Bears Ears.

The Bears Ears National Monument is the 12th national monument managed by the Forest Service, and the fifth managed jointly with the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management. Monuments generally preserve current uses of the land, including tribal access for traditional plant and firewood gathering and for ceremonial purposes. Current uses also include recreation, grazing, hunting and fishing, and water and utility infrastructure.

Manti-La Sal Updates on Bears Ears Management Plan

Planning is underway for Bears Ears National Monument. The public is encouraged to participate in comment periods, public meetings, and information gathering around these decisions. Below are resources and information around this public planning effort.

Public Comment Period for Bears Ears

The Bears Ears Public Comment Period is open from March 8th to June 11,2024 and hosted by the BLM. Submit your comments here. 

On March 8, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service initiated a public comment period for the Bears Ears National Monument Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement, proposed recreational shooting closures, and proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.  Comments will be accepted through June 11, 2024.  In addition, the agencies will host seven public meetings, five in-person and two virtual, which will provide forums for the public to learn more about the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Upcoming Public Meetings About Bears Ears

  • Virtual Meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT 
  • Salt Lake City, UT open house on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT 
    • Marriot – University Park, 480 S Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108 
  • Blanding, UT open house on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT
    • Utah State University Blanding, 576 West 200 South, Blanding, UT, 84511
  • Virtual Meeting on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MDT
  • Twin Arrows, AZ open house on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT 
    • Twin Arrows Casino Resort, 22181 Resort Boulevard, Twin Arrows, AZ, 86004 
  • Albuquerque, NM open house on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT
    • ABQ Marriott Courtyard, 5151 Journal Center Boulevard., Albuquerque, NM, 87109 
  • Monument Valley, UT open house on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT
    • Monument Valley High School, US State Highway #163, Monument Valley, UT, 84536