NRDC, Groups Sue to Block Trump Action on Grand Staircase

WASHINGTON – The Natural Resources Defense Council and partners have filed a lawsuit in federal court here challenging President Trump’s proclamation abolishing Grand Staircase-Escalante National monument.

Sharon Buccino, director of the Land and Wildlife program at NRDC made the following statement:

“Trump issued an illegal proclamation, trying to strip protection from treasured lands held in trust for all of us, and our grandchildren—all so he can give a massive handout to polluters.  When we see this kind of folly, we will meet it swiftly with a legal complaint.”

NRDC president Rhea Suh offers more on Trump’s attack on our national treasures in this blog.

Here is a map analyzing potential coal reserves in the monument area, created by the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.

NRDC’s report, “America’s Monuments: Worth the Fight,” on how our monuments benefit the economy and preserve our heritage, wildlife and history, can be found here.

An interactive NRDC story map of the national monuments Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke reviewed can be found here. 

A copy of the complaint can be found here.

# # #

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.