Establishment of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

President Clinton established the 1.7 million acre Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah under the Antiquities Act, withdrawing federal lands from development and directing the Secretary of the Interior to manage it through BLM and prepare a management plan within 3 years. The proclamation protects valid existing rights, state wildlife management authority, and existing grazing permits.

Federal Register Open PDF 61 FR 50223

Impact dates

Sep 18, 1999
Management plan due from Secretary of the Interior

Key directives

Secretary of the Interior shall manage the monument through the Bureau of Land Management
Secretary of the Interior shall prepare a management plan within 3 years of September 18, 1996
Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate regulations for monument management
Secretary shall address water necessity and availability in the management plan

Who is ordered

Secretary of the Interior · Department of the Interior

Timeline

Immediate

Monument designation takes effect
Federal lands withdrawn from entry, location, selection, sale, leasing, or other disposition
Existing permits and grazing levels protected

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Management plan due within 3 years
Regulations to be promulgated by Secretary of the Interior
Water availability assessment to be addressed in management plan

Risks & tensions

Large land withdrawal (1.7 million acres) creates tension with Utah state officials and development interests
'Valid existing rights' carve-out preserves some mining/energy claims but scope is uncertain
State retains fish and wildlife management authority, creating potential intergovernmental friction
Grazing continuation provision may conflict with monument protection goals over time
Water rights disclaimer ('does not reserve water as a matter of Federal law') leaves unresolved resource tension