Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, along with Utah’s congressional delegation, has introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. The resolution seeks to overturn the Biden administration’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.
The Bureau of Land Management approved the RMP on January 13, 2025, during President Biden’s final days in office. The plan covers nearly 1.9 million acres in Southern Utah and sets new rules for visitation, access, and land use. Local officials argue that it was developed without adequate input from Utah communities.
A recent decision by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that the Grand Staircase–Escalante RMP is considered a “rule” under the Administrative Procedure Act. This means it falls within the scope of the Congressional Review Act and must be submitted to Congress before taking effect. The GAO found that the plan establishes binding legal consequences regarding which lands are available or unavailable for certain uses.
If passed, this Joint Resolution would nullify the current management plan and prevent similar rules from being issued unless authorized by Congress.
Local leaders have voiced support for congressional action. The Kane County Commission stated: “With our County being engulfed by 80% monument, the crushing restrictions of the 2025 rules severely impact local families and business owners. We are overjoyed to hear of these efforts to return power to our duly elected federal delegation.”
The Garfield County Commission added: “With Garfield County sitting at the very heart of Grand Staircase–Escalante, the sweeping restrictions contained in the 2025 management plan fall squarely on the backs of our residents and small businesses. Our communities live with the day-to-day consequences of decisions made about these lands. We appreciate our congressional delegation stepping forward to ensure these decisions receive proper review and that the voices of Garfield County are heard.”
Senator Lee commented: “The Antiquities Act was written to protect specific objects and to reserve only the smallest area compatible with their protection. Instead, we have a 1.9 million acre, sweeping land-use regime finalized in the last 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.”
Senator 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 this area… This resolution will help ensure that future management plans better serve long-term interests of Utahns, not distant federal agencies.”
Representative Maloy noted: “The people most affected by government decisions should have most input… This CRA is Congress exercising our constitutional responsibility to check executive overreach… The CRA is holding agency accountable to local people we represent.”
Representative Owens remarked: “For too long, Grand Staircase–Escalante has been used as a political talking point in Washington… These sweeping decisions framed as ‘environmental victories’ sidelined voices of southern Utah… Our responsibility is not to score political points — it is to improve quality of life, protect rural jobs, and ensure local communities are heard… Congress has duty to conduct thorough review with meaningful input from community leaders across southern Utah.”
Representative Kennedy stated: “We must ensure that Utah has a meaningful voice in how land within its borders is managed… We can protect landscape while also recognizing importance of jobs, access, and state input in federal land decisions.”
Representative Moore added: “Major land-use decisions impacting millions of acres and generations should not bypass congressional oversight… No one manages Utah’s lands better than people of Utah.”
Governor Cox expressed support for congressional intervention: “This is right move by our federal delegation… Rural Utahns deserve seat at table when decisions like this are made.”
The GAO’s finding clarifies that major resource management actions such as this require Congressional scrutiny before implementation.
