John Curtis

Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, for this opportunity for this critical conversation and this very important bill.

But I want to remind the Committee that it was Federal land before President Obama designated a national monument.

If you don't do anything, and you shoot down the bill, guess what? You are still going to have one person for every 1 million acres. It is ridiculous.

And I would also remind everybody that none of the designation of the national monument under President Obama happened on tribal lands.

Hopi people have been associated with Bears Ears for thousands of years.

We cannot assist you in its destruction.

The Tribe objects to the extremely short notice for the meeting.

When the United States abdicates its government-to-government relationship to local individuals, it demeans the Hopi Tribe and the historical relationship the United States has with the Hopi Tribe.

Removing the Hopi Tribe from an integral role in the management of these important areas puts western development and beliefs over the beliefs of the Hopi people.

H.R. 4532 leaves three of the five major tribes connected to the original Bears Ears National Monument designation as a part of the new management council, which would result in the exclusion of the Hopi Tribe.

That is a net increase in their ability to participate in the management of those lands.

Late last year, President Donald Trump issued an unlawful order to repeal the Bears Ears National Monument and replace it with two smaller monuments, leaving nearly 85 percent of the original monument unprotected.

Hey, I hear some things here maybe we need to take a look at.

I certainly would entertain any opportunity to insert more from the Bears Ears Commission into this that would give them the representation that they are looking for.

I would certainly consider it a friendly amendment to add in that that is also in consultation with the Bears Ears Commission.

I want to make clear the point that the Bears Ears Commission is kept fully intact in this bill.

This bill is a management plan that protects the area.

Absolutely. We have heard today a number of positive comments about the legislative process.

I think we all understand the importance of local control and local input, certainly as we have responsibilities.

This bill will create the first-ever tribally co-managed national monument.

This bill creates long-term certainty for my constituents.

This bill empowers Utah's local tribes and community leaders to properly manage these areas.

It is important to note this bill precludes any type of mining or development of oil or gas within the boundaries of the 1.35 million acres of the original Bears Ears Monument.

Representative John Curtis' bill creates an Archeological Resources Protection Unit for each monument and, additionally, mandates that at least 10 law enforcement personnel be assigned to each monument.

This bill is about protecting areas, not opening mining, or oil and gas, development.