"Where Will The West’s Next National Monument Be?"

"Bears Ears isn’t the only local effort to get Obama to designate protections before he leaves office."

"While President Barack Obama has already designated or expanded 27 national monuments in the past eight years, more than any other administration, there are still efforts in many Western states pushing for the designation. Our map below shows the most well-known efforts such as Bears Ears and Gold Butte, as well as lesser-known efforts you may not have heard about.

Most monuments are managed by the National Park Service, though some are the purview of the Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or the Bureau of Land Management. A designation doesn’t necessarily bring new funding, but usually creates stricter regulations for use that protect historical or natural landmarks. “Existing rights” that can include anything from property access and grazing to drilling and mining often remain intact but can be curtailed. Each monument’s regulations are unique and are outlined in management plans created by federal agencies, in consultation with locals."

Tay Wiles and Paige Blankenbuehler report for High Country News November 8, 2016.