Utah

The Interior Department defended reductions to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante after a survey found most Utah voters favor restoring protections.

Two-thirds of voters in Utah believe protections should be restored to the entire acreages of two national monuments that were recently downsized. That’s according to a statistically valid survey conducted by the research firm New Bridge Strategy and funded by Grand Canyon Trust.

President Trump is expected to reduce Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments. Conservation groups are preparing legal challenges, while Dolores County has reduced some Ferris Fire evacuation levels.

Evacuation orders remain in place as the Ferris, Far Draw and Doe Canyon fires burn in western Montezuma and Dolores counties. Additional fires are also active in southeastern Utah.

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council is considering an agreement with San Juan Counseling Services that could expand access to counseling and treatment services in White Mesa.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected across the Four Corners today, with gusty winds, small hail and isolated heavy rain possible before hotter, drier weather returns later this week.

This week’s Farm News and Views examines worsening drought across western rangelands, rising diesel prices, beef import concerns, and new satellite-based virtual fencing technology for ranchers.

Today’s Outdoor Report tracks changing spring conditions across the Four Corners, with scattered storms, gusty winds, and a stronger system bringing mountain snow and possible travel impacts midweek.

Widespread drought and fears of a power crisis is forcing the Interior Department to start sending billions of gallons of water from Flaming Gorge Reservoir downstream to prop up Lake Powell.

Strong winds up to 55 mph are expected midweek across the Four Corners, followed by cooler, unsettled weather and mountain snow later this week.