But I don’t think that’s it. Something about the tranquility and the stillness of being outside, the clean air, the sun peeking over the mountain in the morning, deer walking through the camp, brought a calmness I don’t feel at home. I, like the majority of other Utahns, want to protect these places and make sure our children will have the same opportunities to be outside, breathing clean air, watching the birds and the animals.

According to the Colorado College State of the Rockies 2025 poll, 82% of Utahns want our national monuments preserved. 96% want the oil and gas companies to clean up the restoration from their work rather than the taxpayers. 76% want leaders to place more emphasis on protecting water, air, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities over maximizing the land available for mining and drilling.

The list goes on of the things that Utahns want our government to protect, and they believe in our public workers who have the knowledge and expertise to make the best decisions. Why then are people sitting quietly as Trump, with the support of many of our Republican colleagues, eviscerates public lands and its workforce — opening protected spaces to mining and drilling, rescinding protections for clean air, water, species protections and trying to revitalize coal, the dirtiest and least cost effective of all fuels?

Why aren’t we outraged and letting leaders know?

Patty Becnel

Ogden