Early indications are that the Mojave Trails National Monument east of Twentynine Palms will not be reduced or eliminated. According National News sources, a memo from Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke is recommending that six of 27 national monuments under review by the Trump administration be reduced in size, with changes to several others proposed. The memo from Zinke to President Donald Trump recommends that two Utah monuments, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante, be reduced, along with Nevada’s Gold Butte and Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou. Two marine monuments in the Pacific Ocean also would be reduced. Trump ordered the review earlier this year after complaining about improper “land grabs” by former presidents. National Monument designations add protections for lands for natural beauty and historical significance. The restrictions aren’t as stringent as national parks, but some include limits on mining, timber cutting and recreational activities.
