Public Lands Watch — Timeline Updates https://publiclandswatch.org Dated developments across every tracked threat to American public lands. Bears Ears National Monument: Excluded lands scheduled to reopen to new mining claims and mineral leasing, per the proclamation's https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2026-09-11-10033683 Excluded lands scheduled to reopen to new mining claims and mineral leasing, per the proclamation's 60-day provision. 2026-09-11 Big Bend National Park: Federal contractors begin physical border construction inside Big Bend National Park; Center for Bio https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-08-06-16192253 Federal contractors begin physical border construction inside Big Bend National Park; Center for Biological Diversity files constitutional challenge. 2026-08-06 Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Greater Chaco Landscape): Extended public comment period on the proposed revocation closes. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/chaco-culture/ chaco-culture-2026-07-29-806914 Extended public comment period on the proposed revocation closes. 2026-07-29 Bears Ears National Monument: Trump signs proclamation cutting the monument to 121,096 acres and purporting to terminate the Bears https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2026-07-13-2719919 Trump signs proclamation cutting the monument to 121,096 acres and purporting to terminate the Bears Ears Commission. 2026-07-13 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: Trump signs proclamation cutting the monument to 181,541 acres, the same day as the Bears Ears reduc https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-staircase-escalante/ grand-staircase-escalante-2026-07-13-5177916 Trump signs proclamation cutting the monument to 181,541 acres, the same day as the Bears Ears reduction. 2026-07-13 Bears Ears National Monument: Energy Fuels board chair Bruce Hansen purchases 4,000 shares. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2026-07-08-7927615 Energy Fuels board chair Bruce Hansen purchases 4,000 shares. 2026-07-08 Bears Ears National Monument: Energy Fuels CEO Ross Bhappu purchases 74,000 shares of company stock. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2026-07-07-16023247 Energy Fuels CEO Ross Bhappu purchases 74,000 shares of company stock. 2026-07-07 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: The Senate's 60-day fast-track window on the CRA resolution expires without a vote. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-staircase-escalante/ grand-staircase-escalante-2026-06-11-3372794 The Senate's 60-day fast-track window on the CRA resolution expires without a vote. 2026-06-11 Pacific Marine National Monuments (Papahānaumokuākea, Pacific Islands Heritage, Mariana Trench, Rose Atoll): Trump signs Proclamation 11035 opening portions of Papahānaumokuākea, Mariana Trench, and Rose Atoll https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/pacific-marine-monuments/ pacific-marine-monuments-2026-06-11-14218190 Trump signs Proclamation 11035 opening portions of Papahānaumokuākea, Mariana Trench, and Rose Atoll monuments to commercial fishing. 2026-06-11 Big Bend National Park: DHS waives roughly 28 federal laws, including NPS Organic Act, ESA, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air A https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-06-08-9675814 DHS waives roughly 28 federal laws, including NPS Organic Act, ESA, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act, to allow construction inside the park itself. 2026-06-08 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: First sale under the new mandate held; only AIDEA and Hex LLC bid, on five parcels. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2026-06-05-9858733 First sale under the new mandate held; only AIDEA and Hex LLC bid, on five parcels. 2026-06-05 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): House Appropriations Committee advances FY27 language to reinstate the Twin Metals leases. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2026-06-03-11720150 House Appropriations Committee advances FY27 language to reinstate the Twin Metals leases. 2026-06-03 Big Bend National Park: $1.7 billion contract awarded to Southwest Valley Constructors for vehicle barriers, roads, and tech https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-05-20-1124521 $1.7 billion contract awarded to Southwest Valley Constructors for vehicle barriers, roads, and technology in and around Big Bend. 2026-05-20 Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Greater Chaco Landscape): National Trust names the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape one of America's 11 Most Endangered Histor https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/chaco-culture/ chaco-culture-2026-05-20-2269638 National Trust names the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2026. 2026-05-20 Big Bend National Park: Additional waivers published. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-05-14-5138004 Additional waivers published. 2026-05-14 Tongass National Forest (2001 Roadless Rule Rescission): Southeast Alaska Conservation Council holds independent public hearings after stating USFS declined https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/tongass-roadless-rule/ tongass-roadless-rule-2026-05-06-3991531 Southeast Alaska Conservation Council holds independent public hearings after stating USFS declined to hold its own. 2026-05-06 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): President Trump signs the resolution into law. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2026-04-27-16705924 President Trump signs the resolution into law. 2026-04-27 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): Senate passes resolution (50-49) overturning the 20-year mineral withdrawal. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2026-04-16-15552518 Senate passes resolution (50-49) overturning the 20-year mineral withdrawal. 2026-04-16 National Park Service — Nationwide Budget & Staffing Cuts: Administration's FY2027 budget proposal seeks a further $736 million (25%+) operations cut and a 95% https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/nps-budget-staffing-cuts/ nps-budget-staffing-cuts-2026-04-03-8046630 Administration's FY2027 budget proposal seeks a further $736 million (25%+) operations cut and a 95% Historic Preservation Fund cut. 2026-04-03 Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Greater Chaco Landscape): BLM opens a public comment period on revoking the withdrawal, initially seven days. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/chaco-culture/ chaco-culture-2026-03-31-7746052 BLM opens a public comment period on revoking the withdrawal, initially seven days. 2026-03-31 Pacific Marine National Monuments (Papahānaumokuākea, Pacific Islands Heritage, Mariana Trench, Rose Atoll): Trump signs Proclamation 11009 opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts monument (Atlantic) to fi https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/pacific-marine-monuments/ pacific-marine-monuments-2026-02-06-8515848 Trump signs Proclamation 11009 opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts monument (Atlantic) to fishing. 2026-02-06 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: GAO rules the 2025 RMP counts as a rule under the Congressional Review Act, opening a fast-track rep https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-staircase-escalante/ grand-staircase-escalante-2026-01-15-14350505 GAO rules the 2025 RMP counts as a rule under the Congressional Review Act, opening a fast-track repeal window. 2026-01-15 Red Desert / Rock Springs Resource Management Plan: Extended scoping comment period closes. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/red-desert-rock-springs/ red-desert-rock-springs-2025-12-18-7859494 Extended scoping comment period closes. 2025-12-18 Red Desert / Rock Springs Resource Management Plan: Comment period extended 45 days. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/red-desert-rock-springs/ red-desert-rock-springs-2025-11-06-7446712 Comment period extended 45 days. 2025-11-06 Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Greater Chaco Landscape): Interior Department begins tribal consultation on reversing PLO 7923. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/chaco-culture/ chaco-culture-2025-10-30-14798500 Interior Department begins tribal consultation on reversing PLO 7923. 2025-10-30 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: Interior reinstates the Coastal Plain leasing program across the full 1.56 million acres. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2025-10-23-15284841 Interior reinstates the Coastal Plain leasing program across the full 1.56 million acres. 2025-10-23 Tongass National Forest (2001 Roadless Rule Rescission): USDA Secretary Rollins announces intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule nationwide, including the https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/tongass-roadless-rule/ tongass-roadless-rule-2025-06-23-5740693 USDA Secretary Rollins announces intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule nationwide, including the Tongass. 2025-06-23 Pacific Marine National Monuments (Papahānaumokuākea, Pacific Islands Heritage, Mariana Trench, Rose Atoll): Earthjustice files Kāpaʻa v. Trump challenging Proclamation 10918. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/pacific-marine-monuments/ pacific-marine-monuments-2025-05-22-1671083 Earthjustice files Kāpaʻa v. Trump challenging Proclamation 10918. 2025-05-22 Pacific Marine National Monuments (Papahānaumokuākea, Pacific Islands Heritage, Mariana Trench, Rose Atoll): Trump signs Proclamation 10918 opening Pacific Islands Heritage monument to commercial fishing. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/pacific-marine-monuments/ pacific-marine-monuments-2025-04-17-10057975 Trump signs Proclamation 10918 opening Pacific Islands Heritage monument to commercial fishing. 2025-04-17 Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine (Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, Grand Canyon region): Ore hauling resumes following Navajo Nation discussions. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-canyon-pinyon-plain/ grand-canyon-pinyon-plain-2025-02-12-11414187 Ore hauling resumes following Navajo Nation discussions. 2025-02-12 Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine (Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, Grand Canyon region): ADEQ issues the mine's Individual Aquifer Protection Program Permit. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-canyon-pinyon-plain/ grand-canyon-pinyon-plain-2024-07-31-16741785 ADEQ issues the mine's Individual Aquifer Protection Program Permit. 2024-07-31 Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine (Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, Grand Canyon region): Energy Fuels voluntarily pauses ore transport after two shipments, pending Navajo Nation discussions https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-canyon-pinyon-plain/ grand-canyon-pinyon-plain-2024-07-30-14787585 Energy Fuels voluntarily pauses ore transport after two shipments, pending Navajo Nation discussions. 2024-07-30 Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine (Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, Grand Canyon region): First ore removed to the surface. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-canyon-pinyon-plain/ grand-canyon-pinyon-plain-2024-01-08-4782036 First ore removed to the surface. 2024-01-08 Pinyon Plain Uranium Mine (Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument, Grand Canyon region): Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument designated at tribal request; mine again grandfathered https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/grand-canyon-pinyon-plain/ grand-canyon-pinyon-plain-2023-08-08-7688119 Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni National Monument designated at tribal request; mine again grandfathered in. 2023-08-08 Tongass National Forest (2001 Roadless Rule Rescission): Biden administration repeals the Alaska-specific exemption, restoring standard roadless protection t https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/tongass-roadless-rule/ tongass-roadless-rule-2023-01-27-8672133 Biden administration repeals the Alaska-specific exemption, restoring standard roadless protection to the Tongass. 2023-01-27 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): Twin Metals releases its Mine Plan of Operations. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2019-12-18-525135 Twin Metals releases its Mine Plan of Operations. 2019-12-18 Bears Ears National Monument: President Obama designates Bears Ears National Monument at 1.36 million acres. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2016-12-28-9733502 President Obama designates Bears Ears National Monument at 1.36 million acres. 2016-12-28 Big Bend National Park: Big Bend National Park officially established by act of Congress, signed by FDR. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-1944-06-12-11502014 Big Bend National Park officially established by act of Congress, signed by FDR. 1944-06-12 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: Interior designates 9.8 million acres as the Arctic National Wildlife Range. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-1960-15051922 Interior designates 9.8 million acres as the Arctic National Wildlife Range. 1960 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: ANILCA expands the refuge and restricts Coastal Plain oil and gas activity absent congressional auth https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-1980-13656713 ANILCA expands the refuge and restricts Coastal Plain oil and gas activity absent congressional authorization. 1980 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mandates at least two Coastal Plain lease sales within 10 years. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2017-12-4542433 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act mandates at least two Coastal Plain lease sales within 10 years. 2017-12 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: First Coastal Plain lease sale held; 437,804 acres leased, mostly to AIDEA. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2021-01-14350265 First Coastal Plain lease sale held; 437,804 acres leased, mostly to AIDEA. 2021-01 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: Biden Executive Order 13990 pauses Coastal Plain leasing activity. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2021 (early)-8589131 Biden Executive Order 13990 pauses Coastal Plain leasing activity. 2021 (early) Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: Federal court strikes down cancellation of remaining leases. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2025-03-9648057 Federal court strikes down cancellation of remaining leases. 2025-03 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — Coastal Plain: One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandates four additional lease sales through 2035. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/arctic-refuge/ arctic-refuge-2025-07-1026240 One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandates four additional lease sales through 2035. 2025-07 Bears Ears National Monument: First Trump administration cuts the monument by roughly 85%. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2017-12-756313 First Trump administration cuts the monument by roughly 85%. 2017-12 Bears Ears National Monument: President Biden fully restores the monument's original boundaries. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2021-10-3960479 President Biden fully restores the monument's original boundaries. 2021-10 Bears Ears National Monument: EPA bars White Mesa Mill from accepting Superfund radioactive waste after an 'egregious' violation. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2025-13494008 EPA bars White Mesa Mill from accepting Superfund radioactive waste after an 'egregious' violation. 2025 Bears Ears National Monument: Tenth Circuit returns related litigation to district court for further review. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2026-06-13332861 Tenth Circuit returns related litigation to district court for further review. 2026-06 Bears Ears National Monument: House Democrats open insider-trading investigation into Energy Fuels executives' stock purchases. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/bears-ears/ bears-ears-2026-08-7381569 House Democrats open insider-trading investigation into Energy Fuels executives' stock purchases. 2026-08 Big Bend National Park: DHS waives nearly 30 federal environmental/cultural laws for a ~150-mile West Texas barrier project https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-02-11302718 DHS waives nearly 30 federal environmental/cultural laws for a ~150-mile West Texas barrier project initially including the park. 2026-02 Big Bend National Park: Advocacy groups file suit challenging the legality of the waivers; over 2,000 protest at the Texas C https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-04-1172379 Advocacy groups file suit challenging the legality of the waivers; over 2,000 protest at the Texas Capitol. 2026-04 Big Bend National Park: Big Bend 1/2/3 contracts (~175 miles, Hudspeth/Jeff Davis/Presidio counties) awarded to Barnard Cons https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/big-bend/ big-bend-2026-05-3117369 Big Bend 1/2/3 contracts (~175 miles, Hudspeth/Jeff Davis/Presidio counties) awarded to Barnard Construction and Fisher Sand and Gravel, totaling roughly $3.16 billion. 2026-05 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): Original Twin Metals mineral leases (MNES-01352, MNES-01353) issued; last renewed 2004. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-1966-12801731 Original Twin Metals mineral leases (MNES-01352, MNES-01353) issued; last renewed 2004. 1966 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): Antofagasta acquires Twin Metals from Duluth Metals after a 2014 disclosure showed a weak ~10% proje https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2014-5656972 Antofagasta acquires Twin Metals from Duluth Metals after a 2014 disclosure showed a weak ~10% projected rate of return. 2014 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): Obama administration declines to renew the leases. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2016-13619385 Obama administration declines to renew the leases. 2016 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): First Trump administration reinstates the leases, later found to have done so unlawfully. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2018-5040516 First Trump administration reinstates the leases, later found to have done so unlawfully. 2018 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): Biden administration formally cancels the leases, citing acid mine drainage risk. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2022-01-6572104 Biden administration formally cancels the leases, citing acid mine drainage risk. 2022-01 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): 20-year mineral withdrawal ordered across ~225,000 acres of Superior National Forest. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2023-01-3604613 20-year mineral withdrawal ordered across ~225,000 acres of Superior National Forest. 2023-01 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Superior National Forest watershed): DOI Deputy Secretary MacGregor signs memo reversing 2022 legal opinion invalidating the leases. https://publiclandswatch.org/sites/boundary-waters/ boundary-waters-2026 (date TBD)-3792058 DOI Deputy Secretary MacGregor signs memo reversing 2022 legal opinion invalidating the leases. 2026 (date TBD)