President Donald Trump announced Monday he would drastically shrink two national monuments created by previous administrations—a move that pleased energy and agriculture groups but angered the outdoor industry.

The Bear Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah encompass nearly 2 million acres combined. At the urging of conservative lawmakers, Trump announced he would use his presidential authority to shrink Bear Ears by 85 percent and Grand Staircase-Escalante by 46 percent, the Washington Post reported.

Former President Barack Obama created Bear Ears, and former President Bill Clinton created Grand Staircase-Escalante. Both presidents cited their authority under the Antiquities Act, but business groups representing natural resource extraction and ranching interests have long claimed that such power constitutes federal overreach.

"We are grateful that today's action will allow ranchers to resume their role as responsible stewards of the land and drivers of rural economies," said Craig Uden, president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. "Going forward, it is critical that we reform the Antiquities Act to ensure that those whose livelihoods and communities depend on the land have a voice in federal land management decisions." http://bit.ly/2inSJtq

Trump's decision generated fierce criticism from manufacturers and retailers of outdoor recreation equipment and clothing. Outdoor manufacturer Patagonia threatened to sue to reverse the rollback while retailer REI issued a statement condemning the decision. The Outdoor Industry Association urged people to contact their members of Congress to oppose Trump's actions.

"This decision is part of a long pattern of attacks against public lands and will harm hundreds of local Utah communities and businesses, will stifle millions of dollars in annual economic activity and threatens thousands of jobs in the region," OIA said in a statement. http://bit.ly/2jTV7s7

Conservation and Native American groups have promised to challenge Trump's decision in court. Joining them will be the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, which said the loss of federal protections put significant fossil sites at risk. http://bit.ly/2AwH2c9

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