The Trump administration announced new procedures to speed up oil and gas development approvals. The administration is looking to reduce the review process to 28 days, citing a national energy emergency.
The Interior Department is considering scaling back at least six national monuments, including Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, for potential mining and oil production.
Environmentalists describe the permitting measures as an attack on public involvement in decision-making regarding community-impacting projects.
Collin Rees from Oil Change International criticized the announcement as an attempt to silence the public and favor fossil fuel interests.
