(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) Then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, left, and Utah Gov. Gary Herbert meet with reporters during Zinke's May 2017 tour of Bears Ears National Monument. Zinke ended up urging President Donal Trump to drastically reduce the size of the monument. Utah lawmakers also gave thousands to a nonprofit group to sue the federal government over the monument's initial designation on behalf of San Juan County. The group, known as the Foundation for Integrated Resource Management, spent the money without filing a single lawsuit.
Brian Maffly has worked for The Tribune off and on since 1994. Maffly roams Utah, covering public land and environment.