A Democratic congressman from Wisconsin believes President Trump is making a big mistake by breaking up two national monuments in Utah, including Bears Ears National Monument/BLM

Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin very likely is taking nothing more than a figurative Theodore Roosevelt stand against President Trump in opposing the president's move to break up two national monuments in Utah.

After all, Rep. Kind is a Democrat and Wisconsin, albeit barely, voted for President Trump in the 2016 election, and the GOP controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate. 

Still, the congressman, who has represented Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District since 1997, believes President Trump is making a big mistake by lopping 1 million acres, collectively, from Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments.

"As an avid outdoorsman, hunter and father of two boys, I believe, as do many Americans, that our National Park System and public lands play an important role in strengthening family relationships and traditions," Mr. Kind wrote in an op-ed column that ran in the Wisconsin State Journal the other day. "Sadly, it appears the Trump administration doesn’t share this belief."

"We should all be concerned by the precedent that shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments sets," he noted a bit later. "What will happen if next the Trump administration decides, without our input, to shrink the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge? The consequences that would have on Wisconsin’s environment and the economy would be disastrous.

"When Teddy Roosevelt expanded the national forests during his presidency, he understood that these parks were ecological treasures that were in danger of being lost for future generations. Some of my best memories come from spending time with my family in the backcountry of a national park, unplugging from technology, sleeping under the stars, and being surrounded by awe-inspiring natural beauty.

"At a time when we are becoming more and more tribal and divided, experiencing our public lands can act as a great equalizer. When you are out exploring, there is no Republican or Democrat -- just enjoyment and camaraderie, and we can’t afford to lose any of the few remaining places where this is true."

Whether President Trump's actions stand up remains to be seen, as at least five lawsuits have been filed challenging his move. The challenges range from arguing that presidents can only add national monuments through The Antiquities Act, not change existing ones; that development that could follow on the landscapes the president is trying to remove from Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante could damage or destroy archaeological and paleontological resources; and that sensitive, threatened, or endangered species could be adversely impacted.

Rep. Kind, co-chair of the Congressional National Parks Caucus, said he would "continue to fight against the destruction of our national parks and support initiatives that preserve our parks and public lands for future generations," though he did not specify how in his column. 

The Traveler will reach out to Mr. Kind for his thoughts on blocking President Trump's actions when Congress goes back into session.