Laurel Morales/KJZZ

Former President Barack Obama designated 1.35 million acres surrounding the twin buttes known as Bears Ears just before leaving office.

Conservationists hope that President-elect Joe Biden will restore Bears Ears National Monument to its original size, but they are concerned about what has happened to the monument during the last four years.

The monument was created by President Barack Obama to protect ancient villages, burial sites and artifacts in southeast Utah.

President Donald Trump shrank the monument, and several groups sued to restore it.

While the suits have been pending, people have staked uranium mining claims. It is not clear what that will mean moving forward.

"They all sit inactive at this point, except one claim called the Easy Peasy, which is an old uranium mine that had been partially reclaimed," said Tim Peterson, of the Grand Canyon Trust.

A judge has heard arguments in the case over the monument but has yet to issue a ruling.