Attack on the Antiquities Act

Using the authority granted to them by the Antiquities Act, American presidents have safeguarded some of America’s most beautiful landscapes, like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Death Valley. But now, Congressman Rob Bishop is leading an attack on the Antiquities Act. He aims to erect numerous hurdles that would cripple the ability of future presidents to designate national monuments. If enacted, Congressman Bishop’s legislation would gut the Antiquities Act, one of America’s best tools for preserving our national treasures.

The bill, HR 3990, the National Monument Creation and Protection Act, would impose stringent rules based on the size of the proposed monument. Monument designations between 10,000 and 85,000 acres would have to be approved by all county commissions, state legislatures and governors in an area affected by a national monument. Requiring so many diverse state and local lawmakers to agree on the monument designation is nothing more than a clever ruse. Under the guise of local control, this bill would impose such onerous requirements for approvals that it would make it virtually impossible for the President to designate any large national monuments. Furthermore, HR 3990 bars presidents from designating any marine national monuments – an egregious refusal to value underwater sites that are home to natural wonders and unique species of marine life.

The Coalition for American Heritage opposes HR 3990 and asks all Coalition members to call their lawmakers and ask them to vote against HR 3990.