“President Biden’s decision to expand the monuments is disappointing, though not surprising. For the past 10 months, we have consistently offered to work with the Biden Administration on a permanent, legislative solution, one that would end the perpetual enlarging and shrinking of these monuments and bring certainty to their management. Our goal has been to make lasting progress on managing our public lands for the benefit of all those who use them, particularly those who live on and near those lands. We expected and hoped for closer collaboration between our state and national leaders, especially on matters that directly impact Utah and our citizens. The president’s decision to enlarge the monuments again is a tragic missed opportunity — it fails to provide certainty as well as the funding for law enforcement, research, and other protections which the monuments need and which only Congressional action can offer.” — Utah delegation in letter to Biden administration against expanding Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments
In Episode 220 of District of Conservation, Gabriella revisits national monument designations in wake of the Biden administration’s decision to restore three sites to pre-Trump levels. Learn about the response from Utah, what the Antiquities Act allows, and how national monuments can, ironically, keep sportsmen and women out if few stakeholders are involved.
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SHOW NOTES
White House Fact Sheet – October 7th | January 2021 Executive Order
Utah Delegation Letter Challenging Biden Administration
EP 140: Understanding National Monument Designations
Antiquities Act of 1906 | Brookings Institution, AEI pieces on presidential authority