The attack on our National Monuments did not end last December with President Trump’s unprecedented attempt to shrink Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments by two million acres. Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would codify the changes Trump made in December. To be clear, Congress has always had the authority to change National Monument boundaries, or rescind their designation entirely but in the past Congress has had little interest in removing protections for popular National Monuments.
The Conservation Alliance strongly opposes three bills currently introduced into the House of Representatives. Two of the bills – HR 4532 and HR 4558 – would make Trump’s boundary changes to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante the law of the land. The third, HR 3990, would eviscerate the Antiquities Act, the law Presidents have used since 1906 to designate National Monuments. (We have the Antiquities Act to thank for first protecting the Grand Canyon, Devil’s Tower, Zion, Joshua Tree, and Muir Woods, among other special landscapes).
To read more about these House bills continuing the assault on our public lands. Read the full recap here.
Fortunately, it is hard to pass bills through Congress and it seems these bills have stalled in the House. The Conservation Alliance has teamed up with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers to deliver a letter opposing the three bills to House Natural Resources Committee Chair Rob Bishop.
Join us in this letter by adding your voice below.
TAKE ACTION: Defend Utah’s National Monuments
