Defend Habitat Protections in National Monuments
The federal Antiquities Act has been used by 16 presidents – eight Republicans and eight Democrats – to safeguard millions of acres of exceptional public lands and waters; however, the act has recently been subjected to unprecedented assaults.
On April 26, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating a review of 27 national monuments nationwide. This could directly affect fish and wildlife habitat conservation, hunting and fishing opportunities and the future management of 11.3 million acres of our public lands and waters under the Department of the Interior. Millions of citizens weighed in during a public comment period, the vast majority supporting national monuments. Details in a leaked report suggest, however, that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will be recommending reductions in size and increased industrial development on numerous national monuments, including outstanding fish and wildlife habitat that provides some of the best hunting and fishing in the nation.
Realizing that the president lacks the authority to eliminate and fundamentally alter America’s national monuments, Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah introduced legislation that would unravel the Antiquities Act and compromise some of our country’s most iconic natural wonders. The National Monument Creation and Protection Act (H.R. 3990) would literally strip science out of national monuments and severely limit designations made by presidents, including stipulating that proposed monuments larger than 640 acres be subject to a federal review process and enabling presidents to reduce or alter monuments already in existence.
As outlined in this report, when done right, the designation of national monuments can be a useful tool to safeguard important fish and wildlife habitat while maintaining traditional hunting and fishing access. Please join BHA in urging Congress to maintain habitat protections for America's national monuments.
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