On June 5, 2003, Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) along with 14 co-sponsors reintroduced the ill-named "National Monument Fairness Act." The measure (H.R.2386) would require that prior to proclaiming any monument greater than 50,000 acres in size that the President solicit written comments from that state's Governor. It also would require Congress to affirmatively approve the new Monument designation within 2 years of the Presidents' proclamation. If Congress does not act, then the new Monument would revert to its former land management status. The bill has been referred to the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands. A similar measure was introduced in the 107th Congress and approved by the full House Resources Committee, however, it never reached the House floor for a vote.
Background
The Antiquities Act of 1906 gives the President the authority to proclaim federal lands as National Monuments. These designations have occurred because areas were threatened or there were opportunities and interest to protect lands with unique qualities for future generations. The first National Monument was created by President Theodore Roosevelt to protect Devils Tower in Wyoming. Popular National Parks that were first protected as National Monuments include the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Joshua Tree in California, and the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. Nearly every President since Teddy Roosevelt has used their authority under the Antiquities Act to protect new areas of public land that hold great natural, cultural and/or historic interest.
President Clinton proclaimed 19 new National Monuments during his tenure, including Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante, the Sequoias of California and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. These and other monuments now make up the National Landscape Conservation System administered through the Department of Interior. The units within the NLCS are on par with the National Park System and represent some of our country's finest wilderness-quality lands.
Despite the popular support many of the new monuments enjoy, a number of western Republican lawmakers have called their designation a "land grab" and have been working to limit the power of the President to use the Antiquities Act to protect federal public land in the future.
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