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Congressman Devin Nunes today introduced legislation that will limit the unchecked Presidential power related to the designation of new national monuments.

“A Congressional review of the National Monument designation process is long overdue and reforms are clearly needed to protect the public interest.  The political exploitation of current law to impose draconian regulations on public lands and to lock up our nation’s vast natural resources must end,” said Rep. Nunes.

Presidential power to establish National Monuments on federals lands flows from The Antiquities Act of 1906 – a law that was enacted in response to fears of the destruction and theft of U.S. archaeological sites and treasures.  In the more than 100 years that has passed since its creation, the Act has been used on a much grander scale by both Democratic and Republican administrations.  Today, there are 71 National Monuments located in 26 states, covering some 136 million acres.

National Monument designations result in severe restrictions on public lands, resulting in economic devastation to surrounding communities that have historically relied on the resources yielded by these lands.

"I have witnessed firsthand how devastating a politically driven monument designation can be to communities and individuals.  In California, the timber industry has been driven to near extinction thanks largely to the actions of former President Bill Clinton,” said Rep. Nunes.

President Clinton designated 5.9 million acres, including vast swaths of the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests, as protected monuments.  The economic impact was swift and devastating with mill closures alone causing nearly 60,000 lost jobs.
 
“The bill that I introduced today will improve The Antiquities Act by limiting the President’s unfettered discretion and ensuring a more inclusive designation process,” said Rep. Nunes.

The Nunes legislation comes on the heels of a leaked Department of Interior memo, which detail an Obama Administration plan to designate or expand monuments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Washington.

If enacted, the bill would restore Congress’ authority over monument designations by requiring the legislative branch to approve new National Monuments within two years of establishment. Failing Congressional approval, new monuments would revert to their previous status. The bill would also ensure that any restrictions placed on public lands are narrowly tailored and essential to the proper care and management of the objects protected by a monument designation.

The following organizations have agreed to support this bill: American Sheep Industry Association, Arizona Wool Growers Association, California Forestry Association, California Wool Growers Association, Colorado Wool Growers Association, Idaho Wool Growers Association, Independent Oil Producers Association, Montana Wool Growers Association, National Association of Counties, Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada Wool Growers Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, New Mexico Federal Lands Council, New Mexico Wool Growers, Inc., Northern New Mexico Stockmen’s Association, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Oregon Sheep Growers Association, South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association, Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers Association, Utah Cattlemen’s Association, Utah Wool Growers Association, Washington State Sheep Producers, and Wyoming Wool Growers Association.