Agricultural News
Livestock Groups Support Antiquities Legislation
Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:23:03 CSTThe Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the American Sheep Industry Association, and 28 other livestock groups have sent letters supporting legislation to amend the Antiquities Act to require oversight in the national monument designation process. The legislation, S. 407 and H.R. 758, would require the administration to seek congressional approval before designating future monuments. The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Mike Crapo and 8 other senators and in the U.S. House by Devin Nunes and 19 other representatives.
According to NCBA president Bill Donald, the Antiquities Act was meant to protect "historic landmarks" and "objects of historic or scientific interest." However, he said over the years, presidents have aggressively used the Antiquities Act to designate as monuments millions of acres of land across the western United States much of it with unexceptional "historic or scientific" value.
The legislation would allow the president to designate only "the smallest area essential to ensure the proper care and management of the objects to be protected." Additionally, the bills would establish procedures for the designation of monuments, including a public comment period; public hearings; and a report to Congress outlining the designation's impact on the local economy, national energy security, and other uses associated with the land.
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