Congress Steps in to Address Continued Abuse of Antiquities Act

WASHINGTON (Sept. 22, 2016) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council applaud Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) for taking substantive action on the continued abuse of the Antiquities Act of 1906. These common sense bills from Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Flake (R-Ariz.) are critical to addressing the deficiencies in the existing law.

“The Antiquities Act of 1906 is simply too broad and gives too much power to the Administration,” said Ethan Lane, executive director of the PLC and NCBA federal lands. “This Administration continues to brag about President Obama’s record-setting abuse of the Act, locking up hundreds of millions of acres with the stroke of a pen. We are glad Congress is finally stepping in to provide balance and refine that authority.”

While the President has already used the Act to lock off hundreds of millions of acres of land and water, still more designations are expected by the end of this year.

Sen. Murkowski introduced S.437 Improved National Monument Designation Process Act. Sen. Flake introduced S.1416 A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to limit the authority to reserve water rights in designating a national monument.

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