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Bill Gives States, Local Governments, Congress a Voice

The Resources Committee Approved the National Monument Fairness Act 23-18 (20 Mar 2002)

Washington, D.C. - The House Resources Committee today approved H.R. 2114, the National Monument Fairness Act, which amends the Antiquities Act of 1906 to require the President of the United States to solicit public comment and consult with the governor and the congressional delegation of impacted states at least 60 days before the creation of any national monument.

Congress has two years to approve the creation of national monuments in excess of 50,000. If Congress does not approve the monument in that time, the federal land reverts back to its prior use.

Sponsor Michael Simpson, R-ID:

"Receiving committee endorsement is the first step in bringing more attention to the national monument designation process. This legislation is not about preventing monuments, but creating a process by which national monument decisions can be arrived at openly, with public participation and state and local government consultation," said Simpson. "Allowing the public and Congress a seat at the table strengthens, not weakens, the Antiquities Act and ensures all parties have a voice in the debate. An open public process is the first step in sound policy decision-making. I look forward to a spirited debate on the House floor."

Chairman James V. Hansen:

"Amending the Antiquities Act to prevent presidential abuse has been one of my top priorities ever since former President Bill Clinton created a 1.7 million acre monument in my state without consulting anyone. I was appalled at that abuse of power. He continued to abuse the Antiquities Act until the moment he left office. That should never be allowed to happen again.

"This bill gives people a voice in what happens to federal lands in their own backyards. We have a process for creating federal parks, recreation areas, wilderness and scenic rivers. That process gives people and their elected representatives a chance to give input into any proposal for the use of these federal lands.

"That's not the case with national monuments. Right now, a president can wake up one morning and lock up millions of acres of public land into a national monument with a simple declaration and the stroke of pen.

"He can even lock up people's private property in those monuments. In Montana, 80,000 acres of people's backyards, ranches, pastures and other private land are locked up in Bill Clinton's Upper Missouri Breaks Monument. The people who own these lands are left without recourse.

"That flies in the face of democracy. This bill gives the public, governors, local leaders and Congress a voice in the creation of future national monuments. It prevents forever the abuses we endured under Bill Clinton."