Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2011

CONTACT: Hannah Loy 202-225-2315

Gosar Calls for Transparency in National Monument Designation Process

Today, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands held a hearing on legislation to prohibit new, unilateral national monument designations.  In the hearing, the committee discussed legislation Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-01) and Congressman Jeff Flake (AZ-06) introduced last week, H.R. 2877 the Arizona Land Sovereignty Act, among other legislative options targeted at reforming the Antiquities Act of 1906.

An excerpt from Congressman Gosar’s Opening Statement:

“Without a doubt, many of the existing national monuments are extremely valuable natural and historic treasures.  Nine national monuments, with major contributions to our tourism economy, are located in Arizona’s First Congressional District. Many of them draw in visitors to hike, hunt, camp, or recreate around the monuments.  My district’s economy has a significant services component tied to tourist sites like the Grand Canyon National Park and some of these national monuments.  I appreciate the need for the protection of these sites; however, the public deserves the opportunity to have their voices heard on any land designation that may restrict our right to access.” 

“Legislation I introduced alongside Congressman Jeff Flake (AZ-06), H.R. 2877, and many of the other bills being discussed today will ensure that the designation of national monuments has an open and transparent process.  By ensuring no further extension or establishment of national monuments in Arizona can be done without the authorization of Congress, we would ensure the public gets to be a part of land designations that affect them.” 

In general, the ability to set aside federal lands rested has with Congress; however the presidential power to establish national monuments on federals lands was established via The Antiquities Act of 1906.  The law was enacted over concerns about protecting mostly prehistoric Indian ruins and artifacts—collectively termed "antiquities "—on federal lands in the West.  By definition, the sites were to be very small—“the smallest area compatible”—with preserving the antiquity, not millions of acres.  Since given this power, many Presidents, Republicans and Democrats, have abused it. Today, there are over 100 National Monuments located in 26 states, covering some 136 million acres.

In 1950, Congress passed a law that prohibited the future establishment of national monuments in Wyoming except as authorized by Congress. The Gosar-Flake legislation would provide Arizonans the same right to review and engage in decisions involving designations of national monuments.

Congressman Flake previously served on the House Committee on Natural Resources, the committee with jurisdiction over matters related to national monuments, introduced similar legislation, H.R. 4814, in the 111th Congress.  Congressman Gosar currently serves on the Natural Resources Committee in the 112th Congress.”

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