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Antiquities Act Legislative Information

For Immediate Release
Date: March 22, 2016
Contact: Steven D. Smith
Steven.Smith@mail.house.gov

Rep. Gosar Spearheads House Effort to Prevent Presidential Abuse of Antiquities Act

  “The president, regardless of political affiliation, should not have the authority to designate millions of acres of land without local public input”

  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after submitting a language request to the House Appropriations Committee asking it to include language that would prevent presidential abuse of the Antiquities Act:

 “During his time in office, President Obama has abused the Antiquities Act to designate or expand 22 national monuments and lock up more than three million acres of land. Shamefully, the president recently designated three new national monuments in the California desert encompassing nearly 1.8 million acres. The president, regardless of political affiliation, should not have unilateral authority to designate millions of acres of land without local public input or proper analysis.

 “Unilateral designations that circumvent Congress under the Antiquities Act typically result in devastating consequences for local communities that negatively affect their future economic prosperity. These declarations often result in some of the most restrictive land-use regulations possible and also greatly impact hunting, fishing, OHV and other recreational activities. Grazing rights, water rights, wildfire prevention and other land management activities can also be negatively impacted. I will continue to do everything in my power to block presidential overreach and prevent abuse under this outdated 1906 law.”

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