President Trump May Strip U.S. Parks Of Federal Protection

On April 26, 2017, Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing the Director of the Interior, Ryan Ziske, to assess any National Monument created since January 1, 1996 that covers at least 100,000 acres. In doing this, Trump stated that he hopes the review will, “end another egregious use of government power.”

What Trump is referring to is a 1906 law called The Antiquities Act. This law allows any sitting president to take action to protect national, historic or cultural resources on land owned by the federal government. Upon signing the order, Trump stated, “The Antiquities Act does not give the federal government unlimited power to lock up millions of acres of land and water, and it’s time that we ended this abusive practice.”

One national monument that Trump is especially eager to shrink is the 1.35 million acre Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. Former president Barack Obama made this area a national monument last December despite opposition by GOP Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and GOP Governor of Utah, Gary Herbert. Trump stated that he believes that the decision on how to use the land surrounding national monuments should fall directly to the states and the people living nearby.

Said Trump, “I’ve spoken with many state and local leaders, a number of them here today, who care very much about preserving our land and who are gravely concerned about this massive federal land grab. And now we’re going to free it up, which is what should have happened in the first place."

Considering the fact that Trump made a campaign promise to increase areas for gas and oil extraction, the order is very concerning to environmentalists and other groups that wish to preserve our national monuments. Shaun Chapoose of the Ute Indian Tribe issued a statement saying in part, “Bears Ears National Monument is more than just mere federal land to us, as it may be to many other stakeholders — it is a living landscape; it has a pulse. It is offensive for politicians to call the Bears Ears National Monument ‘an abuse.’ ”

Amy Roberts, Outdoor Industry Association Executive Director, said in an interview that the members of her organization are “concerned” about any changes in our national monuments. “We will participate in that process and make the argument for why these monuments have supported local communities and their economic vitality.”

Zinke said that, as part of his assessment of national monuments, he will take into consideration whether the creation of the monument led to “loss of jobs, reduced wages and reduced public access. Some of these areas were put off-limits for traditional uses, like farming, ranching, timber harvest, mining, oil and gas exploration, fishing, and motorized recreation.”

Any attempts to change our national monuments are sure to be met with both legal and political battles. In the meantime, we should all contact the state legislators and governors of the 25 national monuments effected by the order to show our support for keeping the monuments intact. Also, if you haven't visited these beautiful areas yet, now would be the time to do so...just in case.

This USA TODAY article lists the 25 national monuments under threat.

The post President Trump May Strip U.S. Parks Of Federal Protection appeared first on tentree.