Today, House Republicans are continuing their unprecedented attacks on our special places – including the redrock canyon country of southern Utah.  This time, they’re going after the Antiquities Act, which gives the President the authority to designate national monuments.  In fact, one bill won’t do – today, they’re taking testimony on five separate bills, including one from Rep. Rob Bishop, which would place Utah off limits to any future national monument designations.  This short-sighted proposal removes the President’s most important conservation tool.  Please urge your member of Congress to oppose this attack on our national monuments.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.  Copyright James Kay.

In Utah, the crown jewels of the National Park System were originally national monuments and when Arches was first designated, locals and the Congressional delegation alike cried bloody murder.  Today, you’d get the same reaction if anyone tried to undo the protections afforded by Arches, Zion and Bryce – all first protected under the authority of the Antiquities Act.  And with the intervening 15 years, Utahns, including local residents, now appreciate the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, designated in 1996.  For as Headwaters Economics pointed out, the economies of gateway towns like Kanab, Boulder and Escalante have shown sustained growth since the designation.  National monuments are not only good for the land, they are good for local communities as well.

House Republicans want to take away the best administrative tool to protect the redrock country from oil & gas drilling, mining and off-road vehicle abuse.  But with your help, we can stop them.  Please take a moment to contact your member of Congress today and ask him/her to oppose the next assault of the Great Outdoors Giveaway.