National Monument Fairness Act

(Introduced by the Executive Committee)

WHEREAS, on September 8, 1996 President Clinton invoked the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah; and

WHEREAS, this designation of 1.8965 million acres violates both the spirit and letter of the Antiquities Act which requires that Presidential use of the Antiquities Act be confined to the smallest area "necessary to preserve and protect historical areas or objects", and

WHEREAS, the Antiquities Act of 1906 grants authority to the President of the United States to establish national monuments; and

WHEREAS, the Antiquities Act was intended to preserve only historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures and other objects of historic or scientific interest; and

WHEREAS, the President ignored repeated requests to work through the legislative processes already in place under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 to determine areas appropriate for designation as wilderness and national areas and national monuments; and

WHEREAS, the President ignored repeated requests from Utah’s political leadership to negotiate a compromise; and

WHEREAS, the creation of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument has resulted in the loss of significant economic resources for the public schools of the State of Utah; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Executive Committee of CSG-WEST that Congress adopt HR 1127 "National Monument Fairness Act" which amends the Antiquities Act to require congressional approval of any monument designation in excess of 5,000 acres and requiring notice and negotiation with state government.

ADOPTED BY THE CSG-WEST EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON 12/5/98.