NM group backs Antiquities Act 2018
Candidate for governor Lujan Grisham, tribal leaders aim to protect lands
In an attempt to fight back at President Donald Trump’s “unprecedented attack on public lands,” Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., joined with tribal, conservation and community leaders at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on Monday to throw their collective support behind the Antiquities Act of 2018.
The legislation, introduced earlier this year by New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall and 18 other Democratic senators, is intended to enhance protections for national monuments against potential future attacks by the Trump Administration, Lujan Grisham said in a news release. The act will also preserve “opportunities for hunting, tourism, scientific research, conservation and cultural uses,” she said.
In a statement released previously by Udall, the senator said: “President Trump’s unprecedented attack on public lands is not just an affront to the overwhelming majority of Americans who cherish these precious places — it’s also illegal. This legislation makes it crystal clear that monuments designated through the Antiquities Act of 1906 may not be altered by future presidents because only Congress has the authority to change a national monument designation.”
Those meeting Monday included Todd Leahy, acting executive director of New Mexico Wildlife Federation; Carleton Bowekaty, Zuni Pueblo councilman and co-chair of the Bears Ears InterTribal Coalition; and Gov. Kurt Riley of Acoma Pueblo, representing the All Pueblo Council of Governors. They all declared their support for:
Upholding Congress’ support of 51 national monuments established by presidents in both parties between January 1996 and April 2017.
Reiterating existing law that makes clear that presidential proclamations designating national monuments are valid and can be reduced or diminished only by an act of Congress.
Requiring monuments be surveyed and mapped, and that management plans be completed in two years.
Expanding protection for the Bears Ears National Monument to over 1.9 million acres, based on the lands identified in the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition’s proposal that would protect the full array of over 100,000 cultural and archaeological sites.
Designating over 249,000 acres of land as wilderness within Rio Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains national monuments.
Designating over 111,000 acres of land as wilderness in Gold Butte National Monument.