In the ongoing battle over public lands, President Donald Trump has once again ignited a firestorm with his decision to reduce the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah. This move, reminiscent of his first term, is a direct challenge to the Antiquities Act, a century-old law that grants presidents the power to protect areas of cultural, historic, or scientific significance.
The back-and-forth between Trump and his successor, President Joe Biden, highlights the deeply divisive nature of national monument management. While Trump's actions may seem unprecedented, they are, in fact, part of a long history of presidential interventions in the preservation of these sacred sites.
A Tale of Two Presidents
During his first term, Trump made only a handful of proclamations under the Antiquities Act, but two of these had a significant impact on Utah's natural wonders. He reduced the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments, which encompass not only breathtaking landscapes but also sites of immense cultural and spiritual value to Native American tribes.
In contrast, Biden's first act under the Antiquities Act was to restore the original boundaries of these monuments, citing their rich cultural and prehistoric legacy. He also established ten new monuments, including sites of racial significance, such as the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois, and a monument honoring Mamie Till-Mobley and her son, Emmett Till, a tragic symbol of racial injustice.
The Legal Battle
Environmental groups argue that the Antiquities Act is a one-way street, allowing presidents to create monuments but not undo them. However, history tells a different story. Since 1912, presidents have issued over a dozen proclamations that diminished national monuments.
Woodrow Wilson, for instance, reduced the size of Mount Olympus National Park (now Olympic National Park) by half. Harry Truman did the same for Santa Rosa Island National Monument. But it was Dwight Eisenhower who was most active in undoing his predecessors' work, diminishing six monuments, including Arches, Great Sand Dunes, and Glacier Bay, all of which later became national parks.
The Power of Designation
National monuments are distinct from national parks and forests in that they are primarily created by presidential proclamation, rather than by congressional action. They are governed by various agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A national monument designation provides comprehensive protection, not just for significant geological features or artifacts, but for the entire surrounding landscape. This means banning activities like drilling, mining, and new construction. Critics of the Utah monument downsizing argue that the protective boundaries were too expansive and hindered mining for critical minerals.
A Legacy of Protection
The Antiquities Act, signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt, was a response to the rampant commercial looting and haphazard collecting of artifacts that threatened cultural and natural resources. It was the first law of its kind in the United States, establishing legal protections for these valuable sites.
Roosevelt's first use of the act was to designate Devils Tower in Wyoming as a national monument. This giant rock butte, later popularized by the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," is a geological wonder with deep cultural significance for Native American tribes who conduct ceremonies there.
Since Roosevelt, all but three presidents have used the Antiquities Act to protect unique landscapes and cultural resources, demonstrating the enduring importance of this law in preserving our nation's heritage.
Conclusion
The ongoing debate over national monuments is a microcosm of the larger struggle for the management and preservation of public lands. While presidents have the power to shape these landscapes, the long-term health and accessibility of these sites for future generations remain a critical concern. As we navigate these complex issues, it's essential to remember the cultural, historical, and scientific value these monuments hold, and the role they play in shaping our national identity.
