YellowSub1962
01-23-2002, 09:41 PM
H.R. 2114 National Monument Fairness Act of 2001
House Subcommittee on National Parks Recreation and Public Lands, approved a bill (H.R.2114) on July 31 which "…preserves the President's ability to protect those special areas of historical or scientific interest that are less than 50,000 acres and deserving of monument designation, while providing Congress with the power to conduct appropriate oversight over declarations involving greater expanses of land."
The Act revises what is known as the Antiquities Act of 1906, which grants the President the power to designate national monuments. In the early 1900's, there were very few laws available to protect lands and other historic resources, and the adoption of the Antiquities Act of 1906 was in response to this need. Since that time, however, Congress has passed numerous other laws that give the Congress and the Executive Branch specific tools to protect the nation's natural resources.
The bill (H.R. 2114), approved on a voice vote, would require that the President consult with the governor and congressional delegation of a state before making any designation under the 1906 Antiquities Act. It would also require congressional approval within two years of the designation of any monument larger than 50,000 acres. Should congressional approval of a designation not be attained within the two-year period, the land returns to its original use and status. This provision, however, would only apply to monuments designated after the bill's enactment.
According to Rep. Michael Simpson (R-ID) who sponsored the bill, H.R. 2114 responds directly to the concerns of many people who believe the recent rash of presidential declarations have misused or abused the Antiquities Act and been contrary to the original intent of Congress.
Scott Riebel
Director of Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations
www.ufwda.org
:usa:
House Subcommittee on National Parks Recreation and Public Lands, approved a bill (H.R.2114) on July 31 which "…preserves the President's ability to protect those special areas of historical or scientific interest that are less than 50,000 acres and deserving of monument designation, while providing Congress with the power to conduct appropriate oversight over declarations involving greater expanses of land."
The Act revises what is known as the Antiquities Act of 1906, which grants the President the power to designate national monuments. In the early 1900's, there were very few laws available to protect lands and other historic resources, and the adoption of the Antiquities Act of 1906 was in response to this need. Since that time, however, Congress has passed numerous other laws that give the Congress and the Executive Branch specific tools to protect the nation's natural resources.
The bill (H.R. 2114), approved on a voice vote, would require that the President consult with the governor and congressional delegation of a state before making any designation under the 1906 Antiquities Act. It would also require congressional approval within two years of the designation of any monument larger than 50,000 acres. Should congressional approval of a designation not be attained within the two-year period, the land returns to its original use and status. This provision, however, would only apply to monuments designated after the bill's enactment.
According to Rep. Michael Simpson (R-ID) who sponsored the bill, H.R. 2114 responds directly to the concerns of many people who believe the recent rash of presidential declarations have misused or abused the Antiquities Act and been contrary to the original intent of Congress.
Scott Riebel
Director of Environmental Affairs
United Four Wheel Drive Associations
www.ufwda.org
:usa: