A proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would have encroached on the president’s authority to establish national monuments on public land. It was withdrawn, but similar efforts can be expected in the future.
This type of threat to the Antiquities Act is why I was in Washington, D.C., recently visiting U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner and Rep. Scott Tipton to thank them for their support of our newest monuments – Chimney Rock and Brown’s Canyon. The Antiquities Act, passed in 1906 to protect cultural resources and areas sacred to American Indians, authorizes the president to designate national monuments (which Congress also can do).
These designations are important for preserving our lands and heritage, providing Coloradans with economic and recreational opportunities, and giving tourists from around the world the opportunity to experience some of America’s best scenery and history. More important, national monuments protect areas that are sacred to American Indians. Creating national monuments is critical to maintaining our Colorado way of life, and I am proud that we can count on the support of our Colorado delegation to protect public lands and support the creation of national monuments.
Deborah Gangloff, president and CEO of Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Cortez
