We need to prevent reckless government land grabs

By Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

The U.S. government rests on a system of checks and balances. This setup prevents any one branch from gaining too much control. Our democracy depends on openness and supervision to maintain these core ideas.

The Antiquities Act of 1906 was established to protect our nation’s historic and natural treasures by authorizing the president to designate national monuments. Originally intended to restrict such designations to the “smallest area compatible with proper care and management” of these sites, the Act sought to balance preservation with responsible land management.

Presidents from Teddy Roosevelt to Barack Obama used this power to set aside huge chunks of land. They often did this without much talk or thought about local effects. While they might have had good intentions, these choices have tipped power toward the White House and away from local communities.

Recent examples, such as President Biden blocking off nearly 1 million uranium rich acres around the Grand Canyon, underscore this trend. Uranium is critical if we are to achieve carbon-free nuclear energy. Such large-scale land designations ignore the needs of the nation and local communities. The Biden Administration has been waging an all-out-war on American energy production since day one in office; using the Antiquities Act in this manner has been helping them win that war.

The Antiquities Act was intended to protect significant sites, not to facilitate sweeping, unilateral decisions that overlook the needs and perspectives of local communities. This top-down approach undermines transparency and accountability, as decisions are made without thorough debate or consideration of their local impacts.

To address this issue, I introduced H.R. 5499, the Congressional Oversight of the Antiquities Act. This bill proposes essential reforms to restore accountability and transparency by requiring congressional approval for any presidential monument or reservation designations. Under this proposal, such designations must receive congressional approval within six months of introduction or by the end of the current congressional session, whichever comes first. If Congress does not approve, the designation cannot be reissued by the president for 25 years. This requirement ensures that significant land management decisions are subject to rigorous debate and oversight, reflecting both national interests and local concerns.

Strengthening congressional oversight is essential to maintaining a fair and balanced approach to land preservation. By ensuring that impactful decisions involve thorough congressional review, we can uphold the principles of checks and balances and ensure that all voices are heard in these crucial matters.