Our National Monuments Need Your Voice Today

Congress needs to hear that you support a new bill to protect our national monuments—including Giant Sequoia National Monument—from actions that threaten their natural and cultural resource values. The ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 would reinforce existing laws that safeguard the status of our presidentially designated national monuments. Save the Redwoods League continues to push for the protection of all our treasured national monuments, and we need your help.

Add your voice to keep our beloved monuments intact, including the pictured Giant Sequoia National Monument. Photo by William Croft
Our national monuments, including the pictured Giant Sequoia National Monument, are at risk. Photo by William Croft.

As we wrote about last fall, our national monuments, including Giant Sequoia National Monument, are at risk of losing their protective monument status, opening them up to extractive practices, boundary reductions, and sales or transfers that are incompatible with protecting their natural, cultural, and scientific features. Then last December, President Donald Trump removed protections on more than 2 million acres of national monuments in Utah—the largest rollback of protected public lands in American history, setting a dangerous precedent for other national monuments. The good news is that momentum is growing across the country to protect our national monuments, and Congress is listening. Earlier this year, Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., as well as numerous cosponsors including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced the America’s Natural Treasures of Immeasurable Quality Unite, Inspire, and Together Improve the Economies of States (ANTIQUITIES) Act of 2019 (S. 367). U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland, D-N.M., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., introduced companion legislation in the House (HR 1050).

On March 13, Democrats on the House Committee on Natural Resources held an oversight hearing, aptly called “Forgotten Voices: The Inadequate Review and Improper Alteration of Our National Monuments.” Indigenous tribal leaders, the Utah state director of the Bureau of Land Management, and public land protection advocates gathered to revisit Trump’s presidential proclamations to remove protections on 2 million acres of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah.

At the root of the conflict is the opposition of the land transfer movement to the original Antiquities Act of 1906, which allows presidents to set aside federal lands as national monuments to protect areas of scientific, cultural, or historic interest. Once they are established, only Congress has the authority under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution to abolish or modify them. “The Antiquities Act makes it crystal clear: The president cannot just wipe away our treasured national monuments with the flick of a pen—because only Congress has the authority to change a national monument designation,” stressed Sen. Udall.

The ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 protects and enhances national monuments with three main provisions:

  • It officially declares Congress’ support for the 52 national monuments established by presidents in both parties between January 1996 and October 2018 under their authority established by the Antiquities Act of 1906. These 52 national monuments include about half of the giant sequoia groves remaining in the world that are protected within Giant Sequoia National Monument; approximately 700 acres of coast redwoods within California Coastal National Monument; and nine other monuments in California.
  • It reinforces existing law, which clearly states that presidential proclamations designating national monuments are valid and cannot be reduced, diminished, or revoked, except by an act of Congress.
  • It further enhances protections for the presidentially designated national monuments.

Contact Your Members of Congress

  1. The League continues to push for the protection of all our national monuments, and we need your help. Use your voice. Let your Senators and Representatives know that you support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019, and stand with the League to keep our monuments intact!
  2. Introduce yourself. Let your representative know where you are from and why you are reaching out.
  3. Mention your personal connection to the national monuments protected by the Antiquities Act.
  4. Consider sharing any of the talking points below that resonate with you.
  5. Please thank your members of Congress who are cosponsors for their support, and urge other members to support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019.

Talking Points:

  • I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.
  • This bill would permanently protect more than 50 of America’s treasured monuments—including Giant Sequoia National Monument, which along with other protected lands, help fuel an $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, which sustains 7.6 million American jobs.
  • This legislation preserves opportunities for hunting, tourism, scientific research, conservation, and cultural uses in national monuments and ensures monuments are properly resourced for stewardship and public access needs.
  • I hope you will stand up and defend our national monuments by strengthening the Antiquities Act. To do otherwise will threaten our iconic public lands and protection of our natural history.

Learn more about the latest public policy issues and how they affect our redwood forests.

Avatar for Shelana deSilva

About the author

Shelana recently joined Save the Redwoods League as the Director of Government Affairs and Public Funding. She has a strong track record helping national and statewide nonprofits develop partnerships, lead campaigns and initiatives, and secure public funding to achieve their missions.


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26 Responses to “Our National Monuments Need Your Voice Today”

  1. Coleman Byrnes

    Protect and enlarge national monuments. Coleman Byrnes. P.O. Box3231,Port Angeles WA, 98362

    Reply
  2. Lindy Bohlmann

    Resource: Earth.

    Reply
  3. phyl morello

    full protection of our natural environment & redwood forests

    Reply
  4. phyl morello

    full protection of our natural environment & national monuments

    Reply
  5. KAREN K MAYER

    I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.
    This bill would permanently protect more than 50 of America’s treasured monuments—including Giant Sequoia National Monument, which along with other protected lands, help fuel an $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, which sustains 7.6 million American jobs.
    This legislation preserves opportunities for hunting, tourism, scientific research, conservation, and cultural uses in national monuments and ensures monuments are properly resourced for stewardship and public access needs.
    I hope you will stand up and defend our national monuments by strengthening the Antiquities Act. To do otherwise will threaten our iconic public lands and protection of our natural history.

    Reply
  6. phyl

    My family & I strongly SUPPORT full protection of our natural environment & our redwood forests.

    Reply
  7. Laura Manz

    The treasure of our National Monuments cannot be replaced. They must be protected. Your voice and votes are needed to keep them safe from the rape and plunder of the White House agenda. Corporate profit, elimination of regulations designed to protect them…..it is a war of greed. Please use your votes in Congress to keep them safe for today and for future generations. Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Ray Furtak

    I support the Antiquities Act of 2019 and want you to also.

    Reply
  9. Marc Kiefer

    I strongly support the Antiquities Act
    Please support our Natural Resources
    Thank you

    Reply
  10. myra

    I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.
    This bill would permanently protect more than 50 of America’s treasured monuments—including Giant Sequoia National Monument, which along with other protected lands, help fuel an $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, which sustains 7.6 million American jobs.
    This legislation preserves opportunities for hunting, tourism, scientific research, conservation, and cultural uses in national monuments and ensures monuments are properly resourced for stewardship and public access needs.
    I hope you will stand up and defend our national monuments by strengthening the Antiquities Act. To do otherwise will threaten our iconic public lands and protection of our natural history.

    Reply
  11. Renae McKeon

    Our public monuments and public land belong to the people and should be protected.

    Reply
  12. Michael Dilger

    Thank you. The Redwoods and National Parks will be safe with me. :)

    Flourish,
    MD

    Reply
  13. DEBORAH SMITH

    I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.
    This bill would permanently protect more than 50 of America’s treasured monuments—including Giant Sequoia National Monument, which along with other protected lands, help fuel an $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, which sustains 7.6 million American jobs.
    This legislation preserves opportunities for hunting, tourism, scientific research, conservation, and cultural uses in national monuments and ensures monuments are properly resourced for stewardship and public access needs.
    I hope you will stand up and defend our national monuments by strengthening the Antiquities Act. To do otherwise will threaten our iconic public lands and protection of our natural history.

    Reply
  14. Gerald M Serventi

    It is absolutely critical for the well being of our country for current and future generations that this law be passed and if vetoed overridden. As a country we are smart enough to change our ways and find new ways to get along with out the minerals that would be mined in these locations.

    Reply
  15. Gerald M Serventi

    It is absolutely critical for the well being of our country for current and future generations that this law be passed and if vetoed overridden. As a country we are smart enough to change our ways and find new ways to get along with out the minerals that would be mined in these locations.

    Reply
  16. Karl Koessel

    I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.
    This bill would permanently protect more than 50 of America’s treasured monuments—including Giant Sequoia National Monument, which along with other protected lands, help fuel an $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, which sustains 7.6 million American jobs.
    This legislation preserves opportunities for hunting, tourism, scientific research, conservation, and cultural uses in national monuments and ensures monuments are properly resourced .ur national monuments by strengthening the Antiquities Act. To do otherwise will threaten our iconic public lands and protection of our natural history.

    Thank you for your attention to my opinion.

    Sincerely,

    Karl Koessel

    Reply
  17. Maryanne Jerome

    Nothing is more important than protecting our beautiful earth, especially the venerable old trees.

    Reply
  18. Mary Anne Mayer Redmond

    Thank you.

    Reply
  19. Caryl McClure

    I strongly support the Antiquities Act. I hope Congress will stand up and defend our National Monuments by strengthening
    the Antiquities Act

    Reply
  20. Caryl McClure

    I strongly support the Antiquities Act! I love the Redwoods and their beauty and the way being among these giants fills the soul.
    My grandchildren must be able to enjoy thus beauty too! Our parks feed the soul, fuel economic growth and a future that our Congress should keep for future generations. This act preserves and protects these public lands.

    Reply
  21. Joan Hoffman

    Redwoods are part of what makes the USA special. To be in their presence is to feel awe. They have been here longer than we have.. respecting them is respecting life itself

    Reply
  22. DOUG Harned

    Precious resources that can’t be found anywhere else on planet earth !! These big tree giants are rare and all efforts should be made to protect the trees at all costs . If America won’t save the remaining groves and trees , then pave the whole damn country !

    Reply
  23. Paul Warenycia

    I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.

    Reply
  24. Dee E. Warenycia

    I strongly support the ANTIQUITIES Act of 2019 and expect the U.S. Congress to protect our national monuments, as intended by the Antiquities Act for over a century.

    Reply
  25. Bruce Donnell

    I strongly support the Antiquities Act of 2029 and ask you to keep our national monuments intact and protected.

    Reply
  26. Blake Whatley O'Quinn

    America and the world needs now more than ever policies which protect all things of the natural world. This is vitally important because the rapacious Capitalism that is hell-bent on extraction for profit, regardless of the cost, is tantamount to the survival of a future in the very near term. Scientists have been studying many aspects of global warming for decades and the trend upholds their findings. All of this is more reason to favor protections of monuments and other wild areas from the effects of extraction and various forms related to climate change.

    Reply

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