Bishop Wrongly Claims National Monuments Rescindable
National monument designations by presidents have protected many iconic places, some of which later became national parks (including Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion). But last week Congressman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) falsely claimed the Trump administration can legally rescind these historic presidential land protections. He said he'd like to see Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, designated by President Clinton, dissolved.
"In Rob Bishop's world, lands owned by all Americans should be taken over by those who see them as nothing but a source of profit," said the Center's Randi Spivak. "Fortunately there are laws protecting places like national monuments -- Rep. Bishop either doesn't understand or doesn't respect them."
Congress gave presidents authority to designate national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906 -- which doesn't authorize revocation.
Read more in our press release.