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Congresswoman Virginia Foxx offered an amendment to the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act yesterday that would require presidential monument designations provided for under the Antiquities Act to be approved by the state legislatures and governors in states where the proposed monument is located.

Lawmakers passed Rep. Foxx’s amendment and the House passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act 274 – 146.

“Currently, a national monument designation allows for the president unilaterally to impose further restrictions on the use of federal lands without consulting the states affected by the designation. This amendment adds a layer of accountability to the process by requiring the approval of the legislatures and governors of the states where monuments are proposed to be located,” Rep. Foxx said.

“Following concern over a leaked draft internal Department of the Interior memo in 2010 outlining 17 potential sites for the president to exercise the Antiquities Act authorities, applying to over 13 million acres in 11 western states, President Obama stated that he will consult state authorities when considering use of these restrictions which can impact the economic, recreational, energy development, agricultural, and environmental opportunities of a state. My amendment builds on this consensus about the importance of local and state input in this process,” Foxx concluded.

More information: 

FOX News: House bill increases hunter access to public lands