We are disappointed that Congressman Mark Amodei has introduced legislation to remove the President's power to protect historic, prehistoric, and scientific resources.

This presidential ability is a critical part of the 1906 Antiquities Act for protecting America’s treasured cultural and scientific resources.The Antiquities Act has been utilized by both Republicans and Democrats to protect places like Devils Tower/Bears Lodge (1906, Pres. T. Roosevelt), Death Valley (1933, Pres. Hoover), and the Jackson Hole/Grand Tetons area (1943, Pres. FDR). During his first term, in 2018 President Trump proclaimed Camp Nelson National Monument in Kentucky.

While protections of these important resources may have been done legislatively, some of these sensitive resources may not survive lengthy Congressional battles.

Nevada’s newest monument, Avi Kwa Ame was a testament to a local, on-the-ground process that brought elected officials, rural communities, Tribal communities, and the outdoor recreation and conservation communities together to protect important cultural resource landscapes.

In Nevada, we hope Congressman Amodei will utilize his position on the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands to work with the rest of our Congressional delegation and Governor Lombardo along with a broad range of stakeholders to pass meaningful public lands bills to address both conservation and development needs the Nevada Way: together.

Photo: Meg Tait, Avi Kwa Ame National Monument