lc0338 wrote:
pigman1 wrote:
64.9% of the state of Utah is Federal land. A bit much don't you think?
How much Utah is Public Land?
Yep, I agree. Both monuments were expanded by Obama and Clinton under the antiquities act, which was not intended for this purpose. Good to see the over_reach is being resolved.
Here is a quick version of the antiquities act -
President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act in 1906 largely to prevent looting of archaeological and Native American structures and objects. The purpose was to give the federal government an expeditious path to protect archeological sites.
archeological sites are not millions of acres
Section 2 of the antiquities below. Seems there are more resources to be protected than just archaeological sites. Also, I do not see any authorization for any President to shrink any monument. It should also be noted that the Federal Government actually owned 100% of the land prior to Utah becoming a State. The land belongs to the American people and part of it was ceded to Utah to become a State.
RichH
Section 2
That the President of the United States is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States to be national monuments, and may reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected: Provided, That when such objects are situated upon a tract covered by a bona fide unperfected claim or held in private ownership, the tract, or so much as thereof may be necessary for the proper care and management of the objects may be relinquished to the Government, and the Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized to accept the relinquishment of such tracts in behalf of the Government of the United States. (U.S.C., title 16, sec. 431.)
