Antiquities Act

The legal opinion released Tuesday disavows a 1938 determination that monuments created by previous president can’t be revoked.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has ordered federal officials to review and consider redrawing the boundaries of national monuments created under previous presidents to protect unique landscapes and cultural resources. The order is part of President Donald Trump's push to expand U.S. energy production.

Since 1906, all but three presidents have used the Antiquities Act to protect unique landscapes and cultural resources. Biden has signed off on six monuments and either restored or enlarged boundaries for a handful of others during his term.

Bears Ears National Monument in southeast Utah has been at the center of political fights over public land in recent years. The upcoming presidential election threatens to continue escalating that tug-of-war.

The move follows calls from tribal nations, Indigenous community leaders and others for the permanent protection of nearly 120,000 acres of important cultural and environmental land.

The latest Utah news from Tuesday evening, January 26, 2021.

Separate bills are active in Congress to alternately strengthen or weaken the law used to create national monuments.House Democrats have introduced a bill…

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says he received a surprise phone call from President Donald Trump Friday about shrinking the Bears Ears National Monument. In a…

Republicans and Democrats began wrangling over national monuments Wednesday in the form of a bill by Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah.Bishop, who’s chairman of the…

Jonathan Till was examining some new donations - a basket, a ladle, a flute and clay pots - back when I met him last year.“Normally, we don't take things…

Democratic State Senator Jim Dabakis is in Washington D.C. this week and will be meeting with White House officials on Friday to give his unique…