Germonique R. Ulmer, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Tuesday, March 25, 2014 2:30 pm

New legislation in the House of Representatives would tangle up our best public lands conservation tool in red tape.

On Thursday, the House will vote on H.R. 1459, which would dismantle the Antiquities Act of 1906. Join us TODAY in making sure that vote is a resounding “No!”

H.R. 1459, dubbed the “Preventing New Parks” bill, undermines the president’s ability to act swiftly to preserve lands of public interest through national monument designation. The Grand Canyon, Acadia, Chaco Canyon and Olympic National Parks are just a few of our most cherished places first protected under the Antiquities Act. President Obama created national monuments at Virginia’s Fort Monroe and Colorado’s Chimney Rock with strong public support — including thousands of you.

H.R. 1459 has three major provisions:

It places arbitrary limits on the number of monuments a president can designate using the Antiquities Act
It requires Congress to approve, for the first time, monument designations
It creates unprecedented roadblocks to swift presidential action
Join our effort to protect the Antiquities Act. Ask your representative today to vote no on H.R. 1459.

Together, we can stop this major threat to our public lands and our heritage.

Thank you.

Germonique R. Ulmer
Vice President, Public Affairs