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Latest Posts tagged with "Antiquities Act of 1906"

Your Newest National Monument: Virginia’s Fort Monroe designated at last!

November 1, 2011 By William H. Meadows

Supporters of Fort Monroe National Monument

Credit: Lindsey Levick

What does Fort Monroe, Virginia, have in common with places like Arizona’s Canyon de Chelly and Colorado’s Canyon of the Ancients? These days quite a lot. That’s because Fort Monroe was officially designated the nation’s newest national monument on Nov. 1. Now this old civil war fort joins the ranks of highly celebrated historic and natural sites managed by National Park Service.  Region:  Northeast Read more

Controversy over Antiquities Act and National Monuments makes little sense

March 1, 2010 By Kevin Mack

Agua Fria National Monument, Arizona. Courtesy BLM.

Recently, some members of Congress have attempted to create controversy with an anonymous leak of an “Internal Draft — NOT FOR RELEASE” memo within the Department of Interior. The leaked memo contained a list of 14 areas in nine states that might be worthy of being designated as national monuments under the Antiquities Act. The memo clearly stated, “further evaluations should be completed prior to any final decision, including an assessment of public and Congressional support.” Read more

Presidential Legacies: The Antiquities Act and the Pacific

January 9, 2009 By Kevin Mack

Johnston Atoll, one of several areas protected under President Bush's use of the Antiquities Act. Courtesy EPA.

The outgoing president has been up to some last minute attacks on the environment. That is no surprise to some. However, President Bush’s use of the Antiquities Act to protect a large area of the western Pacific Ocean as a National Monument may also be a surprise to some, and it should be commended. He continues a presidential tradition of using the Act to protect some of the nation’s most spectacular natural and cultural resources. In fact, only three presidents since the passage of the Act in 1906 — Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and George H.W. Read more