Today, U.S. President Joe Biden announced he will use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate two new national monuments totaling approximately one million acres of land in California. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"In the waning days of his failed administration, President Biden is again bending to the demands of radical environmentalists without considering the long-term consequences of his actions. The federal government should be focused on addressing issues like the $35.5 billion maintenance backlog on our federal lands, instead of advancing an unscientific 30x30 agenda. It's concerning that this administration continues to abuse laws like the Antiquities Act while ignoring the voices of local communities. I look forward to working in the 119th Congress to reverse Biden’s radical policies and ensure key management decisions return to the local people who know these lands best."

Background

Today, the Biden administration created two new California national monuments under the Antiquities Act. The abuse of this authority represents a pattern of behavior from this administration and comes in the final days of Biden's time in power. 

Committee Republicans have previously expressed concern over similar actions and highlighted the need for solutions to improve management of existing federal lands, rather than locking up lands under the poorly defined 30x30 Initiative. 

Chairman Westerman remains committed to responsible management of our federal lands and will work in the 119th Congress to help curtail abuses of the Antiquities Act.