Support for Antiquities Act Amendment

Use of the Antiquities Act to designate hundreds of thousands of acres of land across the western United States as national monuments is a concern to livestock industries due to the impact on multiple uses of federal lands, including sheep grazing.

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) was joined by 15 western livestock organizations in sending a letter to Rep. Devin Nunes (Calif.) thanking him for his leadership in introducing the National Monument Designation Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010.

This amendment to the Antiquities Act is timely given the potential consideration of millions of acres of new monuments by the U.S. Department of Interior, as recently publicized. This provision would ensure thoughtful congressional debate, input from the local stakeholders affected by the proposed designation, a thorough economic analysis and complete transparency throughout the process.

Sheep ranchers not only produce food and fiber to feed and clothe the nation and the world, they also serve as stewards of our nation's public lands and are important contributors to rural communities.