May 11, 2017

As directed by the President’s Executive Order 13792, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is conducting a review of certain national monuments created or expanded since January 1, 1996 under the Antiquities Act, in order to ensure the monuments were designated in accordance with the original objectives and requirements of the Act.

On May 11, DOI published a notice asking for public comments related to 27 National Monuments, including 5 Marine National Monuments, which cover more than 100,000 acres or may have been designated without sufficient public outreach and stakeholder coordination. The Marine National Monuments are being reviewed by the Department of Commerce (DOC), in consultation with DOI.

To ensure consideration, comments on the Bears Ears National Monument must be submitted before May 26, and comments related to all other national monuments under review must be submitted before July 10. Written comments may be submitted online here.

AGI submitted a letter to DOI in support of maintaining Bears Ears National Monument.

Sources: National Parks Service, Office of the Federal Register, White House Office of the Press Secretary