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Graham County adopts resolution opposing unilateral use of Antiquities Act
Summary
The Graham County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Resolution 2025-01 urging Congress to limit presidential discretion under the Antiquities Act and to require consultation with local stakeholders before large national monument designations.
The Graham County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 21 unanimously approved Resolution 2025-01 opposing what the board called unilateral use of the Antiquities Act by the president to designate large national monuments without local input.
Supporters said the resolution seeks to require congressional and local approval for large-scale land designations. "I'm just opposed ... to having it be done unilaterally so that there's no consultation with any of the local agencies or taxing authorities," Supervisor David said, describing past designations made without meetings in affected counties. He said the board supports preserving land but objects to what he called lost local voice and potential removal of multiple uses such as grazing, mining and logging.
The nut graf: the resolution asks Congress to repeal or amend the 1906 Preservation of American Antiquities Act so that monuments are not designated solely by presidential proclamation and so that impacted state and local governments and Congress be involved in the process.
In debate, members said they favor protected areas in principle but want a formal role for local governments and affected communities. "There's no check, there's no ... balance," Supervisor David said, adding examples the board views as harmful to local economies.
The board read the full text into the record. Resolution 2025-01 states that the Antiquities Act was intended for emergency protection of artifacts and sites of scientific value, but that modern large designations can "sequester and remove public lands for most productive uses" and harm local economies. The resolution calls on Congress to repeal the statute or, at minimum, remove unilateral presidential discretion and require approval from affected local and state governments and Congress.
The motion to adopt the resolution passed with all supervisors voting in favor. The board directed the county manager to include the resolution in county correspondence with regional county coalitions and to file it as part of the county's legislative priorities.
The measure generated several minutes of discussion and was presented to the board by Supervisor David, who said the resolution aligns with a county coalition's concerns about monument designations that affect leases and local revenue streams.
The resolution was adopted Jan. 2025 by the Graham County Board of Supervisors.
