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Graham County board adopts resolution opposing unilateral use of Antiquities Act
Summary
The Graham County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Resolution 2025-01 urging Congress to repeal or restrict presidential authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act, citing local economic and consultation concerns.
The Graham County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt Resolution 2025-01 opposing what the board described as unilateral presidential designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906.
Supervisor David, Graham County Board of Supervisors, said large-scale national monument designations have in at least one recent case been made without notice to affected counties and local taxing authorities and that those actions can remove lands from multiple uses such as grazing, mining and timber. "The concern is... there was a mining operation that was going to provide a stream of income for Mohave County," Supervisor David said, arguing that some designations have been made "without consulting the Arizona Legislature or Mohave County."
Dustin Welker, Graham County manager, introduced the resolution as part of a broader push by several counties to press Congress to change how the Antiquities Act is used. The resolution calls on Congress either to repeal the Antiquities Act or to limit presidential discretion by requiring approval from affected local and state governments and Congress before designations take effect.
Board members discussed the example of a previously announced 110,000‑acre designation near the Grand Canyon that, according to the board, was proposed and approved without public meetings in all affected local jurisdictions. Supporters of the resolution said the county seeks a process that preserves local input and multiple uses of public lands.
The board moved to adopt Resolution 2025-01, labeled in the meeting record as "A Resolution of Graham County, Arizona Board of Supervisors opposing abuse of the Antiquities Act," and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote. The resolution text was read into the record at the meeting.
The resolution cites the Antiquities Act (1906) by name and urges Congressional action to restore a checking role for local governments and other stakeholders. The action does not itself alter federal land status; it registers the county's formal opposition and requests that Congress change the statutory process.
