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Emery County adopts resolution opposing 'abuse' of the Antiquities Act and urges congressional action
Summary
Commissioners passed a resolution expressing opposition to unilateral large‑scale national monument designations under the Antiquities Act, urging congressional oversight or repeal and requesting that designation decommissions be limited without congressional approval.
Emery County commissioners voted on March 18 to adopt a resolution opposing what the board described as abuse of the Antiquities Act of 1906 and calling on Congress to reassert oversight of large‑scale monument designations.
The resolution, based on a model circulated by other counties, states that the Antiquities Act "has been misused by political purposes" and that monument designations can limit multiple uses of public lands and harm local economies reliant on grazing, recreation and resource industries. The text asks Congress either to repeal or restrict unilateral presidential designation authority and to require consultation with affected local governments. The resolution also requests that any decommissioning authority remain limited to small parcels without congressional approval for large areas.
Commission discussion referenced prior court and legislative history, and one commissioner said congressional action to limit executive discretion would be an appropriate remedy. The board moved and approved the resolution during the meeting.
