New Fact Sheets Highlight the
Bi-Partisan Nature of National Monument Designations

Western Local Elected Officials Celebrate National Monuments in Their Backyards and Call on President Biden to Designate More National Monuments as Part of the America the Beautiful Initiative

The Mountain Pact, an organization that works with local elected officials in over 80 communities across the Western U.S., released fact sheets highlighting the nearly 100 national monuments in ten Western states that were designated by an equal number of Republican and Democratic presidents through the use of the Antiquities Act. The factsheets come after the Mountain Pact sent a letter to the Biden administration signed by over 115 Western local elected officials thanking the administration for the America the Beautiful initiative; restoring Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Northeast Canyons and Seamounts national monuments; and urging the president to use the Antiquities Act to protect more lands as national monuments.

In 1906, Congress passed the Antiquities Act, which created the first national historic preservation policy for the United States and ensured that the president can designate national monuments to protect natural, cultural, and historic sites, as well as waters and lands of great scientific value.

Since the act was passed, 18 presidents - nine Democratic and nine Republican - have designated or expanded 158 national monuments across the country. Presidents have exercised their authority under the Antiquities Act to create many iconic monuments including the Statue of Liberty, Bears Ears, Grand Canyon, Giant Sequoia, Muir Woods, Great Sand Dunes, Chimney Rock, among others.

What Mountain Pact Local Elected Officials Are Saying

Anna Peterson, Executive Director of The Mountain Pact said, “This was an eye-opening project. These fact sheets really highlight that historically, presidents from both parties have used the Antiquities Act to designate national monuments an equal number of times.  It’s rewarding to see how many of the important places that so many of us flock to and revere across the West have been protected by both Republican and Democratic presidents. We urge President Biden to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to protect more places with overwhelming local support like Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and Castner Range in Texas.”

Doña Ana County, New Mexico Commissioner Shannon Reynolds said, “Our county is grateful to have two national monuments and White Sands National Park, which started as a national monument, right in our backyard. Our local and regional economy has greatly benefited from the increased tourism generated by these national treasures like the nearly 500,000 acre Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks. Every day residents enjoy being able to recreate, rejuvenate, and recuperate in national monuments so close to home - especially over the past two years during the pandemic.”

City of Bellingham, Washington Council Member Michael Lilliquist said, “The San Juan Islands are part of our horizon and setting, part of our sense of place. We are thankful to have such a special place protected as a national monument both for visitors and residents - so many of whom love to visit San Juan Islands National Monument for weekend trips.”

Taos County, New Mexico Commissioner Darlene Vigil said, “As we enter the tenth year since RÍo Grande del Norte National Monument was established, I’ve reflected on how important this special place is to so many of the residents and visitors to Taos County. The mighty river and dramatic gorge often welcome many visitors to our community. We look to President Biden to establish more national monuments so that other communities are able to enjoy the many benefits that come with having a national monument in their region."

City of Salida, Colorado Mayor Dan Shore said, “Salida residents love living near the pristine and ruggedly beautiful Browns Canyon National Monument. Running the canyon with one of our many experienced rafting outfitters is quite the thrill! Residents and visitors take great comfort in knowing that the canyon will be preserved in perpetuity for future generations.”

City of Flagstaff, Arizona Council Member Jim McCarthy said, “We are lucky to have so many national monuments within an hour of our community like the remarkable Wupatki National Monument established by President Coolidge; Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument created by President Hoover; Walnut Canyon National Monument designated by President Wilson; Tuzigoot National Monument established by FDR; and Montezuma Castle National Monument established by President Teddy Roosevelt. Even Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world's seven wonders, was first designated as a national monument by a Republican president. Protecting public lands by  establishing national monuments has always been a bi-partisan effort and one that all Americans can celebrate.”

City of Las Cruces, New Mexico Mayor Pro Tem Emeritus Gill Sorg said, “The City of Las Cruces is fortunate to have two national monuments - Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Presitoric Trackways, and one national park that started as a national monument - White Sand Dunes, near our community. We have seen economic benefits from having protected public lands in our backyard. In fact, we are so grateful for these national monuments, we passed a resolution supporting the establishment of a nearby Castner Range National Monument. We hope President Biden will use his authority soon to declare Castner Range our country’s newest national monument."

Clark County, Nevada Commissioner Justin Jones said, “As we’ve seen over the past two years, access to public lands is more vital to our health and well-being than we ever thought. The full Clark County Commission recently passed a supportive resolution and joined the overwhelming local support for the establishment of Avi Kwa Ame as a national monument. We urge President Biden to use his authority soon, under the Antiquities Act, to make Avi Kwa Ame a national monument.”