The Health and Future of Our Public Lands Are Under Attack in Congress
Ensuring healthy landscapes, clean water, and abundant wildlife habitat is critical for the well-being of our communities today and for generations to come.
Despite the vital importance of protecting our public lands and waters, some members of Congress have introduced concerning amendments to H.R. 4821, the House Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2024, that will have a profound impact on from national monuments and the oil and gas reforms to mineral withdrawals.
Here is a list of what is at risk:
The Antiquities Act of 1906: This critical conservation law empowers presidents to designate naturally, culturally, or historically significant federal lands or waters as national monuments. The tool has bipartisan support and has been used by 18 presidents – nine Democrats and nine Republicans - since its establishment. Rep. Andy Ogles from Tennessee introduced an amendment prohibiting funding, which will destroy one of the most important tools we have to preserve our nation's lands and waters. Additionally, Congressman Doug LaMalfa's amendment would prohibit funding for the establishment or modification of any national monuments under the Antiquities Act in Colusa County, California.
America's newest National Monument: On August 8, 2023, President Biden designated the Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument in Arizona, protecting almost one million acres of public lands around the Grand Canyon National Park from uranium mining. This proclamation was celebrated by Tribes, local communities, outdoor enthusiasts, conservation organizations, and more. Yet, Arizona Rep. Gosar introduced an amendment that would prevent the designation and protection of this significant site, threatening cultural, historical, and natural resources in the region, as well as the health of the Grand Canyon's watershed.
Long-overdue oil and gas reforms: Rep. Lauren Opal Boebert from Colorado introduced an amendment that would stop the finalization, implementation, and enforcement of the Bureau of Land Management's onshore oil and gas leasing rule. When finalized, this rule will apply reforms to the oil and gas program, including updating fiscal terms, royalties, and raising bond minimums to ensure oil and gas operators pay the full cost of plugging and mitigating wells when they stop producing and reclaiming the surrounding land. This amendment passed without a roll call vote.
Fiscal reforms to the oil and gas leasing program: Rep. Andy Ogles from Tennessee introduced an amendment that would block the implementation of critical fiscal reforms to the oil and gas leasing system that were passed in the Inflation Reduction Act. The reforms ensure that publicly-owned resources are not being sold off at bargain basement prices. This amendment passed.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park: As requested by a coalition of Tribal governments, including the Hopi Tribe and the All Pueblo Council of Governors, the Department of Interior Department enacted a 20-year withdrawal of federal lands within 10 miles of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park from oil and gas leasing. Rep. Eli Crane’s misguided amendment would block the implementation of this Public Land Order, leaving irreplaceable cultural, historic, and natural resources vulnerable to oil and gas development. This amendment failed in the vote.
Salary cut for federal government officials who take care of our lands: The Department of the Interior, EPA, and other agencies are responsible for protecting our public lands and waters, air, and water are critical for delivering popular programs and life-saving benefits to communities across the country. Rep. Lauren Opal Boebert from Colorado, Rep. Eli Crane from Arizona, Rep. Rich McCormick from Georgia and Rep. Ralph Norman from South Carolina introduced amendments to arbitrarily and punitively cut salaries for federal government officials and to undermine efforts to safeguard our public resources and communities.
HECHO firmly opposes these misguided and devious amendments to H.R. 4821, the House Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024, and urged the Senate to reject these provisions.
HECHO joined other organizations that signed this letter to Congress.