Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bill would limit president’s power over monuments

Idaho Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, both Republicans, introduced legislation Thursday to limit presidential power related to the designation of national monuments. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., is also a co-sponsor. According to a press release from Crapo, the bill comes in advance of new designations likely to be made by the Obama administration during the next two years, potentially including the Boulder-White Clouds in Idaho. The National Monument Designation Transparency and Accountability Act, S. 228, would require congressional approval before any new national monument designations are finalized. It would also require legislation authorizing the decision from any state in which a proposed monument is located. In addition, the bill states that the secretary of the interior shall not implement any restrictions on public use of a national monument until the expiration of a review period providing for public input and congressional approval...more

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